Fresh out of college, I was leaving my hometown for the first time. I packed up all my belongings, and my little dog, and made the five-hour drive across the state to my new home: Seattle. I knew little about the city except where the Woodland Park Zoo was, and that I had just scored a great new job writing with the SGN.

In an attempt to give a good pitch at one of our weekly writer's meetings, I suggested starting a project in which I would write about Seattle's independent bookstores, going from one to the next each week. Aside from the chance to meet other book lovers, I had no idea what this column was about to entail.

Over the next three months, I traveled across the city, meeting some of the most intriguing people and coming to understand the culture of Seattle, one bookstore and one neighborhood at a time. I soon came to find out that these businesses are the vestibules for the spirit of the city. I met some of the greatest minds in them, learned new ways of thinking and seeing the world, and received book recommendations as unique as each individual.

Community starts here
While each store I visited was unique, all shared one main component: an undying love for their communities. Each owner or manager explained their admiration for the locals who frequented the stores, and the energy of the neighborhoods they call home. Some businesses are even able to give back to their communities.

Phinney Books has been giving back by organizing yearly book fairs for the grade schools in the district. "Other stores in town have stopped doing them because they're a ton of work, but I love doing them," owner Tom Nissley explained.

Another, Secret Garden Books, brings literature to local youth through special author events. "My job is bringing authors into schools, so when visiting authors come into town, I will take them to three or four school auditoriums, and we'll do an evening book event with them here," explained manager Suzanne Perry.

Some stores, like Queen Anne Book Co., give back to more than just locally; it donates to the Books to Prisoners Program. "Over the last two or three years, we have developed a very close relationship with [that] program," manager Wendee Wieking detailed. Now the Washington State correctional institutions' librarians even ask workers at the store to recommend books specifically for the inmates.

Then, of course, there are businesses like Ophelia's Books, dedicated to helping the environment, one repurposed book at a time. By only shelving used books, Ophelia's is helping to decrease the amount of waste that ends up in areas like the Puget Sound.

A book's best friend
Another unique component I found in Seattle's independent bookstore scene was the number of four-legged friends. Many a shop featured friendly and book-loving cats. These animals provide comfort to younger readers, encouraging them to practice their reading skills. The cats also help to add a sense of "home" to the stores, which makes them all the more inviting. Employing rescue cats is also helpful to the city as a whole, clearing out shelters and providing a warm place for kitties who would otherwise live in a cage.

The cats have left quite a legacy in some of Seattle's most beloved bookstores. Take Ophelia's, for example. "Ophelia was our first cat," owner Jill Levine told me. Twenty-six years ago, the cat supervised the grand opening of Fremont's used bookstore, and her legacy continued with its second cat, Claudia, who has just retired at the ripe age of 18, now living at home with Levine while she searches for the next feline supervisor. "Eighteen is a long time to work at one job," Levine chuckled.

King's Books, in Tacoma, is ruled by a chunky tuxedo cat named Herbert. "About five years ago, we adopted him," owner sweet pea Flaherty said, as they introduced me to the lovable feline. "He's the reason we do social media," sweet pea laughed.

Of course, I can't talk about the legacy of bookstore cats without mentioning the iconic Twice Sold Tales in Capitol Hill. With six rescue cats living there, it takes the cake when it comes to being a kitty paradise. Purring can be heard from blocks away when the kitty supervisors are receiving their tips.

A book lover's town
After meeting so many amazing readers and dedicated citizens, I can confidently say that Seattle is a book lover's town. Whether you read to escape into a world of fantasy and romance or learn about new places, cultures, and histories, there is a store, and a dedicated owner, waiting for you with a recommendation. Over the summer, I curated a reading list through the SGN's first-ever Instagram book club. Each owner or manager I talked to gave me a different book to explore, while also providing insight into their tastes and interests as readers. The result has been a list that is as unique and diverse as the readers of Seattle.

Summer is now over, but our reading doesn't have to stop. We have decided to continue our book club into the fall, inspired by the dedicated readers who are continuously stocking shelves with Queer stories. The fall book club will highlight some of the best spooky recommendations I received from readers, owners, and managers throughout my summer book adventure. Thank you for reading along with me. I can't wait to explore more pages with you!

Summer book club reading list

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
Recommended by Arundel Books

How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole
Recommended by King's Books

Tabula Idem edited by Iris Jay and Hyem
Recommended by Phoenix Comics and Games

Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi
Recommended by Elliott Bay Book Company

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Recommended by Queen Anne Book Company

Real Life by Brandon Taylor
Recommended by Phinney Books and Madison Books

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Recommended by Magnolia's Bookstore

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Recommended by Secret Garden Books

Queering the Tarot by Cassandra Snow
Recommended by Quest Books

Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (And the Next) by Dean Spade
Recommended by Left Bank Book Collective

The SGN's book club can be found on Instagram https://instagram.com/sgn_books.