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 8th! While Powell’s Books has risen to national prominence, we have a lot of other great independent bookstores around town. Here are some of our favorite bookstores in Portland:
- Beaumont: Owned by Portlander Edee Johnson, Sunrise Books is a gathering place for all. This children’s bookstore has an incredible curation as well as regular events for parents and families.
- 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 collection 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 has an amazing collection of new & used books. Specializing in literature, poetry, and the arts, Word Virus has a well-curated stock 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 accept trade for books and yarn!
- 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.
- Mississippi Ave: If comic books are what you are looking for, browse Rose City Comics’ stock of collected editions and original graphic novels. They have something suitable for all ages.
- 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 assortment of mostly used books, some new books, vinyl, and collectibles. You’ll find yarn and books together at last at the community-minded bookstore called Two Rivers Books & Weird Sisters Yarn. They offer general interest and new titles in their book and yarn shop.
- Williams District: Always Here bookstore was born out of the belief that everyone deserves to see themselves in books, and that LGBTQ+ stories – especially those that are also BIPOC and/or disabled – are important, and they deserve to be told.
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.