Browsers' Bookshop

Browsers' Bookshop has been a vital part of Olympia's civic and cultural life since 1988, occupying a warm, welcoming space on Capitol Way that puts it at the intersection of government, academia, and community. The store's proximity to the Washington State Capitol makes it a natural home for one of the best political science and policy sections on the West Coast, and during legislative sessions the aisles see a steady flow of lawmakers and lobbyists hunting for background reading. Evergreen State College's experimental, interdisciplinary ethos infuses the store's curation, with strong sections on environmental humanities, indigenous studies, and radical pedagogy. The Pacific Northwest literature collection runs deep, from classic logging-era novels to contemporary works by writers exploring the region's rapidly changing identity. The in-store cafe, known for its excellent espresso and rain-day ambiance, is reason enough to visit even if you do not buy a book.