Left Bank Books Collective is a charming independent bookstore located at the entrance to Pike Place Market in Seattle. It offers an excellent selection of graphic novels, comics, and books on political theory, history, and gender studies, along with a wide range of LGBTQ titles, poetry by trans authors, sci-fi, fantasy, and non-fiction. The store is known for its interesting and diverse collection, often featuring new and unique finds not available elsewhere. The space is cozy, with two levels and small nooks where visitors can relax and enjoy the view of Pike Place. The staff is friendly and provides excellent customer service, and the store maintains a mask policy to ensure community safety. The vibe is welcoming and supportive, with a focus on anarchist and LGBTQIA+ themes, and a commitment to community care, exemplified by their support for Books To Prisoners. Whether browsing for yourself or buying a gift, visitors often find something special, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike seeking a memorable and meaningful bookstore experience.
I am an academic and seldom I have seen bookstores as rich with their choice of books as Left Bank Books!
May 2024
Left Bank is an institution. The staff is friendly, the shelves are stocked, the location is perfect (right at the entrance to the market). Buy a book for yourself, get another for a prisoner (they heavily support Books To Prisoners, the oldest prison literacy charity in the USA), then walk to the market and catch a flying... read full comment
May 2024
Shop here. Their selection is unmatched. They provide a delightful safe space in the neighbourhood ❤️??
Pike Place Market isn't just fish-throwing and flower bouquets: it's also home to Left Bank Books, a collectively owned and operated anarchist bookstore that sells primarily political and philosophical nonfiction, but also literary fiction, poetry, periodicals, zines, clever T-shirts and posters, and more. They're also active supporters of the Books to Prisoners program which provides free books to prisoners throughout the United States. You won't find bestselling paperbacks here, but they do have general-interest books and a decent selection of used titles.
