Title: Seattle’s Used Bookstores 1999 and 2019: A Love Note to Book Culture and The Pre-Digital Age
Author: Mary Brown
Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
ISBN: 979-8-88945-294-2
Pages: 126
Genre: Non-fiction / Photo Essay
Reviewed by: Carol Davala

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Mary Brown’s Seattle’s Used Bookstores 1999 and 2019 is a charming work that aims to show via a collection of photographs and short essays the uniqueness of used bookstores, reflect on their contribution to the community, and recognize the loss when they disappear. While chapters are introduced with book relatable quotes from Cicero to James Baldwin, the popular refrain from Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” lamenting “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” seems most fitting.

Brown’s rare chosen subject matter appears a heartfelt endeavor and true labor of love. In contrast with the studious nature of libraries, the hefty box store type merchandising of chain bookstores, and the formality of Independent bookshops, the author draws us into the literary ambience of comfort and accessibility. Used bookstores are showcased as places to relax, peruse, discover, and spend time away from our hectic lives. It is here Brown notes that the randomness of books can lead to unexpected reveals far from the best sellers list. At Ophelia’s Books located in the bohemian hub of Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood Brown was happy to come upon a childhood favorite by Dr. Seuss. She describes it as the book finding her.

Over half a dozen used bookstores are highlighted, each a special world in its own way. Consider “Twice Sold Tales” renowned for its beloved felines, interesting staff, and a diverse book inventory; or the former University district’s “Magus” with an exclusive used book collection specializing in academic texts, art, popular fiction and children’s books. Here the perfect descriptive claims “A Day spent in Magus was a day spent in the best class you ever had in college.”

At downtown Seattle’s Waterfront Hill and the famous Pike Place Market, amidst tourists, baskets of flowers, and flying fish, dim corridors are brightened by the likes of “Lamplight Books.” The tidy, small space features quality titles in areas of philosophy, poetry, and literature in translation. Both tourists and locals contribute to the customer base. At “The Globe” situated in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, owner John Siscoe sees himself as a steward of books rather than an owner. And in the quiet area of Greenwood, “Couth Buzzard Books” in business for 25 years, adapted to the 21st century by serving as a community center and performance venue.

A stylish array of black & white photos compliment Brown’s writing. It’s interesting to note that photos from 1999 were taken with a Pentax 35mm camera, while the 2019 images are results of a Canon digital.  Included are both interior and exterior shots of the bookstores themselves, as well as an eclectic range of owners, booksellers, patrons, and the many ubiquitous resident cats. As a complimentary nod to the multi-faceted city, the book also includes a brief overview of Seattle history, speaking to the fortitude and resourcefulness of the Pacific Northwest people.

Brown’s compilation is clearly a celebration of used bookstores just prior to, and 2 decades after, the tech boom. It was a time that brought major changes to Seattle. Her words and pictures are a testament to the magic of books, the joy of reading, and the transformative power of those special places that honor a literary bounty of pre-owned books. Her literary vision is a sincere love note to used bookstores and their guardian owners, and truly a work to be enjoyed by all bibliophiles.