Welcome to Pine Books!

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Pine Books is the 5th bookstore at this location in the Pike Place Market, under the Public Market  sign at the intersection of Pike Place and Pine Street.  We love books, especially the classics and the classics to be.

We take pride in our diverse collection of books that cater to all ages and interests. From classic literature to contemporary bestsellers, we have something for everyone.   Some highlights:

• Every Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction from 1918 (Ernest Poole’s His Family) to current.
• Every Booker Prize winner from 1969 (P.H. Newby's Something to Answer For) to current.
• 1001 Books to Read Before You Die
• English translations of the following prize winners
  • Nordic Council Literature Prize winners
  • Akutagawa & Naoki Prize Winners (Japan)
  • Miles Franklin Literary Award Winners (Australia)
  • Camoes Prize Winners (Portuguese language literature)
  • Carlos Fuentes Prize Winners (Spanish language literature)
  • Nigeria Prize for Literature

Chris: The Box by Marc Levinson. Before you try thinking outside the box, learn about the box. Yes, it changed everything. 

Meghann: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Jones. A young woman is cursed by a witch and forces her way into a young, arrogant wizard’s castle to seek help. A wonderful book and required reading if you like the Studio Ghibli movie!

Emily:  Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. A beguiling, enigmatic mystery set in a palatial labryrinth, revealed through journal entries written by the lovable amnesia who resides within. A departure in form from Clarke’s first novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, but no less enchanting or immersive. Fans of CS Lewis will discover Narnia references galore. 

Max: Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  A book for people who loves books.  Its a book about a book.  In fact, the book that this book is about has the same name as the book.  Gothic and twisty, poignant and lush: once you pick up you won't want to put it down.

Halle: Anagrams by Lorrie Moore.  This novel is actually three short stories and a novella.  In a trench coat, re-imagining its protagonist Benna and her relationship with Gerard each time.  Moore will make you laugh and then break your heart.

Jason: War All the Time by Charles Bukowski.  A great collection of Charles Bukowski at his finest...or worst.

Tiffany: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.  The saddest book I have ever read.  Bar none.  My heart broke for Jude and his friends.  Be sure to have tissues nearby as you read this one.

Colby (shop pup): How to Tell if your Cat is Trying to Kill You by Andrews McMeel.  This is what I've been trying to tell you!!

There has been a book shop in this location in the Pike Place Market for more than 50 years, passed down between five owners.

It started with Rita Dyke opening her bookstore, Rita Dyke's Books, in 1961.

Her son, Rod Dyke, was an avid comic collector and renamed it Collector's Bookstore.  He later moved his store down the hall and renamed it Golden Age Collectables.  Rod and his wife Colleen still operate Golden Age, thought to be the oldest comic book store in the world.

Ed Leimbacher then opened a store specializing in mysteries, with quite possibly the best bookstore name ever...MisterE Books.

Lionheart Books was the fourth iteration of the bookstore.  David Ghoddousi was the store's "caretaker" for over 25 years.  He was a market legend who sang, recited poetry, and told jokes to all who entered.

We reopened as Pine Books in 2025, named after our location at the intersection of Pine Street and Pike Place (albeit 30 feet underground).  

We hope to have a good long run before one day handing over to the next owner.