Ravenna Third Place Books

 

4/29/23 Third Place Books, Ravenna neighborhood

For a long time now, I have tried to avoid adding more books to my already overstacked bookcases and use the library whenever I can. Some books, however, are important to own, and one I really wanted was Chandler O’Leary’s latest (and very sadly, last) book, On Island Time. When it was released a few months ago, I planned to eventually buy it on Independent Bookstore Day, which would be a good excuse to shop. I didn’t know then that within a couple of months, Chandler would be gone. I still regret that I didn’t make more of an effort to get to one of her booksigning events to see her again and congratulate her in person for yet another fabulous book. But I thought I would have plenty of time for that – she was planning to be at Sketcher Fest in July, and of course, there would be more opportunities. We always assume there will be more.

I was thinking about all of this as I sat in my car in Third Place Books’ parking lot waiting for the store to open. At the lot entrance, a street sign marks “Michael Coy Way,” which honors the long-time Seattle bookseller and former Third Place Books Ravenna manager. This is the third year I’ve shopped at the Third Place Ravenna store on Indie Bookstore Day, so I guess it’s now my tradition!

This is the third year Blackwing has collaborated with National Independent Bookstore Day
 on a limited-edition pencil design that only bookstores can sell.

Unfortunately, my strategy to wait until Saturday to buy Chandler’s book was a poor one: It had been sold out for a while. On Island Time is now going into second printing, but it won’t be out again for a few more months. I got on the waiting list for a copy.

Disappointed that I didn’t get the book, I consoled myself by grabbing a box of limited-edition Blackwing pencils (OK, OK, I admit it: It was my intention to buy some all along!). If you have been wanting to buy a book (or the Blackwings), this week would be a good time to visit your local indie shop – National Independent Bookstore Day events continue through May 8.

Indie Bookstore Day

 

4/30/22 Ravenna Third Place Books shortly before opening time.

Saturday was national Independent Bookstore Day. Arriving a few minutes before it opened, I got a parking spot that gave me a similar view of Third Place Books in Ravenna as I sketched last year for the same event.

When the doors opened, people who had been waiting outside cheered, setting off the store’s festive mood. Kids got free balloons. I spun the wheel for a chance to win great prizes (mine was a piece of candy). I don’t think I’ll get around to all of Seattle’s indie bookstores this week to complete my passport (the day has been stretched out until May 9 this year to ease crowding), but I’m doing my best to support a few. I started with Blackwing pencils. For the second year, the pencil maker produced a limited-edition pencil that was for sale on April 30 only by indie book shops across the country.

After a drizzly morning, Saturday afternoon turned out surprisingly sunny and warm. I decided to take a top-down ride to Capitol Hill. Ada’s Technical Books & Café, where Urban Sketchers Seattle had sketched years ago, has a cute storefront that was probably a house at one time. I hadn’t been in that part of Capitol Hill since before the pandemic, though, so I didn’t know that an outdoor restaurant seating shelter had been put up – blocking my view of the store from across the street. As I sketched, I sadly thought of sketcher Lynne Cotie, who passed away last year. She was the one who had suggested that we sketch at Ada’s back in 2015.

4/30/22 Ada's Technical Books & Cafe

Afterwards, I went into the store for a snack and looked around briefly. As you might guess, I couldn’t think of a single “technical” book to buy, but one colorful item did catch my eye.

Lemon scone and a box of color enjoyed in the sunshine.

Farewell, Ada’s Technical Books

 

4/30/26 Ada's Technical Books, Capitol Hill neighborhood

I often observe Independent Bookstore Day by sketching some of my favorites. Although I didn’t get around to it on April 25, the official day, I still wanted to get over to Ada’s Technical Books, which is closing in June.

A unique niche on Capitol Hill for 16 years, the store also had a nice café and coffee shop. Back in the day (2015), when USk Seattle was small enough to have cold weather outings in cafés, we met in Ada’s cozy back area.

I admit, I have never purchased a book there; my reading interests have never leaned toward the technical. I have, however, enjoyed the café several times (and I bought colored pencils the last time I sketched the store). I had intended to have lunch as sort of a farewell, but the kitchen was closed that day.

It’s always bittersweet when an indie bookstore closes. I hope another opens in its place.

Technical notes: This is the kind of scene I would never choose to sketch if it weren’t itself the reason for the sketch. The shop was mostly blocked by the outdoor seating shelter and a tree. In addition, the storefront was cluttered with a tent (someone’s residence?) and other stuff, most of which I ignored, but there wasn’t much of the store to see, let alone sketch.

On the other hand, it gave me an opportunity to use my latest warm/cool colored pencil pairing: Mars Orange and Grape Derwent Drawing pencils.

Third Place Books

4/28/21 Third Place Books in Ravenna

Although Third Place Books in the Ravenna neighborhood is only about a mile away, I have spent more time and money at its other branch in Lake Forest Park. That’s because USk Seattle has met at Third Place Commons numerous times, and a stop at the book store is always fun.

To celebrate Independent Bookstore Day last Saturday, I ordered from three local shops – Phinney Books, Elliott Bay Book Company and Third Place Books in Ravenna – and they all kindly offered curbside pickup services. In addition, Blackwing put out a limited-edition pencil to commemorate the day, so of course I had to get some of those, too.

I scored an ideal parking spot at Third Place facing the trellised entryway to Café Arta and Pub, which is adjacent to the bookstore. The café has an inviting-looking patio (with heaters, a sign assured chilly potential patrons) that I hope to enjoy sometime soon.

Books and limited-edition pencils, too!