There is no better way to pass a rainy day than curling up with a good book. Bookstores hold a special place in the hearts of Portlanders. They serve as important community hubs, fuel our passion for independent thought, and have put Portland on the map as a literary destination. In case you didn’t know the Portland Book Festival is coming up on November 4th! While Powell’s Books has risen to national prominence, we have a lot of other great independent bookstores around town.

The leadership team here at Venture Portland LOVES to read so we thought we would share books that we are enjoying! Here are some thoughts from our team:

Joy Church, Executive Director: “I had the pleasure of going to Literary Arts in August to hear a talk between authors Ann Patchett and Cheryl Strayed. From that, I’ve re-engaged with Patchett’s work. I highly recommend her latest novel titled, ‘Tom Lake,’ and her 2016 book called ‘Commonwealth.’ I am also looking forward to stopping into Broadway Books to grab a copy of ‘Our Strangers‘ by Lydia Davis! She has decided to *only* sell this book exclusively through independent bookstores, even with the backlash she received from publishers!” 

Jacob Falkinburg, Communications and Member Services Director: “I’m currently reading Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter. It is a crime novel written in 1966 that follows an orphaned teenager on the streets of Portland. Currently available at Powell’s!”

Nana Hoerth, CII Director: “I just read a book from Nike Greene, called From Trauma to Triumph. Nike is a Portland Native, who has also recently been recognized and awarded by Portland interscholastic league. Her story is one of trauma and triumph that talks about being raised in the streets of Portland, and being a biracial woman of color. Super inspiring.”

Samantha Montanaro, Events Manager: “I am so inspired right now by reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. As an artist and creative person through and through, finding inspiration and getting into “flow state” can be a big challenge. The Artist’s Way is helping me gain confidence in my creative process and really, gain confidence in myself.”

Here are some of our favorite book stores in Portland:

  • Alberta: Green Bean Books is a wild and whimsical, community-based, independent, children’s bookstore. They have an ever-growing selection of board books, picture books, beginning readers, middle-readers (tween books), young adult, and even titles for adults. Art lovers rejoice at Monograph Bookwerks, which features a curated selection of books on modern and contemporary art and artists, architecture, graphic design, fashion, photography, artist biographies, countercultures, theory, and art criticism.
  • Beaumont: Owned by Portlander Edee Johnson, Sunrise Books is a gathering place for all. This children’s book store has an incredible curation as well as regular events for parents and families. 
  • Belmont Area: Belmont Books has a small but curated selection of books that always aims to surprise and delight customers.   
  • Central Eastside: Mother Foucult’s Bookshop specializes in used, rare, and vintage books. They are known for their wide and eclectic selection of philosophy, foreign language, arts, fiction, and poetry titles. 
  • Division/Clinton: Check out Third Eye Books & Gifts’ extensive selection of African-centered books, accessories, and gifts; the largest in the Portland Metro Area.
  • Foster: Word Virus Books may be small, but it’s mighty! The cozy bookshop just off of Foster (situated behind Pieper Café…hint hint) has an amazing collection of new & used books. Specializing in literature, poetry and the arts, Word Virus has a well curated selection and is certainly a must-visit. 
  • Hawthorne: Check out Backstory Books and Yarn. This independent, woman-owned, book and yarn store specializes in crafts, textiles, nautical, and African-American books. They also offer trade for books and yarn! 
  • Hollywood: Crooked House Books offers Portland beautiful and unusual books and ephemera online, at local shows and in their showroom. Their specialties include decorative bindings, books by, for, and about women, cookery, domestica, literature, and odd & unusual ephemera. 
  • Lloyd/NE Broadway: A Lloyd District destination since 1992, Broadway Books has been selling new and used books, as well as non-book items such as greeting cards, calendars, journals, games & puzzles, paintings, and holiday-specific items. This woman-owned shop is known for supporting local authors and hosting amazing events.
  • Midway: Bearly Read Books has been spreading the joy of reading to SE Portland since 1975. Stop by for a great deal on used books of all genres, and say hello to the resident bookstore cat, Shadow!
  • Multnomah Village: If you live in Southwest Portland, Annie Bloom’s Books is your go-to spot for a large range of books across many genres, plus magazines, CDs, and cards.    
  • St. Johns: Revolutions Bookshop is a small, independent bookstore specializing in a curated selection of mostly used books, some new books, vinyl, and collectibles. Their academic and punk roots make for a bold selection in all genres, especially everything weird and wonderful. You’ll find yarn and books together at last at Two Rivers Books & Weird Sisters Yarn, a community-minded, general interest, new titles bookstore and yarn shop.

This list is non-exhaustive. If you have another favorite independent bookshop, be sure to support them. What are you currently reading? Show us on Instagram and Facebook.