Twice Sold Tales

This is an amazing second hand bookstore. It is massive, well organized, there are cats around the store, and the staff is very helpful. The books are reasonably priced and there is even a $1 book section. The only downside is it would take me a multiple days to look through all of their books. Guess I'll just have to go back :)

Once you get past the thought of quickly finding a parking spot nearby, this is a lovely secondhand book store. There is quite the assortment from Nancy Drew books to old foreign language dictionaries, to books on philosophy and even some books on risque topics that might just bring out the prude in you (or a blush) upon merely reading the title. And of course there are collector's books kept in locked cabinets. The staff was super helpful, with one or two having an almost encyclopedic knowledge of what they have on the shelf. There were little stools and chairs throughout the store. A good place to browse, pet the store cats, and find more than one interesting read.

Definitely a unique bookstore experience. We enjoyed seeing and petting all the cats. Most of them were happily sunbathing in the window. Lots of great books laid out by section with several maps throughout to help you find what you are looking for.

This place is such a gem. I can spend hours here. Love the smell and feel of a used book store, and this place is perfect for just browsing. I see little kids in hidden corners just reading books or playing with cats. You must visit here at least once!

Cats were adorable. Decent selection of books and can find something newer if you hunt. It’s a fun bookstore worth the stop.

The place was so charming. They have a great used book selection and they have info about all their cute kitties!

Love twice sold tales, have found some gems there! The proprietor is absolutely lovely and often excitedly shows me some interesting book she's just acquired or sometimes even just a good epigraph. And the cats are all sweet (though I have seen other customers bothering cats that obviously want to be left alone) and like to hang out in scifi. The store has a section of rare/signed books that is interesting. Popular books go fast but they have a wide variety of books to look through and you might just find something you didn't know you were looking for. Great low Prices are on the first page (rare books get stickers). Great little local bookstore.

definitely a great place to play with cats for free, not so sure about searching for books as everything is a bit scattered

Twice sold tales is my favorite used book store in Seattle! It is conveniently located in Capitol hill and has CATS!! I love the ambiance of this book store, they have some many books and you can also tell throughout the space how much care they have for their cats. It's truly the cats home as much as it is the books home. The staff working here are wonderful and I love coming in here to escape into world of cats and books. It can get a little cramped but the space is pretty big! I highly recommend this book store!

Cats and used books. Say no more. I'm in. It is a relatively small shop and you'll probably get lost 20 times trying to find the section (literature, travel, whatever) you are looking for. But if you are a book lover, getting lost in a bookstore is half the fun. You will just end up with twice as many books. At this time, there are six cats which either roam the store or spend their time sleeping somewhere. We found five of the six cats. Some of them are clearly done with hundreds of humans petting them; they are on the skittish side. So, leave those felines alone and concentrate on the snoozingor more extroverted ones. I found the book selection to be excellent. Most of the books are in decent condition and cost around five bucks. There are books literally everywhere, including on the floor. It can be a little claustrophobic inside but if you love books, you won't mind a bit. There are gems to be found. If you love books and cats, you need to come visit.

A literal DREAM for cat lovers looking to buy books! Workers were kind and there were so many genres to choose from. But of course, the cats were the best part and this will now be a mandatory stop of mine when in Seattle.

It's a used bookstore owned by cats!!! It's the most amazing thing! Twice Sold Tales in Cap Hill is a large used bookstore with a huge selection and you could spend hours browsing here. But the best thing about this adorable place is that there are a bunch of cats that live here and roam around freely. There are cat beds and cat toys and cat structures all over the bookstore for them to hang out in and they might be taking a nap or night just cross your path as you flip through a piece of literature. Come support your local used bookstore but stay for the cute cats!

I remembered this gem from our last trip to Seattle, and just HAD to come back to get my fill of kitty cuddles; and buy enough books that it's likely to challenge the check-in weight limit at the airport. Worth it! The value of some of these books is unreal. I got a couple perfect editions for half off the original market price, much to the chagrin of Amazon Prime. Haha, Bezos. I saved myself $70+ on my wishlist alone AND supported local -- but enough pettiness. On a serious note, the workers were all very sweet, the cats were as adorable and well behaved as always, and the inside is as charming as a Seattle bookshop should be, creaky floorboards and all! Gosh, I love this place :)

Twice Sold Tales is an absolute treasure trove nestled in the heart of Capitol Hill for any book aficionado. Spent my Valentine's Day afternoon in this cozy-unique bookstore for the first time and boy did it leave an impression. Stepping into this welcoming haven feels like entering a literary sanctuary where time slows down and stories come alive. The space exudes warmth and nostalgia, with shelves stacked high with books of all genres, inviting exploration and discovery I only left with two books, both were very well priced might I add. The selection was so vast I wanted to get more! Best believe, I will be back. :-) One of the most enchanting aspects of this bookstore is the adorable feline residents that roam freely among the aisles. These furry companions add an extra layer of charm to the already delightful atmosphere. It's impossible not to smile as you browse through the shelves while a curious cat curiously investigates the latest arrivals or lounges contentedly in a nearby window. The staff here are passionate about books and incredibly knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or engage in friendly conversation about literature. Whether you're searching for a rare collector's item or simply looking to get lost in a good read, Twice Sold Tales has something for everyone. If you're a book lover or a cat enthusiast (or both!), this bookstore is an absolute must-visit in Seattle. Prepare to be enchanted by the literary wonders and the delightful company of its furry residents.

An adorable bookshop with adorable kitties! This bookstore was actually pretty expansive in my opinion! Lots of little nooks and crannies with books to check out. Staff is very friendly and helpful if there's anything you need or have questions. The book selection is a little dated but that doesn't mean there aren't amazing stories and great authors. I unfortunately couldn't stay long because I started to get allergies from the cats but they really are so cute!!

Came here after a friend sent us a Reel featuring the store and its feline friends. Selection of books was good especially on high end, rare, 1st edition, and signed copies. Staff was very unobtrusive. All of the resident cats are even tempered and enjoy interacting with the store's patrons. There was no cat odor that you might expect.

If you like books and if you like cats, this is the place to stop by! As a second hand bookstore, this shop has an extensive selection of books, and they've tried to organize the books based on genre. As you can also expect from a used book store, there is not always a multitude of options within more popular genres or with very popular authors! But this makes sense, and I did still find some of my favorite books, and some books I was interested in reading! And all for a good price, especially compared to buying new, and with the added benefit of buying something second hand! And if you like cats--this is the place for you. There are cats lounging all around. You can't pick them up, but if you want to pet a cat then they're great! The cats are friendly, and if they're overwhelmed they have plenty of space to walk away and have alone time. Super cute and nice place to spend some time!

Cats! So many cuties walking around or sleeping. There are some litter boxes around but it doesn't smell. There is no entrance fee so you get to go see some kitties while looking for books!

A cute little bookstore nestled right off Broadway in Cap Hill -- their resident cats are adorable and wander the store, but would definitely just beware if you're allergic. If you are patient enough to peruse, this is the spot for you. As with all used book stores, it's a smidge overwhelming and there's SO many titles crammed into the floor-to-ceiling shelves. That being said, they're a LOT more organized than most and the employees were so helpful -- they were able to help us find some books by specific authors and make recommendations. The variety of books in here is awesome, ranging from cookbooks to coffee table books and tons of others. I feel like I usually don't see this level of organization and variety, all for super fair prices too. Their dollar books are great, with fairly modern titles and old classics. I snagged a Mindy Kaling book off that shelf -- will be back for more!

Very similar price as to half priced books except I didn't come here for the books, I came for the cats. Saw 3/4, see pics. Two were half sleeping and one was on duty making the rounds between book shelves making sure we're finding everything okay. All used books, all the way down to vintage ones, sectioned and organized into categories. There are no chairs but plenty of customers make themselves at home on the floors. Overall a quiet place to explore. There are dollar bin by the entrance. Come and support the cats :) Will return to find the 4th one

We were going to Neko Cafe but we ended up coming here instead. I thought the whole concept of cats and bookstore was unique and interesting! People can walk in and pet the cats there without any fee. They're just there to roam around which was cute. The staff was very friendly and the interior of the bookstore was cute! We mainly came here to visit the cats but I did notice some cool books that they had there! The bookstore is also pretty quiet and chill. Overall, I would come back and visit.

What a charming bookstore, with so many friendly cats! After exploring the busy main streets of Capitol Hill, this was a welcome reprieve. But if you're going to browse for awhile, definitely go at non-peak times. The walkways are tight and there are a lot of pinch points with people wanting to interact with the cats. Admittedly, I was one of those people, haha. The cats were in such a playful mood! It was cool to see how freely they moved around the store and how comfortable they were with everyone.

Approaching the store and seeing the cat in the window was such a delight, but then realizing the name of store is a pun was even better. The staff are so kooky and friendly. We ran into one of them reorganizing the $1 dollar books, and had a fun chat about how they deemed a book one dollar. We commented on this funny microwave cookbook, and the staff member marked it free for us! Lol we spent the rest of the day hauling around this microwave cookbook published in 1982, but how can you not accept a gift like that. There's an extensive sci-fi section, many books to get lost in. It was organized well, usually alphabetical, so not overwhelming, and the cats roaming around really made browsing a cozy experience. For all the reselling of used books on eBay and Amazon, the prices were pretty competitive. TLDR: you'll come for the books and the cats and stay with the books and the cats.

This bookstore has such a great collection of second-hand books. They have everything from fiction to graphic novels to mystery - it reminds me a lot of just being in a library as a kid! Also, they have the most adorable cats - they're all really friendly, but just make sure not to pick them up or anything like that. Highly recommend checking out this place if you're by Broadway in Cap Hill, it'll make your day!

The best (relatively) slept-on tourist destination in Seattle, at least for book-lovers and cat-lovers. Also good for regular residents who just want to browse books and pet cats. CAT REVIEWS Buster (confident gray tabby): The guy in charge. Minor problematic behaviors (he bullies Lily), but he is a cat so it happens. Always friendly except when he's busy furiously chittering at crows and pigeons outside the window. Beware, he may claim your shoulder for a ride without warning. RATING: 5/5 Lily (large round calico): Very soft. Gentle. Serene. Either an angel, or an alien sent to evaluate and judge humanity. She is shy but unless you get really aggressive with her, she will simply stare saucer-eyed at you while you pet her and politely allow it. RATING: 5/5 James (large tuxedo): "Mom. James Mom." --Pepperjack's assessment. RATING: 5/5 Screamer (all black): A visionary who dreams of the void at the heart of the cosmos. He is haunted by the psychic insights that batter his tiny feline brain, and so he screams. He will also snuggle any hands that pet him when he's in a good mood. RATING: 5/5 Pepperjack (long orange tabby, just barely adult): Peak orange. Possesses approximately 83% of a used braincell because the rest of the space in his soul is taken up by love and snuggles. Has learned the arcane ways of the shoulder ride from Buster. RATING: 5/5 Myrtle (small skinny calico, just barely adult): Fearless chaos elemental. Sufficiently obsessed with running water that she has learned to stand up and operate a dispenser that was installed for humans with a single paw. Makes tiny meeping noises instead of meows. RATING: 5/5 When it comes to books, there is always an interesting selection, both because of a location that draws a lot of unusual people with exciting books to sell, and because of dedicated curation. As a matter of pragmatism and fairness, prices are matched against whatever the cheapest you can find online is. Staff is honest and transparent about this when selling or buying. All employees clearly care about the joys of both reading and loving cats. The proprietor, although reliably helpful to customers and willing to chat about books and offer recommendations whenever she has the time, can be mildly crotchety. I encourage reviewers to consider the stresses of being a human individual in charge of a heavily-patronized small business in the trendiest neighborhood in Seattle instead of docking stars for this. Terry Pratchett speculated that libraries and used bookstores were portals to a magical dimension known as L-Space. Twice Sold Tales is definitely a solid manifestation of this phenomenon.

I have to confess that I have been to many bookstores all over the country, but never seen anything like this place. What a warm and exhilarating atmosphere to walk into. This is a bookstore that has cats ....we saw about five of them ....and they're so adorable. You get hypnotized, don't want to look at books anymore, you just want to watch and pet the cats. The book selection is varied and attractive to all readers. I have to say that everybody who walks in here are captivated, the cats steal the show. You see them on the counter, in front of the register eating, you see them in the aisles drinking water, you see them relaxing, or sleeping on a cat tower. What a unique, satisfying and memorable experience. I should add that the owners were very cooperative, friendly and provided superb customer service. Someone was asking them.....How do you get these cats .....and one of them replied, stating that they are all shelter cats, people bring them in ....and they get them young .....so that they adapt to the place. I cannot say enough. A must see destination in Seattle.

My wife and I decided to enter Twice Sold Tales as we walked pass it. From the outside it looked a bit rundown and we weren't expecting much as we walked up the creaky ramp to the door. This used-bookstore is somewhat of a maze and if you're lucky, you encounter one of many cats. There are books literally everywhere -- from the floor up to the ceiling! All the walls were filled with books; no empty walls. It may be a bit difficult locating books, but I'm sure the workers there are willing to help. I stayed a way from the cats since I'm allergic, but we really appreciated their presence.

I was recommended this books store as a 'must visit' spot in Seattle, and I was not disappointed! The range of books and sheer volume of categories is astounding. I could get lost in there for days! Combined with that, the staff are super kind and willing to give their sage advice in addition to very accurate recommendations to your taste. To top it all off, the resident cats are both cute and friendly (Screamer took a particular liking to me!). All in all, for cat lovers, book enthusiasts, and anyone in between, I highly recommend giving this place a visit!

I went here back in May but I still remember my experience being great! It seems like the perfect place for me since I love cats (all animals) and books. Although I wasn't much of a fan of their book collection I still enjoyed the cozy environment. The cats seemed to really love me too! I was giving them all my attention and they seemed to love it which made my day. I hope I can come back here with my boyfriend soon who absolutely loves cats!

Honestly, after Pike Place Market, my next recommendation is this used bookstore. Unless you are allergic to cats. I found a great Pinocchio book from the '60s for only $8. The manager was very gracious and generous, offering to ship books to me and making recommendations. Now, as you can imagine, cat fans will love this well-organized maze of old books because there were about 7 cats roaming around, all with different personalities. Most of them of social, and the ones who aren't social are too slow or tired to run away, and some walk above your head. But what makes this place so enjoyable is that nobody is following you around and there is no hard sell. In other words, going in just for the cats doesn't feel like when you go to church just to use the bathroom.

Love going here on a rainy Sunday afternoon. They have the cutest kitty's that are very friendly and funny. I do wish they organized their books a little better, but I still have an amazing time every time I go. Also pretty much all the books are priced between $9-12.

Can't rave about this store enough! Plentiful selection of books, amazing staff, and a quiet atmosphere. NOT TO MENTION SHOP CATS! please support them because they are so peaceful and wonderful. favorite stop in seattle!

What a gem of a store in Cap Hill! I highly recommend everyone stop in, if only to wander through the many shelves of books! Jamie was amazing, and even showed me more books that I was interested in. Amazing selection of books and wonderful people (and cats!) definitly my go-to book store :)

Fun store in a great location right by Capitol Hill light rail, so it's just minutes from downtown. Solid selection of books in many areas including fiction and nonfiction. Rare books are pretty much priced for the Internet customers. But you're very likely to find something you want to read here, at a reasonable price!

Wonderful book store and sweet kitties! They even have cat toys so you can interact with them!

The owner is amazing. Buster the cat is a sweetheart and is cute. There is a great selection of books; myrtle is also a sweetheart.

Twice Sold Tales in Seattle offers a wide range of gently used books at great prices. Their welcoming atmosphere and knowledgeable staff make it an ideal spot for discovering unique finds and enjoying a leisurely book browsing experience.

Super cute book shop, workers were super sweet and welcoming. Had lots of books from different genres you can pick up, which I love. Let's not forget about the adorable cats I was able to pet and they were super sweet and loved which is a sign of the shop taking real good care of them which is amazing! I'll definitely be visiting again

Used books and free range cats, what more could you ask for?? There was an overwhelming selection of books, but the cats provided a nice interruption. I would have loved to have spent more time here.

The only book store that I've ever gone to that has cats walking around the library. They were friendly and fun to see while you're seeking out that ride read. This place had cats that ran the place and would help as you may be puzzled on your read. Very creative plan to do this.

A gem in Capitol Hill that sells secondhand books and homes several cats. It's a chill environment to check out books and admire the cats. Overall comfy and welcoming store!

Not gonna lie - was here for the cats roaming free around the bookstore. They are cute, friendly and seemed to get a lot of love from the customers. The bookstore was well organized and clean with a large variety of books. A unique stop for your used books and cat sighting needs!

This is our favorite bookstore in Seattle! It is a lovely gem full of character and hidden treasures. The selection is wonderful, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. It brought back so many memories seeing some of the unexpected old titles there. There is parking just around the corner, making it easy to access.

Super cute used book store with adorable cats! Store is well organized and has a great selection.

Super cute cats and very cozy bookstore with reasonable pricing! Really interesting variety of genres.

A great little spot! Love all the cats and it's a wonderful place to stop in while on the hill. Owner was also extremely helpful.

I've visited the various locations of Twice Sold Tales for thirteen years now, and I'm always surprised by the great selection--a bibliophile's dream. Jaimie knows more about books than anyone I've ever met. When I first moved to Seattle, I used to visit the Capitol Hill shop and marvel at the books that seemed to reach the ceiling. I spent hours there, occasionally showing up late to class (Seattle Central College is around the corner) because I lost track of time.

Best used book store ever! Excellent selection. Excellent company. The cats were very helpful.

Well organized. Thoroughly stocked. Friendly reading companions. Adorably quirky book shop that everyone needs in their life. Definitely a nice place to casually browse for your next reading adventure with one of the multiple feline reading companions that are roaming around. They also have a kids section so there's fun for the whole family. They have so many books they are overflowing everywhere so you can definitely find something to sink into. As long as you are willing to put in a little time to sort it out and find something that piques your interest.

I wasnt looking for a particular book or anything material. It was the smell of books and company of cats that I craved. And Twice Sold Tales delivered instantly. A place to call home away from home if you are a bibliophile cat parent.

This place makes me happy every time I go back. Not only are the kitties super cute and adorable, the staff there are awesome and helpful! We were looking for books from the Dunes series during our trip, although there wasn't any in stock the staff was super nice and recommended us to other books by the same author. They also let us know that if they get the book in the future, they would let us know. I love how friendly and knowledgeable the people are here!! Definitely my favorite book store in seattle.

Not cat fan allergic. So kinda weird to have them everywhere. Book selection is ok. Would be helpful to know that this is not just cat friendly, but is saturated in cat dander and hair.....books are nice and worth the sneezing

Such a large collection of books and I'm so glad this place was recommended to me! found a couple books I was on the hunt for and an unexpected one that caught my eye. I could spend a long time here easily and their store cat only made the experience that much better!

Favorite book store in Seattle and everything a used bookstore should be: Cats: Owner with coke-bottle glasses: Stacks of books from wall to ceiling: Extra perk -- they answer the phone and can let you know if the book you're needing is in stock (fast!)

On three separate occasions I have attempted to shop here on the weekend for used books. But found that it was overrun with groups of people not looking at books at all, instead they were seemingly there just to handle and play with the cats. Usually, I would not rate a business on the conduct of its customers, but when you can't navigate the isles due to crowds of people using it as a pet store, or neko cafe, this place becomes a bookstore in name only. Stay away on the weekend.

I went in to sell some books. One of the books had a $50 hidden inside that I was unaware of. The folks at the front desk discovered it and instead of keeping it for themselves they gave it to me! These people are the sweetest and I always have a wonderful, whimsical time while I am there. Thank you twice sold

For anyone visiting Seattle, this bookstore is a required local destination. You cannot understand the literary culture of Seattle or enjoy the Capitol Hill neighborhood without a visit. The iconic sign, the numerous rooms full of books, and yes......adorable cats. For locals, this shop needs to be visited on the regular. The collection is always full of new arrivals, the pricing is very reasonable, and staff are helpful with recommendations. Unexpected books will follow you home.