August 9th is National Book Lovers Day and Portland has no shortage of great bookstores to pick up some new reading. Bookstores serve as important community hubs, fuel our passion for independent thought, and have put Portland on the map as a literary destination. 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 favorites.
- Alberta: 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: The Arrangement has been delighting customers for 40 years and is a great place to shop for beautiful gifts, home decor, clothing, jewelry, and children’s books. You won’t want to miss Sunrise Books, a children’s bookstore that seeks to build an inspiring and playful space for the growing reader.
- Belmont Area: Belmont Books has a small but curated selection of books that always aims to surprise and delight customers.
- Central Eastside: If you are looking for something from another era, Mother Foucault’s specializes in used, rare, and vintage books and spoken-word vinyl.
- 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 Area: With spring approaching, it’s time to start prepping your garden. Left Field Garden Supply has a nice selection of books that both novice farmers AND urban farmers will find helpful.
- Lloyd/NE Broadway: A Lloyd District destination since 1992, Broadway Books is a women-owned bookstore that takes great pride in helping customers find wonderful reads, bringing together authors and readers, and supporting local authors.
- 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!
- Mississippi Ave: Worn Path is a retail shop focused on being outside or bringing the wonders of the outside world into your home. They have a great selection of clothing, gear, and books.
- 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.
- Soul District: For a great selection of BIPOC authors, visit Black Hat Books. It is home to unique collections of Latinx and Native American literature and history, as well as one of the largest collections of African American literature, history, and poetry in the Pacific Northwest.
- 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.
- Williams District: Always Here is a queer and neurodivergent-owned bookstore 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. Check out SpielWerk Toys for a great selection of children’s books.
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.