Politics, Books, and Revolution: Left Bank Books Collective in Pike Place Market

Published September 1, 2025

Visited: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Some bookstores sell books. Others sell ideas that challenge the status quo. Left Bank Books Collective, tucked away at 92 Pike Street inside Seattle's famous Pike Place Market, definitely falls into the latter category. This worker-owned anarchist bookstore has been a fixture of Seattle's radical community since 1973, and stepping inside feels like entering a space where literature and activism intersect in the most authentic way possible.

A Bookstore That Looks the Part

Left Bank Books is exactly what you'd picture when you imagine a bookstore dedicated to politics and social justice. The two-story space feels lived-in and purposeful, with every inch serving the mission of promoting anti-authoritarian, anarchist, independent, and radical voices. On the second floor, there's a window seat with cushions that's been claimed by the community – covered in stickers and graffiti proclaiming messages like "Faggots Against Fascism," "Land Back," "Trans Rights Are Human Rights," and "Mask TF Up."

This isn't decoration for show – it's evidence of a space that truly belongs to the people who use it.

Organization with Purpose

The store's organization reflects its commitment to comprehensive radical education. With over 10,000 new and used books across nearly 70 sections, Left Bank goes far beyond surface-level political topics. Their "Practical/Tactical Skills and How-To" section alone is subdivided into healthcare and herbalism, martial arts, and intriguingly, "fun/illegal" among others. The extensive history section is thoughtfully divided by both time period and geographical region, while sections on queer and trans studies, feminist studies, Black studies, Native studies, and Latinx studies ensure marginalized voices are prominently featured.

What surprised me was their fiction section – refreshingly, they don't over-categorize their literary offerings beyond separating out sci-fi/fantasy/horror and young adult titles. They also have a solid graphic novel section and, like many independent bookstores I've visited recently, a growing selection of zines – a format I find increasingly intriguing but have yet to explore myself.

Community Guidelines

Before entering, know that Left Bank requires everyone inside to wear masks – they provide them if you don't have one. During my visit, I didn't see anyone object to this policy, which speaks to the type of community-minded customers the store attracts.

The Verdict

In a world of increasingly homogenized bookstores, Left Bank Books Collective remains unapologetically itself. This worker-owned cooperative isn't just selling books – they're curating a collection that reflects their values and serves their community. From their consensus-based decision making in bi-monthly collective meetings to their support of projects like Books for Prisoners, Left Bank demonstrates what it looks like when a bookstore truly embodies its mission.

Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. Is it exactly what you'd expect to find in the heart of Seattle? Absolutely yes. And in a city known for its independent spirit and progressive values, Left Bank Books Collective serves as a living reminder that bookstores can be more than retail spaces – they can be centers of resistance, education, and community building.

Left Bank Books Collective

92 Pike St #B, Seattle, WA 98101

Wed-Mon: 10am-7pm, Sun: 11am-6pm

Revolutionary literature in the heart of Pike Place Market