New bookstore The Book Nest opens in Fall City

When Andrea Amstutz started The Book Nest as a pop-up in 2023, she never imagined she would go on to own the Snoqualmie Valley’s only bookstore.

The Book Nest, situated on Fall City’s main strip, shares a small building with a few other businesses. The shop had a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Carnation Chamber of Commerce on April 19, and Amstutz has spent the last month settling into her dream come true.

“When I first started out thinking about doing it, it felt very much unrealistic,” she said. “Over time, we’ve been able to slowly inch our way into what it feels like to be a business owner. Because I never would have imagined this was something that I would have wanted and dreamed of doing.”

Amstutz, a full-time veterinary assistant, lives with her husband and their daughter in North Bend. She and her daughter dove into reading during the COVID-19 pandemic, then living in Issaquah. Upon moving to the Valley, she says she soon noticed a lack of — and need for — a local bookstore.

The Book Nest was at first a pop-up at local events like block parties and makers markets. Then, in 2024, Amstutz hit the road with her shop, converting a bus into a bookstore on wheels. She continued attending events and setting up shop outside other local businesses in Snoqualmie and North Bend.

Amstutz still plans on taking the bus to Valley events, but now readers can visit the shop year round, rain or shine, in Fall City.

The store is small — but mighty — and Amstutz said she tries to stock a little bit of everything. She mostly stocks fiction, from mystery to romance to fantasy. She also has a children’s book section and sells young adult novels.

It’s also important, Amstutz said, to keep local authors in stock, such as local children’s author Karen Bowen. On May 24, Bowen will be at The Book Nest for a reading of her book “The Worn-Out Flag.” The book teaches children the significance of the American flag and what happens to a flag at the end of its life. Bowen will also walk Amstutz through the process of properly retiring her flag.

Amstutz wants to cater to all types of genres, as well as all types of readers — including those who don’t yet identify as such. She said she enjoys giving recommendations and helping customers find their perfect read.

“Oftentimes people come in who maybe haven’t read in a while, and they don’t necessarily identify themselves as someone who reads,” she said. “I’ve always felt like anybody can read. It’s really about finding what draws your interest. And I think a lot of people just don’t know yet, so that’s probably what I enjoy most about having my bookstore.”

Amstutz’s current recommendation is “Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall, a story categorized as a bit of thriller, historical fiction and romance. The book is the current read for Amstutz’s book club, a group of women she joined when she moved to North Bend who have since become close friends of hers.

Book clubs are something Amstutz hopes to offer at The Book Nest, likely separated by genre. She is in the early stages of organizing the groups, but says interested readers should keep an eye out. The shop is on Instagram @thebooknestwa and Facebook under The Book Nest.

Though she loves books, Amstutz said one of her favorite things about owning The Book Nest is the connections she’s making with her community. Selling stories has allowed her to learn the stories of others, too.

“It’s not just about selling the books, but creating places and spaces for people to go and enjoy their life,” she said. “I get to meet so many really neat folks that come in, and if I’m not busy, I’m able to have a chat with them and learn stories about people in the community. … You learn history about your community right around you that you wouldn’t have otherwise known.”