At Nook & Cranny Books, every book on the shelf tells a story you haven’t heard before. Recently relocated to the edge of Seattle’s U District, this boutique bookstore is a haven for curious readers spotlighting translated literature, queer voices, and underrepresented perspectives from around the world. We chatted with owner Maren Comendant about what makes her collection so unique, the joys of her new neighborhood, and why Nook & Cranny is more than just a place to buy books, it’s a space to discover, gather, and get a little nerdy.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Where are you located?

We just moved from our location in Capitol Hill, where we were for just shy of three years, to a spot just at the northern tip of the Ave in the U District, south of Cowen Park.

You called yourself a boutique bookstore that specializes in underrepresented voices. Can you say a little bit more about that niche style of bookstore that you’ve cultivated?

I have a special interest in translated work, so that’s sort of a direction that I’ve been heading. World lit, translated lit, and also highlighting queer voices and people who tend not to get published in the traditional industry.

You mentioned that you were in Capitol Hill, but you’ve just moved up here. So what’s the difference between the neighborhoods and what are you enjoying about this part of town?

It’s a very different vibe from Capitol Hill. It’s like a completely different demographic, completely different traffic schedule. It’s much quieter midweek and busier on the weekends. I’m just adjusting and figuring out what the people in the neighborhood want, which seems to be also different than my customer base in Capitol Hill. It’s definitely a process figuring out what that looks like.

I’m able to carry more historical nonfiction, which is another interest of mine. I’m really interested in reading about history of all kinds, and that did not fly in Capitol Hill, but people seem to like it here. I’m selling less fantasy romance, which surprised me, and my more niche world lit is selling better than it did before.

What are some businesses in the community that you like to support and want to give a shout-out to?

These top of the app businesses are so eager to collaborate, and they are awesome. Seattle Records has been fabulous about co-promoting businesses. Fancy Plants, this ficus over here is from Fancy Plants, she’s great. Sweet Peas Cake Shop have sinful cinnamon rolls, they’re only open on the weekends, but it’s been a delight getting to know everyone.

What were you doing before you were a bookstore owner?

I’ve done a lot of things, but most recently I was a chef. That’s kind of how this happened – I was in Maine working at this off-grid wilderness lodge cooking for the skiers in the winter of 2019/2020. They shut us down and then I came back homeless and jobless. I did a nationwide search for jobs and ended up in Iowa, because Iowa didn’t really shut down. I was there for a year working at this restaurant and knew no one, so I had a lot of time to business plan.

My original concept is called the “Rascal Cook”, stolen from Shakespeare. It was going to be books and a prefix menu, literary-themed restaurant attached. I’m so glad I didn’t do that because this is a lot all by itself!

That was the germ of the idea to start selling books. My biggest goal was just to not have to work for anyone else. Since I am a lifelong reader and book lover, it just made sense. 

So I came back and I was looking for funding to start that from scratch, and there was a post in the Capitol Hill Newsletter about a bookstore for sale. I thought, “wouldn’t that be hilarious if I bought a bookstore?” And then three months later, it wasn’t a joke anymore. I rebranded the store, bought the inventory and fixtures, which gave me a good head start.

Tell us a little bit about the events and things that people can engage in here.

I host a twice monthly open mic, and we do Art Walk once a month, and I bring vendors into the store. We have two (almost three!) book clubs. I’m adding a middle-grade book club for grownups that I’m very excited about so we can read all our nostalgia books from childhood. I’m looking forward to being able to do more non-traditional or maybe only bookish-adjacent events like game nights. I’m excited about the potential of this space for creative events.

Intentionalist is all about helping people find and shop at small local businesses in their neighborhoods. Why is this important to you?

It’s all about putting your money back into the community where you live. It’s just the capitalist side of mutual aid, right? So if you spend elsewhere, then that’s not benefiting you or your community at all. But if you spend at the businesses owned by your neighbors, then they are interacting with you, they are investing in the community, and I think it’s just more mutually beneficial for everyone.

Have you noticed anything about the book and reading community of Seattle?

Seattle is a very bookish city and they’re very kind to their indie bookstores, which is awesome. I mean, we were named a UNESCO City of Literature, and that’s just really exciting and gratifying. There’s a stereotype that the kids aren’t reading, but I know for a fact that they are and they’ll be okay.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We’re trying to build a new customer base and a new home, which is exciting and terrifying. If you’ve been to Nook & Cranny before, you should definitely come check out the new space because it’s so big and there are chairs you can hang out in.

If you’re a curious reader who wants to explore and experience new things that you might not find everywhere else, we have that here (and I can special order if we don’t!), and we have lots of gifts for non-readers as well. There’s something for everybody.

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