Arundel Books

I believed I had reviewed this the last time I was here, but I suppose not. There are many vibrant and elegant bookstores in Seattle, places that are soothing not simply for purchasing books but for staying a while and basking in the contemplative serenity of the space, and this is one of them. The classic Beaux Artsy Seattle building in which this store is located, with the classical columns and the arched ceiling and the general feeling of cleanliness and refinement, is a large part of the draw, but the store deserves credit for repurposing the building in a way that makes sense and feels organic. This is the kind of adaptive reuse that should be promoted in Seattle and other American cities with relatively more historic downtowns. As much as I appreciate and respect a lot of the newer development that has accelerated throughout the city in the last 20 or so years, there is a kind of artistry to these old buildings that is rarely replicated. The selection is quite vibrant, with a mix of best sellers and older classics and books that very much fit the specific Seattle area, and the employees are extremely caring and helpful. If you are a book lover and you are wandering through downtown Seattle, coming here is highly recommended.

A really nice bookstore in the Pioneer Square area of Seattle. The space itself is gorgeous with a really beautiful interior. Well organized bookshelves hold a large variety of books. Helpful staff, fair prices. A must visit!

What a beautiful bookstore! I was trying to kill time on a Friday afternoon and decided I wanted a blank journal. I saw the journals the minute I walked in, but it felt rude to just buy that and leave, so I spent some time perusing. What started as an obligatory walkthrough instead became a battle with myself not to buy every single book they had. The selection is perfect; I ended up leaving with 3 novels, a bookmark (to replace the folded piece of foil I’ve been using for months,) and the journal I originally came for. (The journals, by the way, are locally made and absolutely gorgeous.) The staff is also very friendly. Highly recommend!

So so beautiful! I have been looking forward to seeing this bookshop all the way from Australia after seeing it recommended in a few YouTube videos. Excellent mixture of new and used books, and honestly, the aesthetic is enough in itself to visit! I picked up an Emily St John Mandel book to add to my collection. LOVE Seattle, and love this bookshop.

Such a fun bookstore. It had a mix of old and new books, both used and new. Found a couple of really cool finds there. The owner was also so kind and so knowledgeable. Told myself and another patron about so many things. We discussed everything from nonfiction to fantasy to au to poetry. When I walked in there, it felt like I was becoming part of a family. I really wish I could have stayed longer.

Great bookstore with fantastic selection. We spent some time browsing while killing time before an Underground tour. A beautiful bright space with a friendly staff. I would happily recommend Arundel Books to anyone.

Love this independent bookstore! Gives vibes of beauty and the beast library with tall bookshelves antique books, new books and used books. The proprietor was very helpful.