From vacation reads to picks for locals, Vashon Bookshop serves an island’s literary needs

In the whole of King County, there’s nothing quite like a summer Saturday in downtown Vashon. Islanders restock their pantries and catch up on local gossip at the weekly farmers market while tourists fresh off the ferry stock up on snacks and grilling supplies at the grocery store before heading to their rental cabins. Though it’s just a 20-minute boat ride from bustling West Seattle, the leisurely small-town pace of Vashon feels a world away from downtown Seattle.

A couple of blocks down the street from the farmers market, just past a four-way stop that strains under the weight of the week’s heaviest traffic flow, both locals and vacationers alike pack into Vashon Bookshop. At the counter, an overwhelmed regular asks for help finding graphic novels that her grandchildren…