Lake Oswego bookstore provides great selection, affordable prices

Booktique II, a hidden gem sure to pique the interest of any book lover, is less than three miles away from campus at 4 Monroe Pkwy., Lake Oswego. This used bookstore has all the classic charms of an independent bookseller, with tall bookshelves that require stools to reach the top and books stacked and displayed on every available surface. The atmosphere is calm and cozy, and it seems easy to get lost among the stacks or strike up a conversation with any of the friendly and helpful volunteers. 

Booktique II was founded by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library in 1991. All items in the store are donated by the Lake Oswego Library, or by anyone else looking to offload extra books. It is also a great place to find relatively recent releases, because you can find copies of books that are library overflow. Booktique II is run entirely by volunteers, who can be seen working the cash register, keeping the shelves tidy and cataloging new donations. Thanks to these donations and volunteer work, Booktique II is able to keep its book prices incredibly low. 

Susan Bailey, a volunteer employee, vouches for Booktique II’s affordability.

“Especially if it’s an ex-library book, it might be five bucks,” Bailey said, “whereas you would have been paying 25 for it as a new book.” 

Booktique II is also a good spot to look for fiction, classics, cookbooks and even science books. In addition to books, Booktique II sells CDs, DVDs and gently used puzzles. The largest section of the store is fiction, but there are also large collections of other genres, such as biography and art. 

“We have a lot of really beautiful art books,” Bailey said. “If someone is interested in a book of paintings by Van Gogh, we probably have that.” 

On multiple trips to the store, I have purchased an illustrated book of conifers, a small book about feminism and several paperback classics, all for a total of less than ten dollars. 

I feel even better about my purchases knowing that all the money made by Booktique goes directly back to the Lake Oswego Public Library to fund library services, such as summer reading programs. Booktique II is a valuable resource for the surrounding area, and volunteers and shoppers alike take pride in the positive impact the store has on the community. 

Additionally, Booktique II seeks to be accessible to as many people as possible. 

“Part of our goal is to make (Booktique) available to students,” Bailey said. 

Booktique II has recently updated their hours so that they are open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays so that students from elementary school to college have time to browse for books after a day of class. The store also accommodates curbside pickup, as well as shipping orders made online. 

Booktique II is less than a ten minute drive from LC. It is also easily accessible via a short trip on the 38 bus line. They are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday (and until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays), as well as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. They also have a second, smaller location in downtown Lake Oswego, simply named Booktique.

Booktique II is a great place to check out if you are interested in a large range of books at great prices. If you decide to drop by, plan to leave some room in your schedule to get lost in the stacks.