We LOVE our bookstores

More of our readers' favorite Northwest book dealers:

• "Lilypad Books in Issaquah's Gilman Village is an outstanding children's bookstore. Author events happen frequently. Owner Jane Shaw is extraordinary in her knowledge of books for kids of all ages." — Jim Harris, Issaquah

• "Duvall Books in Duvall has a wide assortment of well organized used books in a friendly, small-town store environment. It's a treasure to spend time in browsing." — Elvina Spoon, Duvall

• "Seattle Mystery Bookshop (117 Cherry St., Seattle). The friendly booksellers delight in helping a patron find the right mystery and are extremely knowledgeable about this genre."

— Alice Fleck, Kirkland

• "King's Books (218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma): atmosphere, selection, friendly staff. Great place to browse and enjoy a large variety of materials." — Cheryl Trentman, Tacoma

• " I drive north to Fairhaven/Bellingham when I need a new read. I find Village Books' (1200 11th St.) mellow atmosphere relaxing. I sell some of my gently read books, and begin the pleasant search for new authors, new titles. The Colophon Cafe provides wonderful food, and I can while away a day in the city of subdued excitement: Bellingham." — Mary MacKintosh, Tacoma

• " I love William James Bookseller (829 Water St.) in Port Townsend! It is a second-hand bookstore of the very highest quality where treasures abound ... The owner, Jim, is totally knowledgeable. He sells a wide variety of books at fair prices ... I've never had a bad day at William James — and how many places can you say that about?" — Marlene Newman, Port Townsend

• "My favorite bookstores are the Elliott Bay Book Co. (101 S. Main St., Seattle), followed closely by Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park Towne Centre and Ravenna). These stores are vast monuments to a bibliophilic world that is fading fast in the face of computers. The best part about either of these bookstores is that there are places to sit and read until the store closes." — James Hibbs, Yakima

• "Magnolia's Bookstore (3206 W. McGraw St. in the Magnolia neighborhood) is truly a neighborhood bookstore. I used it as a reading room when my son was a toddler and now as a teenager, Jacob goes in to buy books on his own! The owner remembers everyone's interests and will often greet me with 'I've been waiting for you to come in; I have a book I really think you'd enjoy reading!' " — Abbe Stashower, Seattle

• "Wide World Books and Maps (4411A Wallingford Ave. N., Seattle): My favorite thing is spending time there browsing, dreaming about or planning my next trip. Solo travelers meet on Saturday mornings to offer and obtain travel tips. There are interesting lecture series/seminars on Tuesday evenings featuring a variety of countries and authors. It is a wonderful place with a warm, inviting atmosphere and a very knowledgeable staff." — Jana Pagaran, Seattle

• "Sage Bookstore (116 W. Railroad Ave.) in downtown Shelton. Small-town hospitality with big-town access to everything a book-lover could want. Friends meet over lattes in front of the fireplace or chat around a big table at the coffee bar. A well-stocked children's corner, current news in the publishing industry, support of local authors, all carefully nurtured by a knowledgeable staff that will order you a book and get it there in a thrice!" — JoAnn Ridley, Shelton

• "Santoro's Books (7216 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle). Carol Santoro, former owner of the now-closed Second Story Books, has opened this gem of an independent. You can walk into her store blindfolded, grab any book, pay for it, walk out and you'll be happy with it. While others are closing down, Carol refuses to buckle. A lover of books, a lover of readers, a supporter of her community — I vote for Santoro's in Greenwood as the best bookstore in the city." — Joanne Conger, Everett

• "Moonraker Books (209 First St., Langley, Whidbey Island): a bookstore with a view! A lovely, calm setting inside and outside!" — Peggy Swayne, Bellevue

• "Insatiables (821 Washington St., Port Townsend) is an antiquarian bookstore to get lost in! It's not just the endless selection of handsome and mysterious old volumes (technical subjects are a specialty), but the delightful personality of the store's owner that turns every visit into an adventure full of laughter, sharing and, of course, information." — Karen Runkel, Salem, Ore.

• "Bonners Books (7195 Main St., Bonners Ferry, Idaho) is one of the best used-book stores I've ever visited, especially for anyone interested in the history, culture and ecology of the Pacific Northwest. But treasures are also to be found in history, biography, fiction, music, art, children's lit, cooking and other areas of interest." — Linda Langness, Bonners Ferry, Idaho