Saturday, August 9th, is National Book Lovers Day, and Portland has no shortage of great bookstores for picking up some new reading material. Bookstores serve as important community hubs, fuel our passion for independent thought, and 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: If you’ve got little ones in tow, 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.
- 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: If you are seeking literature, poetry, and art books, Word Virus is a small, curated bookshop that is worth a visit.
- Lloyd/NE Broadway: A literary 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.
- Menlo Park: Operated by Friends of the Library, Rose City Reads has over 15,000 items, including books, graphic novels, cookbooks, DVDs, and LPs. Members save 10% on in-store purchases!
- Mississippi Ave: For comic book and graphic novel enthusiasts, Rose City Comics has something for all ages and interests.
- 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: If big bookstores are too overwhelming, you will love the curated selection at Lost Avenue Books. They also sell new and used vinyl!
- 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 result in a bold selection of 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 LGBTQIA+ 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.