Island Books

Great new books, and cute little gifts. They also will gift wrap beautifully for free. Very friendly staff.

Our daughter had a gift certificate here from a school read-​a-​thon. Although I tend to order most of my books online due to convenience. We were surprised at how sweet of a bookstore this was. It had interesting books as well as jewelry and knick knacks from local artisans.
The children’s section in the back is particularly nice with a little ramp and an array of fascinating reads. My daughter and son were both happy to find new books. We’ll definitely plan on heading back here next time not only to support a local business but it’s nice to be spending time away from a computer when searching for a new book.

Best place on the island to grab gifts, books, magazines, cards, hostess gifts, etc. A Mercer Island gem for sure! Worth a stop to pop in and browse the books, jewelry, soaps, you name it. A fun place to hang, chat with the friendly staff, and enjoy.

I looove this bookstore! Any time I’m on Mercer Island I have to make a stop here. They have McSweeney’s quarterly journals, and an awesome recommendation list of books that are always on the table near the entrance. I find myself making mental notes of books and authors I had not yet discovered until then. They also have really unique gifts, which can also be gift-​wrapped upon request. It’s not a large store, but there seems to be a nice collection of books sold here. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, they can order it for you, and have it delivered at the store free of charge. Lastly, the staff are knowledgeable about their books. I love walking into a bookstore, with just having given little information to the bookstore staff about the kind of books I like, and they have such great and accurate recommendations. It’s very, very cool. I wish more bookstores would have staff like here at Island Books because they’re awesome about recommending books, and seem to really want to help people find a book to read and love; unlike at some bookstores where the staff just briefly greets you and doesn’t wish to start a conversation so they can go on with their work day. You can tell the staff actually loves books, as they should! It’s my favorite place on the Island!

I brought my 2 yr old daughter in to look for a book and found a large, well-​organized selection of books AND toys. The staff was welcoming & friendly. There is even a playhouse, which my daughter adored. In fact, my daughter loved the store so much that I had a difficult time looking for what I wanted. She was so overly excited and getting into everything that I had to finally take her away kicking & screaming. I’ll be back to hopefully buy something next time I have a babysitter!

What a gem! Top customer service. They’ll find or order any book you need. Free gift wrapping. The best.

This is an amazing bookstore! The children’s section is so well set up, full of carefully curated gifts and books (as is the adult side)…this is a great place to hang out and find your next favorite read! This fits my description of the perfect bookstore!!!

Simply the best. Rivals Elliott bay in its hay day. A true landmark not only on mi but Seattle

I love this bookstore with all my heart and I’m not saying this because I’m a biased Islander. This place truly is the bee’s knees. Being an independent bookstore is tough these days but the resilience of this place never ceases to amaze me. Not only is their collection of books truly amazing, they also have high quality gifts, cards, candies, games, bags, etc. If I need to get a quick gift for someone special in my life, Island Books is the first place I go to.
I LOVE the way the store is organized with magazines and completely unique, high-​quality cards up in the front, then fiction and non-​fiction titles in the middle (super well organized with cookbooks, travel books, etc tucked nicely to the right). Then you get to the back of the store which is the children’s section and it’s literally everything your childhood was. It has rows of magnificent books but also a small wooden play area where you can nestle in with a good book and get transported to another realm.
If you don’t want to sit in the children’s section, there is a single couch seat in the fiction area and they don’t mind at all if you just want to sit and read. If there is a book you want but they don’t have, they will kindly order it for you. If there is a book you want to grab quickly, you can call in and they can put it aside. The staff have awesome recommendations and can really help you find the book you need. They also have monthly book club meetings that I’ve personally never had the pleasure of participating in but I have only heard great things. When I was in high school, I used to always line up at midnight to purchase the next book in a series (Harry Potter and Twilight) and they always made the experience even more special with their magic. They also host awesome authors and do fun readings for the younger readers.
My writing isn’t doing this store justice, so make sure you go and check it out yourself. Island Books really is a magnificent place and I hope that you find what you’re looking for – whether it’s escape, solace, adventure, or a good laugh – at Island Books.

The people who work here are awesome and they give a discount for book clubs!

Island books is a Mercer Island institution for many reasons. Roger the owner is so generous with the Mercer Island School District — always a giver. Second, the vibe in there is so awesome, you would almost think you were in some cool bookstore in New York or LA. The staff is friendly, helpful and they do not care if you want to just hang out with a book. Since my taste is so obscure they order me books (no extra charge) and call me when they are in. I love Island Books and I hope that with the Nook’s and all the other devices that people will still patronize their shop. They are the best bookstore in the Seattle Area. Please shop there!

I love Island Books. I’ve been coming here since before I could read. I will always remember playing in the reading house they have in the children’s section. The staff here are friendly and really know books. I still come here when I need a reading suggestion and always leave very pleased.
One of the few bookstores that remain untouched by huge businesses. Support Island Books! They are so wonderful and caring.

Great store for my kiddos… they loved the atmosphere and found some of their favorite authors. Friendly staff as well. I am also impress with their gifts. I will be back.

I love buying books and cards at Island Books. The staff is super friendly, I can usually find the books I’m looking for, plus their selection of cards is a lot of fun. I also love it that they offer free gift wrapping– which helps me out, as I’m a terrible gift wrapper =)

This place feels like the Elliott Bay Bookstore but smaller and cozier. It also has a playhouse where kids can sit in and read (although on the outside it says «no trespass.» There is nothing like a local bookstore that reminds you how bookstores used to be before Barnes and Nobles (a «You Got Mail» moment if you will).Other than books, this place also sells toys and cute notebooks. I can just get lost in here for hours. Love this place!

Great independent bookstore. I love visiting this place when I head home.

Island Books is a fantastic bookstore. The selection is very exciting and it is a true pleasure to have an actual small bookstore to go to. I love the experience. While Island Books is considered to be a small bookstore, the staff is tops and the ability to find (or order) the reading materials is on par with all the «bigger» options, but the personal touch makes it a much better experience.

I have been going to this bookstore since its inception! The owners are extraordinary and the atmosphere of this local community bookstore is very inviting. The staff are always helpful, knowledgeable and are always interested in what you may be reading and why. They also have a very sweet children’s section complete with play house and ramps. I can always find books for myself, and great gifts in here to boot! It is dangerous to go in and browse, because everything looks so delicious that I can’t leave without at least one book!

This is a «real» bookstore. I love supporting small, independently-​owned businesses, and this is my local bookstore! A wonderful place.
I get tired of that Goliath Barnes and Noble, with all their new rules about no returns after 2 weeks or without receipt, etc.
Island Books has a wonderful selection of greeting cards and magazines. The Children’s Section is phenomenol. They have a great table or two of «staff recommendations» and I have found some fabulous reads from these displays, that I otherwise would not have heard of.
They sell some used books as well. I also love the Cookbook section, up on a platform, with a handy chair, to sit and peruse the selections. Rather than having multiple copies of just the best selling books, they have only 1 or 2 copies of some wonderful cookbooks that I would not even notice in that other «giant» book store.
Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Great place. Free shipping. They will happily order any book they do not have on hand. Wonderful place to browse!
Please support a wonderful, independent bookstore!

if it wasn’t for the gift certificate i received, i don’t think i would’ve ever stepped foot into island books (or known about it!). i mean… normally i go to the library or just order books on amazon because it’s way cheaper than paying full-​price at barnes and noble.
but i’m glad that someone wanted me to discover this little gem. from the moment i stepped into the store, i could tell it was a place where people appreciate and fall in love with reading. they have a wonderful selection of books (and stationery!) and whatever they don’t have, they will order for you. the children’s section is very hip (and super cozy), with all the up-​and-​coming authors/​illustrators.
sometimes i visit their website when i need a good book recommendation — and they ship books for free!