Books are gifts that keep on giving in their ability to entertain and inspire.

Finding a bookstore that understands the need to offer a large selection of publications and outstanding customer service only heightens the experience of buying books.

Welcome to Garfield Book Company at PLU.

Located at 208 Garfield St., within a page turn of Pacific Lutheran University, the 8-year-old bookstore offers local customers a place to shop that supports and fosters learning in the community. The store is also the university's bookstore where students can find course materials and PLU merchandise.

"We have a large selection of fiction, non-fiction, young adult, history, art and the most current cookbooks," wrote Amanda Hawkins, store manager, in an email.

Books not in stock are easily and promptly ordered.

"We have books for the nine through twelve (year old) age group, early readers and board books, to say nothing of all the New York Times best sellers."

Those best sellers are always offered at 25 percent off the list price, and all other books are 20 percent off list price.

In addition to books, the store also offers apparel, housewares, and health and beauty products. Amplifying the holiday cheer is Garfield's one-of-a-kind Scandinavian Shop.

Keenly aware of the Scandinavian heritage of the university and area inhabitants, all items in the shop are either made in or have a tie to the Scandinavian region.

"It's a great place to find cooking and baking supplies for Scandinavian recipes, to say nothing of the inspired holiday décor and books in the shop," continued Hawkins.

The shop also carries a large selection of Dansko shoes.

The key to Garfield's uniqueness and success lies in its airy, neat, colorful and welcoming atmosphere. Employees greet customers with a smile and a kind word or two when they first walk in the front door.

"When you shop at Garfield Book Company at PLU, you can always expect to feel welcomed," explained Hawkins, "because we pride ourselves on the atmosphere and appearance of the store."

She also pointed out that all items in the store have been hand picked and purchased with the customer in mind.

"This is something you won't find in a big-box retailer, where all of the buying is done in a corporate office thousands of miles away," said Hawkins. "Most of the items in our store are not things you are going to see in a mass retailer. We are unique."

For more information about Garfield Book Company at PLU, visit www.garfieldbookcompany.com or call 253.535.7665.