Portland's Best Bookshops

"If your idea of a perfect day is an endless meander through tall stacks of books, you're in the right place. Portland is loaded with great bookstores, more than 20 of which we list here. Powell's monolithic "City of Books" is no doubt one of our favorites, like browsing the internet in person. But neighborhood places make up the bulk of this list, most of which have a distinct focus that will steer you in new reading directions-toward that Irving Penn monograph you never knew you needed, that early Claudia Rankine book of poems capable of shifting your worldview-not necessarily books you're already looking for."

"(If you are shopping for something specific, many of the stores listed do sell online through Bookshop.org, which provides the local shop with a commission). These are also the best places to kill a few hours, days, or weeks, and despite your best intentions, add to the piles eternally weighing down your nightstand, coffee table, and shelves."

Portland hosts more than twenty notable bookstores, including the vast Powell's "City of Books" and numerous neighborhood shops with individual specialties. Neighborhood bookstores frequently curate focused selections that lead readers toward photography monographs, poetry, queer literature, political theory, and obscure magazines. Many independent shops sell online through Bookshop.org, returning commissions to the local stores. The bookstores serve as community hubs for author events, cooking classes, and extended browsing. Examples include an LGBTQ+-dedicated shop carrying literature for all ages, a Multnomah Village store operating since 1978, a gallery-front bookstore with hard-to-find magazines, and a cookbook shop on Alberta Street.

Read at Portland Monthly