University Bookstore

Visitors are invariably dubious when informed that one of the must-sees of Seattle’s University District, the lively neighborhood hemming the University of Washington’s main campus, is the University Bookstore. Even bookworms yawn at the thought of it, imagining a small room, a buzzing fluorescent bulb, and aisles of textbooks with a few souvenir UW sweatshirts here and there for good measure.Yawns quickly turn into gapes of amazement.

Sure, the University Bookstore is the official bookstore for campus, and textbooks can, indeed, be found year round on the basement floor. But the rest of the basement, as well as the other 3 floors, are a veritable wonderland of books (the clearance rack is mind-boggling), local crafts, wacky gifts, bargain computing, hard to find art supplies (with a full offering of paints, clay, canvas and even a Ukrainian egg-decorating pysanky kit), luggage and souvenirs (including an entire Husky Shop, which not only sells the UW sweatshirts, but anything and everything else that the university’s logo can be printed on). There’s even an in-store Estee Launder counter for on-the-spot makeovers.

It’s nearly impossible to leave the University Bookstore with an unscathed wallet. However, it’s not the just the array of goods that make the University Bookstore a worthwhile attraction. It’s a great place to relive your won collegiate salad days. Grab a coffee and a pastry from the café and eavesdrop on the constantly rotating crowd of students and professors in-between classes.

And while you’re in a scholastic mood, check out the events happening that day. The University Bookstore is one of the primer venues for the Seattle literary arts, many done in conjunction with Seattle’s Town Hall speakers’ series. The bookstore hosts readings and signings from internationally renowned authors such as Chuck Palahniuk, Connie Willis and Anthony Bourdain, as well as book parties held by local or first-time writers.

Other regular events include story times for kids, book clubs, and workshops with live demonstrations of cooking, gardening, entertaining or writing. Most events are free and open to the public. Hours of operation vary by the season. In the summer, the bookstore closes early. Call ahead for the most current hours.

- by Caren Gussoff Sumption, Seattle Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Caren Gussoff Sumption

Caren Gussoff Sumption is a freelance writer and editor from Seattle, WA. She's written for USA Today, the Seattle Times/NW Source, MSN and AOL, and her fiction has been published worldwide. She received her MFA in writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.