A wonderful selection of books. A great vibe and fantastic helpful staff. So fun to explore the treasure of used books. I always enjoy a visit here, even if I don't have any book in mind to purchase. I thInk the prices of used books is fair compared with other used bookstores. Buy in person and help the economy of downtown Port Townsend. read more

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How I love book stores! Let me count the ways... I found a book for myself, a book for my grandson & John found a book too! I think Winnie the Pooh is going to stay at my house for when Riley visits! Two big rooms filed with books, books & more books. Clearly labeled sections made it easy to navigate. I even spotted John's favorite sections before he did & let him know- pssst- military history, history, American history... Here's your section. I wandered & found a cooking book & children's books. Happy purchases! read more

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Very friendly! LOTS of books. Looked up numerous books for me and knew right where certain books were. Would definitely visit again. read more

This bookstore has been a treat for me to visit. But I have been disappointed in this last year. When the store expanded it lost its uniqueness.. it doesn't smell like old books any longer. The main product seems to be remainders and the selection of used books has dwindled. William James has lost its uniqueness for me. read more

Large new & used bookstore. I find I purchase mostly from their new section which has great recommendations. The used section could use some fresh inventory. The staff is always helpful and pleasant and prices are good. read more

Huge, well organized selection. I always find more than I came for. The feel of being in a real book store, something so natural, so deeply rooted in the experience of being here. For some reason I always feel better, calmer after being here. read more

Okay, this is by far my favorite used bookstore! I never leave without buying at least one book, sometimes more, And they have really expanded, and there are nice chairs to relax in while I enjoy the massive selection of used books, something for everyone in this bookstore, make it a stop when you go to Port Townsend. Oh yes, and the help at the front desk was so pleasurable, this young girl had class and personality just radiating from her, seems kind of rare these days for some reason, she could easily teach a class on pubic relations in retail, I was in awe. read more

This store is a must-visit whenever I go to Port Townsend -- I always walk away with at least one book in hand.

If you're looking for a place to shop for books while in PT, this is the place. Very large selection, well organized, decent prices. Make sure to bring your own bag for your haul! read more

best bookstore ever! they have banned books you can't find anywhere!!! love love love

Great place! Treasures abound in a beautiful space full of well curated new and used books in fine condition.

An update. Actually, an upbeat update... William James- Bookseller has been purchased. Its gonna live on forever, or at least for the foreseeable forever...and that is why they call this town "Dream City." If you can dream it, you can do it in Port Townsend. Seriously. I popped by the bookstore today. Expecting the worst. Expecting empty shelves, silly mass-produced greeting cards. A porcelain flying pig or two. With "Port Townsend" bolding stamped on its shiny made-in-some-unsupervised-factory-by-poorly-paid-people side. (Hey! No one has enough piggy banks.) Not so. Longtime Port Townsend resident Paul Stafford purchased the store in December. Was right there, elbow to elbow with the old staff. Was selecting interesting books to stock the store's shelves. And chatting with his new and old customers. Just like the days of yesteryear. I purchased two books. One was an ancient copy of the classical children's book "Dick Whittington's Cat." The other, a complete guide to the Native Americans of the Northwest. Paid for these two precious volumes with a twenty dollar bill. Received change. (Heads up, Mr Frugal!) Less that $20.00! This is your wake up call. This is a town which knows how to handle cliffs, fiscal or otherwise: WILLIAM JAMES-BOOKSELLER is alive and well, and open for business in Port Townsend, WA. 98368. On Water Street. See you there! read more

I used to patronize this store for many many years and so did a great many of my friends and their families. But to day when I went there to ask them if they were interested in buying a book, I got a nasty look from the dark haired thin woman at the counter. Not only was I treated in a rude manner, but she was dismissive condescending and snarky. As if my book, was not up to the literary types. This author is world wide and her books are not in high demand. But this woman refused and found fault in my books. I have told this to a number of people, and sad to say that they have lost 10% of their business. This is why locals and visitors will go to Kitsap and will not patronize downtown stores because of the total disregard of customer service. read more

A killer browsing bookstore. I could have walked around all day. The used book prices were great and it seemed like many of the new titles were at a crazy reduced price. I really like it there and will be back next time I'm in Port Townsend read more

In a world that seems to be saying goodbye to many of the great bookstores this is becoming more and more of a rare gem. Fairly well laid out with a wide selection, Seems to be very reasonably priced. it is always a pleasure to shop here when I am in Port Townsend. So far I have always managed to find something unique or unusual. I have gotten signed and numbered calligraphy booklets on the Hebrew Alphabet which I can tell you is something you do not see everyday. And the latest find on the ancient sites on the Island of Malta had some interesting pictures I have seen from no other source. Hope this store manages to hang on a long time because I hope to grace their door each time I'm in Port Townsend. read more

Don't be fooled by the small entryway - like the TARDIS, this bookstore is much bigger on the inside. I entered on a whim, nearing the end of a full day of shopping, and was immediately struck by two things: the delightful, unmistakable smell of many old books, and the sight of shelf after shelf stretching back into the shop, so far back that I couldn't see the end (thanks in part to the many people already there and browsing the shelves). I got lost for a while just exploring, finding many unexpected treasures along the way. My fiancee had to find me in the end, and I realized I had stayed past closing. Despite my tardiness, the girl at the front was very friendly and helpful, and we chatted for a bit before I (reluctantly) left. I left with a signed copy of a book for my daughter and a very affordable first edition of an old favourite, but I know there's more there to find. As a former bookstore worker myself, I can be a little picky about the bookstores I like. I can already tell that I'll be back to the Williams James bookshop on my next visit to Port Townsend...and I'll leave myself more time to explore! read more

There is no better place to buy or sell your books. The staff is knowledgeable, the inventory is vast, and the ambiance is magical. read more

Who doesn't go on a vacation and spend their time in bookstores? I loved this place. I spent several hours wandering around. I think I ended up buying... 5 or 6 books. LOVE a used bookstore & they had an amazing selection. The store staff was also fantastic! & the store had really great big comfy chairs to read in. What a bookstore should be :) read more

I find it amazing that no one has reviewed William James yet. Simply one of the best used and antiquarian bookstores in the Northwest, with a comfortable old-fashioned atmosphere conducive to browsing and fine local history and Western Americana sections. Few afternoons are as rich and rewarding as those spent browsing at William James after a liesurely lunch at the Silverwater. read more

I absolutely loved this book store. It's a small shop, but packed floor to ceiling with books that add up to quite a large collection. They specialize in collectible type books- first editions, signed and leatherbound options, but there is also a plethora of used hardcover and paperback books of every thinkable genre. If I'd had the time, I feel as though I could have spent hours pursuing their selection. read more

A great bookstore to shop and browse and buy books. But not to sell your books to them. The selling experience is just a little too smooth and too fast. They do offer trade or cash. So I brought in a full car load of about 500 books for them to consider. They quickly selected many to buy, But I never got to see how many or which books. They made an offer, but they quickly shelved and moved away the books they chose ...saying it would be too difficult to bring them back to show which they selected. I was in a very uncomfortable situation. I write this so that you can avoid this,,,and perhaps they will change their style of buying books. read more

Washington doesn't have Powell's bookstore... we have William James!! This place is a delight and I make regular trips over to Port Townsend from Edmonds to visit and purchase books. The collection is brilliant, you will always be astounded by the depth and obscurity what you find, but it will be exactly the book you didn't know you wanted. read more

This is a one of a kind book store that was recently saved from closing its doors forever. The store was purchased by a local Port Townsend resident who loves the store as much as the patrons that kept it open all these years. If you ever visit Port Townsend, WA or if you live there, be sure to stop in the book store and support the new owner. When I visited Port Townsend on vacation, I was thrilled and amazed that such a store has survived the new electronic book era. I wish the new owner well in his quest to keep this book store as part of the charm of the town of Port Townsend. read more

I seem to end up in this bookstore every time I go to Port Townsend. They have a great selection and I'm often able to find some of the popular titles that aren't yet available at other used stores. Their customer service is great, the layout of the store makes books easy to find, and I find the prices to be pretty reasonable as well. I'll definitely be back! read more

Great prices. Great finds. There are some real treasures in there. I wish I could have taken more time to dig. I'm definitely going back next time we're in town. read more

I've been to lots of used book stores but none as good as this - I love this place. When my son comes up to visit, it's a "must go to place" because the selection is wonderful, the prices great and the store itself, welcoming and comfortable. They also have books in boxes right outside the shop door that are free. What a great local treasure. read more

I absolutely love this store, sadly I have just discovered it. On the ferry I heard that it was going to close in December. I plan to visit as much as I can, what a treat this place is. Thank you for creating this, sorry if if has to end. read more

One of the premier small-town bookstores of the Pacific Northwest. Always worth a visit.

After reading the owner's comment below he's trying to smooth it over but I had spoken to him by phone three days before that, and although he claims I never told him I had a timeline, I did tell him. I had to email him to get a response and I think his shining me on was simply because he had not gone over the books yet. For sure his original comment "I don't want you to have to carry all those boxes" changed to "I can't take the time to give you any detail about them on the phone, just bring them in". His kind tone in the comment does not reflect his tone when speaking to me! No pass. It might be an atmospheric bookstore, but if the staff is arrogant and unhelpful it won't be a good experience. Of course he is trying to mitigate a bad review. I don't go around writing a lot of them, believe me I called him back before I wrote this and gave him every chance to do better but he was quite snarky, a bad listener, and tried to blame me when I explained how he'd used up all my time! I just now called back the original friend who recommended them and they gave me the name of a bookstore in Seattle who responded with professionalism, reviewed the photos I'd taken, said they looked good and gave me an appointment tomorrow. Just sayin. Original comment: It was so disappointing after being recommended to take books here to sell and reading the great reviews to find myself utterly jerked around by the owner. I had a large collection of current and small press books and he offered to come to my house to see them but as it's a way from Bainbridge, I suggested I send photos instead, which took me quite a long time. He encouraged me to do so, and he said he could then give me an idea of which ones to bring out. Instead, he kept them past my time limit of over a week then wrote me that I should just bring all the books out to him and he would purchase 10% and give the rest away. This was not what he suggested to me and I spent quite a bit of time messing around photographing them etc, since he said he would tell me which ones he wanted so I wouldn't have to carry the heavy boxes. When I called him and reminded him of that he did the tried and true "sorry for the misunderstanding" number. Waste of time and very disappointed in this person and business. By the way, these are no different than books I have taken places to sell in the past which were well received, so it's not that I have junky books. read more

This bookstore is great! What a selection and totally responsibly priced. But it was kind of hard to catch them open....

This book store has an outstanding selection of books but don't trade your used books at this store. Twice the owner not knowing that I was listening thought that the old and rare books that I brought in were over priced, as if all the other book dealers were wrong read more