Keeping this review short and sweet to match the small footprint yet amazing selection of this hidden, off the beaten path gem of a bookstore. I grew up regularly getting birthday gifts for friends from Magnolia's Bookstore. Yes, I was THAT kid who brought books to the party xD prob explains why I'm so verbose now ;P I digress... I get warm and fuzzies thinking back to childhood memories walking in, feeling welcome (I think a classmate's mom possibly worked here at that time, OR we truly visited frequently enough that we were indeed familiar customers), and taking our time browsing the wide selection to pick the just-right book. Today, when I visit my parents in Magnolia, I will always take any opportunity to step into the shop and step back in time. I feel as welcome as ever, and I kid you not -- it smells just as it did 2.5+ decades ago. Books aren't marked up, so value is standard, and it sure does feel good to support LOCAL. They still have their neon blue complimentary book marks. I sure hope they still provide wrapping services with fun, thin, curly ribbons placed on top like a dollop of whipped cream. If you're in Magnolia and still enjoy the feel of turning literal pages, stop by to find something to keep your nose in! read more

Magnolia's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

When I decided to reduce plastic waste in my household four years ago, I had to target my biggest source of plastic waste: Amazon plastic envelopes. Amazon had been an indispensable way to purchase books and anything at all. The unfortunate side of that is: LOTS OF PLASTIC WASTE. Not to mention trigger consumption! It's so easy to purchase anything. Just press a button and it's at your house in a day or two. This convenience is burying us. When I confronted this egregious source of plastic waste, we began ordering books from Magnolia's Bookstore and haven't looked back. They have a phone number you can call! If they don't have a book you want, you can order it! Sometimes I had to wait. And you know what? We didn't suffer! We had something to look forward to. We have done this a number of times - even when the prices are higher. Convenient and plastic things are cheaper on the front end, but far more expensive on the back end. For wildlife. For the ocean. For our health. Plastic is forever. There is no away. It continues to break down and complicate so many natural life cycles and ecosystems. So yeah, I am happy to pay the extra $$, and support our local bookstore in the process - especially Magnolia's bookstore! When my books come, they are delivered in a cardboard box from the publisher. A fantastic sustainable solution to packaging! The employees at Magnolia's bookstore are incredibly warm and friendly. They will wrap your books in beautiful paper if you want! Free of charge! They sell paper gift certificates, and even have a rewards program that earns me a free book every now and again! What's more, the store has a conscience! This year Magnolia's Bookstore is donating a $50 gift certificate to Magnolia's first ever "Reuse Raffle", in support of Earth Month! If you attend Magnolia's Vino in the Village event in April (discovermagnolia.com) and bring your own wine glass, you'll not only reduce Magnolia's single-use plastic waste footprint, but you'll earn a chance to win a gift certificate from Magnolia's Bookstore (your wine will taste better in glass too, so I'm told). I value a store that supports reuse in this way. I will definitely bring my own wine glass knowing I could potentially win a gift certificate for my favorite bookstore!! Viva local bookstores!! Thanks Magnolia's Bookstore for the wonderful things you for our community, and the planet! read more

They sold our twelve year old daughter a 'young adult' book that had explicitly sexual content and staff seemed unconcerned. "Exactly where you need to be" By Amelia Diane Combs. It was a healthy and wholesome representation of sex between teenagers - consensual, condoms, etc - and the book covers other important topics, but some warning would've been a responsible thing to do. If you're going to talk sex to a kid (sorry 'Young adult') then it seems to me that, the mindful thing to do would be to give a heads up to the reader/parents. I like local bookstores, and might drop by that store again from time to time - but I got little sense that they cared about being responsible to the neighborhood that they are in: not sure why shopping Amazon wouldn't be the moral equivalent in this regard. read more

I adore this small neighborhood bookstore. The selection is well curated. They have a nice collection of children's books and I love their spiritual and cooking sections as well. I come here whenever I need a thoughtful gift and my kids get a book from here at least two or three times a year for holidays. Some of the most unique and interesting reads I've purchased for myself and others have come from the Magnolia bookstore. It's worth the trek into Magnolia and to sweeten the deal you should grab your new book and head next door to the French bakery and get lost reading for a couple of hours. read more

See all

Nice small local bookstore featuring the latest greatest hits. Right out the door, good coffee and benches for good reading.

I have walked past this bookstore whenever I'm in Magnolia and during the holidays, I finally checked it out. Smiles are contagious here. The staff there are wonderful and have the biggest smiles. Definitely a welcoming place to find yourself in. The space is a little tight, but that doesn't effect being able to explore the different sections of books. No pun intended, but the volume of books here is rather massive. You'll be able to find whatever you're looking for. I fell in love with their selection of cooking books. My goal is to come back in the next couple of months to find my next cookbook to add to my collection. read more

Magnolia Books is great! When we first moved to Magnolia, our friends gave us all these suggestions on places to visit, things to do. One of the best was Magnolia Books. We use to stop in here once a week and look at the new additions, as well as the magazines. I know some people love Elliott Bay downtown, or Third Place up in Lake Forest Park, and these are all good bookstores; but for us it has always been Magnolia Books. There is something unique about going into a small bookstore. A friendly hello from behind the counter, the putting aside a favorite author's new book, or just getting lost with some unfamiliar titles. Magnolia Books even carries the required reading books for the local High Schools and Catharine Blaine K-8. Try that at the big box book retailers. A nice place, that's worth the trip! read more

Love this little bookstore. The folks who run it are rest and wonderful with kids. Speaking of which, the section of children's books is wonderfully oversized for the square footage of the store. Oh, and they wrap gifts for free. read more

I know it's small, and I know the selection can be limited, but the sincerity and the enthusiasm by the people who work here and own this store far outweighs these facts. The reasons why I believe strongly in Magnolia's Bookstore: I've always been welcome to call ahead to order a book they don't stock (no extra charge), they call when the book is in, they will gladly wrap the book if it's a gift, and they offer a frequent buyer card that gives points toward free books! What more can a book lover ask for? I would so much prefer to support my sweet little locally owned independent bookstore- because I believe in them, and they have supported my love of literature in lovely ways. read more

I didn't dream they'd have the children's book I was hunting down for a gift so I called a bigger independent store and they didn't have it in stock. I called down the street to Magnolia Book Store and they had it and were willing to hold it for me. This is a deceptively brilliant book shop, small but well stocked and staffed. It's a terrific place to browse and so is the neighborhood. They have a terrific selection of books for a small place and can order in anything that is in print they don't have on their shelves. These brick and mortar shops are the backbone of our community and we need to get off-line and not just romanticize the local independent book shop. Go spend some money in one today! read more

Best little neighborhood book shop! Helpful staff, great selection, wonderful bakery next store, and pleasant outdoor seating to enjoy reading your new book. read more

I've been coming here for fifteen plus years. They have a solid selection of books in store, and are always willing to give some great recommendations. They are also able to order almost any book into the store for you to pick up. Just recently I pre-ordered a book to get on its release date (part of one of my favorite series), and was delighted that the bookstore managed to get it in a week early. In addition, the women who work at Magnolia's Bookstore are always very nice and helpful. I love that as a frequent customer they keep track of my purchases and help me build up rewards points to use in store. I recommend stopping here for any book shopping or browsing if you are in the area. read more

I was in for the second time today. It's a bit bigger than it looks from the outside. The selection is great; they carry a pretty wide range of books and magazines. Children's section is very impressive. They have a small but very unique selection of greeting cards. I appreciated that when it comes to most series, they seem to have the entire series. So frustrating when a store only carries 1 or 2 books of a series. Employees were warm, courageous and very knowledgeable and I felt welcome to simply browse. Prices are quite reasonable. Great hours. On street parking. read more

We love this neighborhood bookstore! It's well lit and cozy, child friendly, and offers a solid selection for just about any reading level and interest. Plus, they gift wrap, tolerate browsing with cheer, and offer a frequent buyer discount program. I love to shop here! read more

Very family friendly with a warm staff and well-cultivated selection. This store supplies me with most of my book gifts for others, and I have never left empty-handed. They will source (almost) anything by request within a few business days, if it is not on their shelves. The limited space seems more of a plus, since it appears what they do choose to carry is intelligent and well-balanced. So, less time is spent digging through fluff. Great store! read more

Such a cute and wonderful local bookstore! Great if your shopping for a gift or just something to read on a rainy day. They are sure to have something for everyone! read more

What everyone else has said: I love this bookstore. There is an excellent selection, the atmostphere is cozy, and they gift wrap for free. They will also order books for you, which I often do in order to give them as much business as possible. The staff are kind and helpful, and sweet with our children. Stop in here! read more

Fantastic store with great books and the people working there are wonderful. Whenever I need a recommendation the helpful staff is at the ready... Kathy is great at helping navigate the plethora of books to find just the "right read" for the occasion. We are so lucky to have a gem of a shop like this in Magnolia so let's support them! read more

Although small, this cozy bookstore has a great selection of kids books, a decent stock of classics, and newer stuff as well. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. If they don't have it in stock, they will order it doe you. They gift wrap for free, and they definitely know books! A nice little place to stop by in The Village. read more

This small bookstore is one I frequented for most of my childhood. If I could have lived there, I would have! Though the selection is small, it is made up for my the willingness of the wonderful staff to order anything for you, or to endlessly discuss which books they think you might like. They know your name, they know what books you've bought in the past and they will always wrack their brains to give you a good recommendation. As far as local bookstores go, this will always be my favorite!! read more

We love Magnolia Book Store. If they don't have a book you want, give them a call and it usually arrives the next day along with a friendly phone call letting you know it is in. You can't beat it for next day delivery with no shipping charge. When I hear people on the radio say they use online bookstores for the speed of getting the book they want, it bewilders me. You may pay more for the book than online but the money goes to supporting a local business and keeping the neighborhood vibrant rather than to stockholders. The employees always have good advice for book selections and know the personal tastes of my family members. My son has grown up in that book store and always is welcomed with cheer. AND THEY WRAP THE BOOKS FOR FREE NO MATTER THE TIME OF YEAR! read more

I love this bookstore! Friendly and knowledgeable staff and a wonderful "recommended reading" section. If they don't have what you're looking for they'll quickly get it for you and call you when it's in. It's the perfect neighborhood bookstore! read more

This is the best bookstore ever! The displayed books and great suggestions results in fabulous finds. Also, if they don't have it, they can get it quickly, and always in perfect condition (which is very different than the experience I've had with that on-line ordering & delivery place). Thank you for being in the neighborhood. You are much appreciated! read more

Super convenient for local residents. Not large, but well stocked and very clean. Kids enjoy perusing the children's section. Ladies working here are always nice. read more