Epilogue Books

aw man
I didn’t think they’d be closed already.
Even their crazy closeout selection was pretty great, once you really dive in.
I wish I had been there in their prime.
bye, Epilogue :(

MY MOST FAVORITESTESTEST BESTEST BOOKSTORE EVAR!!!1!
Oh, wait. I mean: Why, yes. I do terribly enjoy visiting Epilogue Books.
Really, though. I don’t care if it’s a trek from First Hill to Ballard. Really, I could give two (or three!) shits about that. The first time I came here, it was love. There was a pneumatic elderly woman in the corner, hacking up her lungs. I gave her a Halls and she actually thanked me! THEN I managed to find five (yes FIVE) of the Terry Pratchett novels I have been coveting.
See, I’m quite picky about the books I love. I want the original covers, not some refurbished hip cover designed to make stupid people croon «Ooohh pretty» when they see it. Terry Pratchett novels are science fiction and have UBER sci-​fi covers. Like, blow your mind geek-​level. So, I found five of these gems, all under $ 5, and toted them to the register.
Then what happened? Cute cashier guy sez «Oh, man! I just love the original covers of these! The new ones are so lame, and I hate how they are trying to attract idiots with the neon lettering on the new books.» AMAZING.
So, this place is small. Local. They might not have what you came in for, but you can leave with a smile. The atmosphere is top-​notch.

Epilogue Books is closing :-(I am so sad about this because I just moved to Ballard with dreams of visiting this store on a regular basis. They have a wonderful selection of books, wonderful customer service. I just love this book store.
On their website (
) they say that are closing for good by mid-​August 2009 and therefore are selling all of their books (new & used) for 20%-70% off. If you need some good books (including textbooks) I would stop by Epilogue before August.

My little neighborhood used book store is a wonderful addition to Ballard. Although they no longer have the espresso cart here, they do have a very nice selection of worthwhile used books, mostly from the last twenty years but even some older ones as well. Staff and owners are great… a wonderful group of good-​natured «book people» with good manners as well. Now here’s a nice recent addition to the inventory: they have a large and growing selection of second-​hand DVDs! And before or after your visit to Epilogue, you can visit John Lang’s rare book shop across the street, and also have lunch at one of the FOUR good restaurants within a few feet of Epilogue’s front door… a winner!

This is Part 2 on my quest to sell my used books in Seattle. Part 1 was an unsuccessful lugging of heavy literature to Twice Sold Tales.
Epilogue is brilliant. Firstly, it’s in Ballard which makes me happy not only because it’s close to home but who doesn’t like Ballard? Ok, either way, I lucked out on parking which in the case of book selling is important… I mean, you don’t want to walk THAT far with your books do you?
This time, having learned from my aforementioned Twice Sold Tales experience, I walked in without books to ask their policies. No problem to bring them right in, paperbacks not a problem and yes, they’ll look at textbooks too. Hurrah! AND… would you like to use this handy rolling cart to help bring them in? Double hurrah! So off I went and two trips later had dropped at their desk a sullied selection of books ranging from Ayn Rand, The Horse Whisperer, Chemistry 101 and the requisite Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
They didn’t take all my books — actually they only bought about a quarter of them at most — but what they did buy they bought well for $ 32. While waiting I found another book I desired and she gave it to me for $ 2 instead of the $ 9 it was priced at. Happiness. They offered me credit for 3x the amount of cash, but I was in a cash mode so that’s what I did.
I received a hearty thank you and farewell from the staff (as well as use of that handy cart to take back the unsold books to the car). I would highly recommend Epilogue Books for your next used bookstore experience whether buying or selling.

A book store for the people! The staff and owners are interested, very helpful. Credit for the books you bring in is generous and decent — not like the bigger chain that will go unamed in this review but we all know that this chain is not even HALF way fair.
Epilogue didn’t happen to have the book «Romulus, My Father» in stock but the owner gladly did a quick search online, found the book at a good price on
. Friendly, knowledgeable… a good bookstore!

I popped in here with my mom and two year old daughter the other day to kill some time before an appointment and came out $ 30 poorer but quite impressed.
It is a bit pricier than many other used bookstores I’ve been to, even in Seattle, but the books are in great shape. Sometimes I had trouble telling what was new and what was used.
I was also very impressed with how clean, roomy, and well-​organized it was. Definitely one of the nicest and most attractive used bookstores I’ve ever been to — makes Jackson Street, my favorite in Omaha, look like a positive health hazard in comparison.
Our visit was fairly short, but the selection in the areas I visited (kids and gardening, mainly, but a few others) was nicely rounded, if not enormous.
I’ll definitely be returning next time I’m in Seattle.

I walked in here in search of ‘The Outliers’ yesterday afternoon (man, I hope my dad isn’t reading this– it’s for him) and was immediately greeted with, «Can I help you find something?»
I responded with «Yes. I’m looking for the Outliers.» He points to the book. I pick it up and pay for it. Well, that was easy!
I’ve been in here a number of times over the years and while their used selection is decent, I’ve found that they usually have the new if they don’t have the old. Oh, and there’s espresso in the corner if you’re in need of that too.
Nothing but nice, efficient, and solid service in a ‘this place doesn’t feel as cramped as other bookstores’ environment. Forget the Big Bad ‘B’ bookstore chains and shop here if you can. You’ll be happy you did.

I got a great Obama shirt here. I heart it.
I’ve been coming to Epilogue since they were down by the Sloop Tavern, give or take 6 years. They’ve always been good to me. I bring my books here to trade in or get store credit and they never ever try to stiff me or turn me out without at least one trade.
The selection is great and I love the layout of the store. Everything seems really easy to find and they actually encourage you to spend tons of time finding what you want. I can also really appreciate their ability to constantly smile. I wonder if it’s in the training or if they actually just hire smilers. I mean really, it’s awesome.

I can’t give a bookstore less than 5 stars.
I actually came in here looking for some Obama shirts for my little sis after some Unilocaler suggestions. It’s a bookstore so I couldn’t resist browsing around.
It’s a great little bookshop with some good deals on used books. They buy and sell old books. It’s not an option I will ever use, because I don’t ever sell my books, but it’s a great option for those looking for a cheap read.
The staff is super friendly and very helpful.

Accessible little book shop, conveniently located on happening Market Street. Home to the popular «Ballard for Obama» t-​shirts, a neighborhood favorite, where the presidential hopeful is sporting a Viking hat.
A good combination. Great Ballard location, and Barack boasting a smile and some viking horns. Awesome. Enough said.
Click here for a picture [

Coffee shop inside? check
Conveniently located to me? check
Extremely friendly staff that asks what can I help you find as soon as I walk in then proceeds to follow through and find me exactly what I’m looking for… double check.
Epilogue, you’ll be seeing me again.

What a great place. Rebecca and the entire staff are always so helpful and friendly. I love to go due to their mix of old and new books. They have a great book buying program. The sales every year are not to be missed! When in Ballard, stop by, say hello and check them out!

I admit, it’s been a year or so since my first/​only jaunt inside of Epilogue Books, so to truly review it, I feel I ought to pay it another visit in the near future. But still, it made a positive impact on me.
I was looking for a book on a couple possible topics which might satisfy my ‘quirky’ (yes, we’ll call her quirky here…) sister– I think I was searching for a sort of artistic photo book on tattoos (as she has 8 at my last count). Although they didn’t actually have anything similar enough to purchase, the two staff members nearby were fantastically helpful and seemed to have a great deal of knowledge on a variety of subjects (at least I picked that up as I eavesdropped on them talking w/​other customers). There was a lot of variety in their book matter, they were in great shape, and very reasonably priced. Granted, you will find much more variety at your local B&N (or their website), and thus the one less star. But otherwise, a great local book store.
The clinchers for me were: 1) The enormous wall of gently used paperbacks from authors such as Clancy, Koontz, Patterson, etc.– great since my boyfriend and dad read so many of these so often that they now trade with each other to expand their ‘library’ of books; 2) In the children’s section, I found an entire shelf of near-​perfect condition early hardback Nancy Drew books– be still my heart! as these were the books that I’d read front to back in 3 hours every weekend and first created my real love for books when I was a youngin’. I’m still tempted to go back and buy them all (only $ 3 each) to save for my own kids, but my luck would be that I’d only have boys if I did such a thing. Lucky bastards, I’ll spare them for now.

Another fan of Epilogue. I went looking for a specific type of cookbook and found so many options, all for under $ 15. The staff was friendly and all the usual book accessories (coffee, cards, and some small gift items) were present, too. I can’t wait to take some of my used books here to sell.

Best used bookstore in Seattle fer sure! It is where I bring all my books I want to sell.
I love how the store is laid out as well.

This is a really nice bookstore. They give good credit for books and they usually take most of the stuff I bring in. It’s just pleasant to be there. Adding the café inside was a bit weird, but it works. Seattle has a lot of bookstores and this one deserves kudos. The owner is really nice too.
And it’s nice to be in a used bookstore without the cat smell (see Twice Sold Tales).

Now that I’ve found Epilogue Books, I really never have to leave Ballard. Christmas shopping? Bargain shopping? Coffee sipping? Epilogue Books! The staff loves books & will give you ideas if you’re looking for the perfect thing. The only reason I’m not giving five stars is that the kid’s section is sort of dreary.

The best part about this book store is the great amount they will give for used books that you sell to them, however it is only for store credit to dissuade people from stealing books which is smart as well. I hate paying new prices for books as usually I’m reading something that has been in print for longer than I have. Thus you’ll find me oftentimes in a used bookstore and while the selection isn’t gigantic (Strand’s in NYC spoiled me) its still pretty great.

They’ve moved to new, bigger digs and the place is crammed full of used books, all in good shape. Stock constantly changes, new shipments all the time, and they can look up any book in a few seconds and tell you if and where they have it. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Check out the ephemera bin near the counter if you love old and odd little books and broadsides. They’re building a little café in a corner for drinking coffee, reading books and watching the traffic on Market Street. I spend way too much money here.