Reviews of Magus Books. (Book Store) in Seattle (Washington).

Magus Books

254 Reviews

137 Comments

Book store

Used book store

1408 NE 42nd St, Seattle, WA 98105, United States

Description

Information of Magus Books, Book store in Seattle (Washington)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

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Open hours of Magus Books

Popular times

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Reviews of Magus Books

Rachel Pfalzer

Truly one of Seattle’s gems, and arguably the best used bookstore I’ve ever been to. Such a wonderful selection that brings me back almost every week. A beautifully maintained, quiet, and peaceful space with great employees - I just can’t say enough good things about it :)

Tom Cook

I can’t speak to the physical store itself, but I recently bought a book online from Magus and received great customer service (and a very generous resolution!) when there were some issues with postage to the UK. Highly recommended.

Frieden Esperer

Magus is all about quality. The booksellers there are devoted to maintaining quality selection, nurturing a quality atmosphere, and generating quality customer service. There is a very special feeling one gets upon crossing the threshold into Magus from the often bustling U District sidewalks. Call it an aura, call it a vibe. Plainly, the folks at Magus know how to exceed the expectations of their clientele, and they have fun doing so. Only footsteps away from the vibrant, lovely University of Washington campus, Magus exudes a charm and grace that are decades in the making. The tall bookcases lined with much-loved fiction, nonfiction, and poetry encourage visitors to explore and to explore some more in an entirely unhurried, leisurely way with an emphasis on enjoyment. The people at Magus value and respect the U District community. Just around the corner from Cafe Allegro and Bulldog News, Magus's presence contributes to a neighborhood environment unlike any in Seattle, one that is guaranteed to keep people coming back. Have fun browsing, feel the centuries of collected knowledge and inspiration emanating from the thoughtfully tended books, chat with other book lovers, ask about staff picks, and don't forget to take one of those free, colorful Magus bookmarks.

Thorn Michaels

Arguably the best used bookstore in Seattle, especially for scholarly books, since they are near University of Washington. They have very respectable sections for genre fiction as well. Everyone who works here is super nice, and though they're not as big as some stores they always seem to have what I'm looking for, even if it's super obscure.

Juan Perez

Had to post before I forget, Ive bought many books here, all beautiful quality, even the ones outside. This place respects books and has meaningful ones for whatever interests you may have.

Kendyl Linn-Sanchez

Stumbled across the store on my way to see the cherry blossoms, and asked if they had something I had been vaguely intending to buy. A search was conducted quickly and soon I had the book in hand. Grateful to support a small business. Really great customer service; thank you to the staff.

Dustin Nguyen

Sold some books here. Fair pricing. Nice place.

Corim Cox

Very clean and large selection

Brooke Aguinaga

SOOOO LOVELY! Precious little book store. Very well organized, many sections as well that vary from different genres. The staff seemed nice, although obviously in a bookstore the main priority is the books, which is more of what I had interacted with. Easy to set up an account just number, and name. Bit warm in the summer of course with the books acting as insulation, although I'm sure in the colder seasons it's a very cozy little spot. It looks small from the outside but they have a fair amount of rows, and a nice amount of different sections.

James Proctor

Best bookshop in the PNW!

Tamara S

Awesome selection! Very well stocked, inventoried, and organized used bookstore! Staff are super helpful and you'll walk out with way more books than you came for.

Jeesoo Yoon

This is a super adorable second hand book store and a must-see if you're ever in the University area! Prices are super reasonable, they always have the most interesting reads, and they reward frequent shoppers which I appreciate. Parking can be a tiny bit tough since it's so close to the Ave, but you can usually find street parking and if not it's a pretty short walk from the Burke Museum parking lot. I would really recommend to those who love the cute, small bookstore, antique feel. It would be adorable to take someone on a date here and pick out a book for each other too.

Ian Fink

Makes me love reading again. Has anything you could possibly want. Prices are good, people working there are nice. I love it!

Thomas Johnson

So glad that Magus books still exist, what with Covid and the general demise of book shops in general. The selection is awesome, the staff are always helpful and friendly. They have a ton of options and categories. You cannot go wrong here.

D Mcb

The best it gets for bibliophiles. Be literate. Read. And get off your phone to live read and experience reality - you'll find it here in print. Oh and don't forget to read john fowles book by the same name.

Derek WA

Such a great bookstore. I thought half price books was good but this little shop is an all day search and discover book utopia. They got almost any kind of book, comic, audio book, etc. You can want. So fun just losing a few hours browsing all the books they have and very decent prices. Awesome bookstore.

Giuseppe Mastrovito

I've bought "The Big Book of Funk & Disco", Hal Leonard ed. 2002 throught the web portal "Biblio". The book was on sale rated in "good conditions". When I opened the parcel post I have been really impressed: the book was "like new", no marks whatsoever nor, despite the age, bad smells, yellowed pages, etc. Highly recommended.

Josephine Celt

Always love second hand book stores. You find the such exciting rarities and it is always a surprise when you do. Admittedly, I enjoy books more than most. Nonetheless love Magnus! And the employees are great and helpful.

Edward Alex

This bookstore is really really really good. They have antiquarian books art books and so many interesting sections. And it is not expensive at all compared to other options in Seattle. You’d be hard pressed to find a better used bookstore in any city New York included. So happy I came here

Nate Ellis

great selection, well organized. a great source for obscure or low volume academic publications. the staff are rather nice, too.

Jeremy

I ordered a book online and did not receive it (not the Magus' fault). When I looked, the post office said "returning to shipper". I called the Magus. The staff were friendly and we do not know why they didn't deliver as my address was correct. I called a few weeks later and they never received the book back nor did I receive the book. They shipped me another copy and I got it within a day. Great customer service and happy with them working with me on something that was neither of our issues.

Andrey Kurenkov

Fantastic book store with a large selection and a classic look

suzan Bobette

Really fantastic used book store, one of the best. They get really great titles, and have really fantastic helpful staff. They will check for a specific book on the phone or at the store or you can browse their good selections. Buy local. This is one of those stores that make Seattle a great place.

Night Sniper

Went in there and asked for an author. They promptly led me to the location of their books. The books were very well priced. Definitely a cool experience.

Brandon Ure

While visiting family in Seattle a couple of weeks ago we visited this bookstore twice. My wife found great German language books for our kids who are learning German. I didn't leave the Greek/Latin section either time we visited. Such a fabulous selection of ancient language books. I look forward to visiting Seattle again to spend many more hours at Magus.

Sean Bonaventure

Awesome little bookstore. The atmosphere is amazing, and the selection of books is incredible. Any topic you can imagine has books on it. Prices are very reasonable as well.

Ramyaa Ravichandra

An awesome collection on used books in nearly every imaginable topic. I was there to look for a biography on Churchill, the person at the front desk was super nice and pointed out exactly where I needed to look. She even suggested some books that she'd read. The books are in great condition and priced from $2-$20. Would definitely check out if you have some time and just like the smell of old books!

Tony Yang

Large selection of books. If you feel that a lot of big box bookstores lack books that get into the nitty gritty, and you're looking for an academic approach to learning about something, this is a very affordable store. I bought a book about basic concepts of philosophy for $8.50.

AMC

Hands down the best selection of out-of-print feminist science fiction I've ever seen (and a fantastic selection of used books in general). Where else will you find almost an entire shelf of Sheri Tepper? WHERE? The staff have solid taste and are incredibly knowledgeable. This store is a treasure of the city.

Larry Freer

This store had a signed copy of an Ernest Gann book! My daughter found a nicely used copy of the book Grapefruit by Yoko Ono. After this, my wife gave the cashier peppermint candy and another employee gave me a free satsuma. Best bookstore ever!

Stone Age

Lovely splendid place. get some coffee at Allegro and just read comics or do some research... I usually have some store credit there, because I bring books in all the time that they can sell. and I bring back graphic novel issues that I bought there, like a much cooler library.

Peg Cheng

I've been shopping at Magus Books since 1994 when I moved to Seattle to get my Master's Degree at the University of Washington (UW). I loved taking breaks from studying and working to browse the shelves at Magus for novels, cookbooks, and all kinds of non-fiction discoveries. The shop is amazingly neat and tidy for a used bookstore, which I really appreciate. No offense to other used bookstores in Seattle but I can't shop at places that are full of dust, cats, cat hair, and dander--not only am I allergic to this stuff but it just makes the shopping experience unpleasant. Genres and non-fiction sections are labeled well at Magus, but if you can't find what you're looking for, the staff are very friendly and helpful. If there's a special first edition or out-of-print book you're looking for, give them a call or stop by. I've been shopping here (and selling/trading my books to them) for 26 years and hope to be a customer here for many more years to come. Rock on, Magus Books!!!

Kristin Yao

This bookstore never fails me. It is cozy and comfortable, and absolutely packed with a wonderful assortment of all kinds of books. They have a great selection on even unusual topics and always at a fair price.

Tom Maxson

Love this store always something interesting available

Robert Abrahamsen

When I moved to Seattle in 1995 there were at least 10 used bookstores in the University District. Sadly, they're all gone now, save one. Happily, that one is Magus. Located in a charming, ivy-covered brick building just off University Way, the depth and breadth of its selection are unrivaled within city limits. The prices are reasonable, the staff knowledgeable and courteous, and the interior of the store suffused with the intoxicating aroma of old books. If you love books you'll love Magus. Its persistence into the digital age, after all its competitors have folded, is an example of the survival of the fittest.

Gary Craig

For 50 years I have been a fan. You find books at Magus you won’t find at any other store. It is the best place to find out of print and classic academic books in all categories. Poets you won’t find elsewhere. Great Shakespeare collection. Likewise Greek and Roman history. Excellent fiction section, including wonderful collection of inexpensive, hard backs such as Modern Library. Etc., etc. Now that the once great University Book Store is no more, go one block down to Magus if you want to find books you won’t find elsewhere in Seattle.

Stephen Willis

Wonderful shop. Well stocked with a polite and well balanced stock. A real jewel. I continue to return this truly wonderful location. Please visit here for yourself or for a friend. A book is truly the best possible gift for either one.

Jaakko Kuoppamaki

Great place to find rare used books, and really anything you're looking for in regards to older literature. I've made some fantastic finds here and the store is organized very effectively. Love the atmosphere here.

Qing Chao

Very nice place with a variety of books 📚 I stayed for a long time and found a couple of books I liked. My small dog was even allowed to walk in the store with me - dog friendly I love it! 🐶 …

Fraser Martens

Impressive catalog, especially of fiction, at very good prices. Well worth a visit.

David Williams

Just one of the wonderful longtime institutions in Seattle. Magus will always hold a spot in my heart.

Terran Wheeling

This is a Seattle institution. What more can be said? Magus Books can really be life changing.

Louisa

extremely nice workers and great atmosphere :) my favourite bookstore by a longshot! great book selection (especially manga), absolutely no complaints!

Veronica Gledhill

Not only did I find hard to find or out of print specialty books, I probably saved hundreds of dollars and weeks of waiting if I had ordered them through amazon’s third party books program. Instead I found an amazing selection of foundational books right in front of me for a small fraction of what their online cost would have been. I will definitely keep coming here.

Dustin Ooley

Cute bookstore with an uncanny ability to find popular books for their window display. This isn't the best place to go looking for a particular title, but it's a pretty great place to get lost and walk out with a few books that you found along the way. If bookstores survive, it's due to places like this.

Anthony Yarnall

A real indie bookshop with books for all sorts. Magus Books holds a special place in my heart. That ivy encrusted facade draws you in; the selection of titles (and prices) will pull you back time and again.

X Ellen树

You never know what you will meet on occasion. I had no plan, and didn’t even try to find anything. It was a random walk.

David Toms

Probably the best all-round bookshop I found in Seattle. A huge range of titles in every imaginable genre with a wonderful atmosphere. Spent a large part of a single afternoon here. Can't wait to go back!

Benjamin Desert

Great selection of books 📚 cozy atmosphere and very helpful staff …

Brian W.

Very reasonable prices and an incredible selection. It's hard to navigate at times, but that's not a complaint - but more so a testament to the amount of books they have.

Janice Wright

Love this place. Stuffed with books so dont bring a big bag or you wont fit down the aisle haha. They can look up any book in the shop which is great for a used bookstore. Prices are great, but definitely going up. Bring your own bag!

Michael Matthews

Best used bookstore in the GPNW! Glad to see it still growing strong and full of books.

Stephen Peterson (StephenMeansMe)

An outstanding selection of all kinds of books, usually great quality even for the clearance rack, and very reasonable prices. Even when I don't intend to, I end up buying at least a couple books there whenever I visit.

John St.

great seller, I recommend him!

Joseph Steininger

Love this book shop!! Definitely one of the best in Seattle. I can always find a small stack of books to adopt.

Mike Sullenszino

Lovely academic book store. Great sections on history, philosophy, religion and others. Dense and a great place to explore. Helpful staff. Have spent many hours here.

Freyja Vining

This place has always been the best used book store. They have rare books. They stock interesting stuff from pretty much every literary or academic interest.

Rob Litzke

Exceptional bookstore. Price are great ($5-$10/book). Reminds me of the used bookstores when I was a kid that have been slowly disappearing.

Greg Kornuta

Such care packing for shipment to my home. Outstanding knowledgeable service, great selection.

Isaiah Kisala

Solid atmosphere, lots of classic books mixed in, their own rewards system that helps makes you feel rewarded for your staying with them.

CR

No question this is the best bookstore in Seattle

Edward Aites

One of the remaining used book stores on the Ave. This one has quite a varied selection. It's a good place to drop in from time to time. Parking is a hassle, of course -- but in the U-District, that's just the way it is.

Chunfen Zhou

What a great find! Because of its close proximity to the university this place houses many academic titles which are not often found in other bookstores. It is also pretty easy to navigate within.

Reivyn Apigo

Great place for used books. Pretty high turnover rate so there's always new books in place of the ones you may have seen just a few days ago.

Greg Bakke

This is my favourite Seattle Used Book Store it has a smallish footprint but a collosal amount of titles on pracitcally every subject (at least the ones I'm interested in). I drop in about once a month to see what's new.

Po-Wei Chen

Lovely location, great book selection, and knowledgeable clerks. Probably the best bookstore in u district & definitely my favorite in Seattle.

Jason Sunderland

Great old school bookstore full of hard to find and reference material, as well as general reading. It is the kind of shop that makes you WANT to keep bookstores alive!!

Tea Powell

Very easy going staff and always friendly. You can trust their word, and knowledge. I've purchased from them several times and never an issue.

Leah Preston

They have such a large assortment. You could spend hours there. I always end up getting great selections for my kids.

Trachurus Symmetricus

Magus is a shining gem. Kudos to all who endeavor to maintain this, both staff and patrons. Visit, peruse, buy; again and again. As y'all are aware, SEAWA has lost all gems like this. Don't let PDX beat us...

Steve G

Nice selection of older books. Glad to see a place like this still in business.

Christian Gustafson

Magus is obviously the best used book shop in Seattle. And it's quite a gap down to the runner-up.

ローズrozi

it’s a small indie bookshop that more home to me then any other home I ever had. thanks <3

Kathleen Munro

I always find myself staying TWICE as long as planed! It's an "out of the way" spot to visit for me, so when I get the chance, I HAVE to go to Magus.

Marius Rex

We found a number of gems here. The staff was friendly and helpful. This is my favorite book store in the city.

Paul Pfenning

Pretty as a portrait. One of the best independent bookstores in Seattle. Helpful staff, good selection, and great location.

Plus Aziz

Friendly spot! Really impressed with their Arabic language section. They had plenty of poetry, prose, reference books, etc.

Craig Wallace

One the best used book stores I've ever been in. Excellent inventory in a manageable size.

Hidden Peng

They had the book I need for one of my college classes, and they sold it to me for half the price. Awesome place.

Peter Smalley

A beautiful specimen of a dying breed: a local independent bookstore. Highly recommended especially for rare and antique books.

Denise Finley

One of our favorite bookstores in the country. Huge variety, knowledgeable staff. We go as often as we can.

Jennie Rogers

One of my favorite second hand bookshops to browse. They always have something special.

Lorin

Amazing selection, great service, fair prices...easily my favorite bookstore

Alan Winston

An excellent selection of used books in an enjoyable environment. I've been visiting for decades.

Richard Vigesaa

My favorite used bookstore in Seattle. They have more academic books and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.

Colin Katagiri

One of the staff recommended Italo Calvino to me and I'm forever indebted. Awesome selection. I could live in here, if they served food.

Thaisa A

Good books, nice store, has a cool old timie vibe to it.

Ryan Moore

Fantastic place to find interesting selection of books and can make friends there.

Jessica “Quinn” Kozuki

Wonderful used books of all genres and varieties. Also, sheet music and comics!

Immanual Kirk

Comfy and cultured. Lovely place with something that is the world's most overlooked treasure, books.

Concerned Individual

Possibly my favorite book store I visited during my trip

Kelcey Rushing

Nice employees, and they usually have the book you're looking for. You can't beat used book prices either.

Juniper Belmont (Andrei Mouravski)

I love bookstores that look like they're overflowing. This is a nice quaint used book store.

Kel Drake-Sargent

A just lovely book store. Helpful staff, great selection, awesome.

José Osorio

Incredible academic used books store. Its very big. Love it.

Paul Larson

Brilliant indie bookstore next to U of W. Make sure to ask Andrew L. about Jack Vance.

chris flanagan

Simply wonderful!

Kyle Mumma

lots of books, friendly staff. support local businesses!

Stephen Willis

Wonderful location to wonder through some very well priced used books.

Mr. Shayyab

They really have good used books. Also, the price is good.

Mick Odell

A great little book store in UW district with good selection and a good book buying dept .

anthony

Lots to choose from in a small space, staff is friendly. The store has a good vibe.

Sea Otter

Nice little used book store. Friendly staff too.

Erica Robinson

Very cool little used bookstore, packed to the gills with books.

Shubha Tripathi

A really pleasant place with books from various genres!

Verboten

Great selection of old books. Friendly staff.

Dakota Miller

Cozy little bookstore with staff that are always happy to help you find what you're looking for.

GregRobin Smith

Staff is #1. They care about their customers & about books and finding the right match between the two.

Zachary Boyle

Love the smell of old books ❤️

zen grey

One of Seattle's great bookstores, not to be missed.

Randolph Fong

Like their variety of used books

Alex Hamling

Always a great selection of sci_fi books.

Nicole J

Fantastic selection of random used books!

Darren NM

Cozy, great staff, wide selection for such a small space.

Skyler Gonsalves

I love browsing through their selection. Great location!

ABDIMAJIID Osman

Pretty awesome

Darshan

Nice place, good collection, and affordable prices.

Jack “jakx” Daines

Decent books, decent prices for used books.

james andre

Best Bookstore ever!

brittany barnett

So many cool books!!

Catherine Grimes

Had to stop myself from buying more books that I could carry.

David Engstrom

Maybe the last "real" used bookstore in Seattle!

Afnan sgf

Amazing selection and fair prices

Robert Klein

Huge selection of great stuff!

Dina D

One of the last; one of the best.

Lorna Rozelle

Old school used bookstore.

Virginia Cain

very nice people

Nelson Salisbury

Literary resuscitation

walker thomas

Trill lil' bookshop

Peter N

A favourite

M

Really cool used bookstore! Good variety of books and fun to go through, really good prices as well and they're all in good condition. Would go back!

Eric Bergan

The selection they have is impressive. The way they treat the books is not. They put price stickers on most of the books, even the vintage, collectible quality ones. I was told that the stickers would come off easily enough. Most of them do, but 2 out of the 13 I purchased did end up with tears on the cover, and you can bet that I was careful. Even the ones that don't tear the cover do leave a stain on the book. The prices are a little high to me, but not outrageously so, and I'm new to Seattle so they could very well be on par with other shops in the area. The stickers will keep me from returning, unfortunately. It really does amaze me that any used book store would be so careless. The only reason I'm not returning some of them is that the shop is inconveniently located for me and it isn't worth the trip. If they were to cease using the stickers, I'd give them about 4.5 stars.

Bruce Hull

Aiko Beauchamp

Richard Guboynytskiy

Greg Pincus

William Stover

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