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Pine Books

Rooted in Poulsbo, Inspired by Stories
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A Little Bookish Magic in the Market

The Location 

Pine Books is a small bookstore tucked away inside Pike Place Market. With all the hustle and bustle happening around the market, it can be easy to walk right past it, so you definitely have to be on the lookout! The hidden location is part of its charm and makes it feel like one of those little gems you stumble across while exploring the different levels of Pike Place.

Time Books is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM, giving you plenty of time to stop in while exploring the market. If you’re a fellow book lover visiting Pike Place, it’s definitely a fun little stop to add to your day.

 

Shelf Appeal 

Don’t let the size of the bookstore fool you—there are so many books packed onto the shelves! Right near the front, you’ll find the staff picks, featuring some of the books the employees are currently loving and recommending. As you make your way farther inside, there are sections for fantasy, science fiction, romance, and a small children’s section.

One of the highlights is the impressive classics and literary fiction selection. You can browse everything from Pulitzer Prize winners and Booker Prize titles to International Booker selections and books featured on lists like 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die. The bookstore may look small from the outside, but it goes back farther than you might expect, with shelves filled with plenty of hidden gems. If you love discovering award-winning books, classics, or your next great read, this is a fun bookstore to explore while visiting Pike Place Market.

Pike Market Place Bookstore

An interesting thing about this bookstore is that it has quite a bit of history behind it. The shop has changed ownership several times over the years, with different owners—including Rita Dyke—helping shape the bookstore before it became what visitors know today. Pine Books became the fifth ownership chapter of the bookstore and reopened under its current name in 2005. I love learning little details like this because it adds even more character to a bookstore that already feels like a hidden gem tucked inside Pike Place Market.
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The World Book Tournament

One of my favorite things featured in the bookstore was their World Book Tournament. It was such a creative way to combine books with a little friendly competition! The bookstore featured a book representing each participating country, and every time someone purchased that country’s featured book, the country earned a point. The country with the most book purchases would ultimately win the tournament.

I loved browsing the display because it introduced me to books and authors from so many different countries. There were so many interesting choices that I honestly wish I could have bought them all—but my wallet said absolutely not!

At the end of the tournament, the top three books were Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor in third place, Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi in second, and Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica taking first place.

I thought this was such a fun and unique idea, especially for readers who enjoy discovering international literature. It turned browsing for a new book into a game while also encouraging readers to step outside of their usual genres and explore stories from around the world. Of course, I couldn’t leave empty-handed—I ended up adding a book to my own shelf too!

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