University Book Store - Seattle

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4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105

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(206) 634-3400
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University Book Store - Seattle - Seattle, WA
Reviews
( 7 )
( 25 )
( 7 )
( 3 )
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Best

Kid friendly and a good hang out. They have a great selection of books and decent prices. With Barns and Noble out of business this is one of the only book stores to browse books...

Worst

Student shopping for textbooks at the U-bookstore? DO NOT PASS GO! DO NOT COLLECT 200$ The textbook wing of the U-bookstore is, first and foremost, a monopoly: Professors c...

Very Good Bookstore 8/29/2005

The University Book Store on the Ave in the U-District is a very good bookstore. For academic needs, they have quite a bit. But what makes them stand out is all the non-student oriented assets. For example, they have a great selection of travel books and particularly of maps (both local and worldwide). The children's book section is very good, as are most other sections. I particularly like the balance between timeless classics and cutting edge new titles (in all sections). There are always ongoing sales and discounted titles as well, which is a terrific way to pick up new books without having to spend a lot of money. more
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Your dorm days can be WAY behind you . . . 8/21/2005

Sure, most people go the UW Bookstore to buy textbooks, but it’s worth the trip for other things as well. When I was looking for work, for instance, I took advantage of their selection and decent prices on fine papers for resumes (DO NOT BUY THIS TYPE OF STUFF AT KINKNO’S!) They also have frequent sales on fiction and non-fiction books, and they have a great selection of $2 classic paperbacks on the third level. It’s also a great place to find out what’s going on in the U-district, with readings, lectures and other events posted on the big calendars around the store. more
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Left Handers - Rejoice 8/21/2005

Sure, the University Book Store has a great selection of books in an exciting collegient atmosphere. Sure, the ever burgeoning gift section is expanding, and is a great place to browse CDs, get Husky wear and Seattle memorabilia, and even Clinique products, and yes, the University Books store has a particularly large section of magazines, art books and childrens books. What really sets this bookstore apart though, is the marvelous office/student supply section downstairs. You can get great art supplies, backpacks, pens, and to those of us lefties in the world, the much coveted . . . left handed spiral bound notebook. No more digs into your hand as you write on the wrong side of the page, no more flipping the notebook upside-down to avoid it! Right handers might be scratching their heads right now, but to my fellow lefties . . . you know of what I speak, no? more
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They have everything! 8/20/2005

The U Bookstore maximizes space in a crowded neighborhood! They have everything imaginable, from textbooks to art supplies to journals to sweatshirts. They have improved the layout of the store in the last couple of years, and it is now easy to navigate and well organized. Their primary drawback is a lack of available staff people to help with questions. However, once you locate someone, they are generally helpful! more
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Big bookstore with perq's! 8/20/2005

The University bookstore - sure, you can buy (and sell) your textbooks there - but you can also get just about any other book you can think of (special orders are a snap), as well as attend book signings, and buy an assortment of various other stuff - including a whole section of Husky gear for when the parents visit. What really sets the UW bookstore apart though, is that not only can you get refunded for the taxes you've paid (save those receipts!), at Christmas time they also offer free giftwrapping and free shipping! Get all your Christmas shopping done easily and gloat smugly over a mocha in the nice little café. more
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Huge selection, lots of sales and clearance deals 8/20/2005

This bookstore has a huge selection like the big box stores, but profits stay in the community. Students and staff get 10 percent back at the end of the academic year, so it’s a great deal for people associated with the UW (or know someone who is). They have an annual children’s book sale in the Spring with great finds. The clearance tables almost always yield something interesting – not the usual boring coffee table books. They have generous parking validation, so park in the lot. If you don’t buy anything you still get your first half hour free. more
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Knowledgeable staff make for good reading 8/18/2005

The prices are rfull retail but the service is worth it if you are looking for something unusual. Employees can recommend books as well as any librarian. It is obvious that books and the knowledge within are cherished. It probably helps that although this is an independent bookstore, it is the designated bookstore for the University of Washington. Author appearances and signings are frequent and well-presented. more
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the bookstore for huskies 8/18/2005

University bookstore has 3 locations - downtown, on the ave, and bellevue. this is the place to get your textbooks (ave location) for the huskies. They also have normal books, and they also have souveniers etc. they also have a whole lot of husky gear for the rabid husky fan. I truly recommend this for huskies and current college students. more
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U.W. Bookstore 8/18/2005

The U.W. bookstore's one of my favourite places. As previous reviewers have stated, the selection is good, and the staff is friendly. I'm sorry that I don't know his name, but the staff member who presides over the Sci-Fi and Fantasy section is a fount of knowledge. He does a great job of keeping up with trends and finding talented newcomers. The author readings are also a plus. Parking in the U. District *can* be pretty tough, but the bookstore does offer validation (with purchase) for parking in the lot at the back of the store. more
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One of the best in the Northwest 8/17/2005

True, they do sell textbooks but did you know that many of those textbooks are pretty darn interesting and you can purchase them at the same used book price as the students? If not I suggest you go to the basement level of the bookstore posthaste. The rest of the bookstore has an exceptional selection for this part of the country. Almost all subjects here are well represented. They have mind blowing sales a few times throughout the year as well as many guest speakers and traveling authors. Be sure to stop by the customer service counter and pick up a schedule. more
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Great bokstore, not just for students 8/17/2005

The U Bookstore is one of my favorite places to browse. They've got textbooks in the basement, but the upper 2 stories of this vast edifice are devoted to non-textbook books. There's a great travel section and a good section up front with interesting current books. Honestly, I rarely make it past there. But further in are superb nonfiction sections on everything from architecture to US history, and quite a good extensive fiction section. There's a coffee shop (of course), though it's not situated in a way that invites browsing a new purchase while drinking coffee -- it's in another area of the building. University employees and students get a 10% end of year dividend if they save their receipts. Not bad! more
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Excellent Bookstore! Great Perks 8/17/2005

The University Bookstore is one of my favorite places to shop in Seattle, although it is a little pricier than other stores. However, if you're a student or alumnus of the University of Washington, you get a patronage refund every year, typically about 8 to 9 percent of your purchases that year. The Bookstore, in conjunction with the University and on its own, has many author readings and book signings. One benefit of this is that if you can't make it there, the Bookstore typically has a number of extra copies signed so you can still purchase a signed copy. A few years back, I wanted a personalized signature for a gift, but was unable to make the signing. The staff wrote down what I wanted written and had the author sign it that way for me! Their gift wrapping is top notch and a huge reason why I buy gifts there since it is typically free or has a nominal charge (beware the long holiday season lines though, but they do stock holiday wrap in July.) more
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University Bookstore 8/16/2005

This is a fabulous independent bookstore. The selection of books is good, the supply section has plenty of selection, they sell used textbooks for about 2/3 of the cover price, and UW students get a 8-10% rebate on all purchases at the end of the year. The best part of the UBookstore, though, is the bargain book tables on the main level. There are always a number of cookbooks and children's books for $3-10, and then an assortment of regular fiction and non-fiction books which are also marked down a good deal. The only complaint I have is that the regular books are full cover price, which is more than you'd pay on Amazon or BN.com, but I guess that's the price you pay for supporting an independent bookseller instead of a monolithic corporation. more
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Everything you would hope from a major university's official bookstore 8/16/2005

The University Bookstore may not have the best presentation of Seattle bookstores - it's basically a crappy 2-story building + basement built in the 70's, and it shows. But hey, you're not here to admire the architecture, you're here to buy books, and in that area the UW Bookstore has you covered. While the basement is filled with all the books required in the classes of a 50,000 student university, the main and upper floors have books more suited for the general public, on a range of topics just a diverse. Oh, and if you drove, you get parking validation for buying anything.... even a stick of gum. more
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Great bookstore for browsing 8/6/2005

As an employee of UW, I venture across campus from time to time and check out the bookstore. They have a large fiction section, and while the prices aren't anything special, the selection is nice. There are usually bargain tables out as well, although with these books, the selection usually isn't too impressive. Still, it's a great bookstore to while away some time. If you're driving, be prepared to deal with the limited parking in the U-district. There is a pay parking lot in back. more
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Not just a book store... 8/4/2005

I started going here mainly because I was forced (it is of course the University book store!) but I soon came to love it. With 3 levels, a person can spend hours browsing without realising it. There are books, apparel, calendars, memorabilia and much more. Additionally univeristy students get an 8% rebate at the end of the year if they submit their receipts! What is not to love? more
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more like "whole community" bookstore 7/31/2005

I think that the nicest bookstore workers I have ever met have been at the university bookstore. When I solicited their help in finding a textbook for a class (when it was about a foot away from me) and then attemped to pay for it (without any money), the bookstore attendant was friendly nonetheless and even replaced the used book with a another one that was less tattered while I put it on hold. They also have an amazing fiction section and a literary theory section over which you will drool. The atmosphere there is great, too. Nice for reading. more
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Good bargains 7/31/2005

The University Bookstore has a great bargain table when you first go in. It's completely covered with a huge variety of books at a deep discount, for those like me who refuese to pay full price. The staff is very helpful and friendly and the store is well-lit and very welcoming. I always enjoy going there, even if only to browse. more
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For the college student. 7/14/2005

You wont find any real bargains at University Books but they do have alot of books and alot of supplies for the college student. If fact if attending the UofW you will likely become a regular here for all of your stuff. They have art supplies, textbooks, notebooks, drafting supplies, software, etc.. They also have an ever popular coffee cart in the central location. You will find that many students go there to hang out and study but I could never figure that one out. They have a large selection of books but they are over priced as far as bookstores go. more
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It doesn't take a scholar, or even a student, to appreciate this book collection.

Editorial

  • In Short
    The University Book Store doesn't attempt to beguile customers with cozy charm; it aims to provide the most comprehensive book selection in town. Mission accomplished. Ferret out...

  • 8/30/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm Sat 9am-6pm Sun 12pm-5pm
  • Payments: American Express, Cash, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Northeast, University District, Northeast Seattle
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