Portland is the perfect city for book lovers and avid readers. From holes-in-the-wall to city block-sized shops, even the most voracious reader will be satiated here. I bravely took it upon myself to visit bookshops around Portland, and have curated a list of my favorites. It was such a daunting task that, in fact, I lost hundreds of dollars in the process. You have been warned.
Powell’s City of Books
Easily one of Portland’s most famous bookshops is Powell’s City of Books, located on Burnside Street downtown. The store boasts ten expansive rooms, each catering to different genres and interests. In each room there are books, of course, but also gifts from various businesses available for purchase. If you lack the enthusiasm of the book-loving friend who dragged you in, rest assured, there will definitely be something that piques your interest, from gorgeous mugs to cool socks to quirky tote bags.
If you are the book-loving friend, you are in luck! Powell’s is both a used and new bookstore, so pricing can vary. I am a proud cheap-skate, so I tend to check around for a used version of a title if I can only find a new one. They also have sale sections and used-specific sections, though most of their used books are in very good condition, so Powell’s being on the higher end of the pricing scale for used books is usually justified. Despite its size, “I got lost” is unfortunately not a valid excuse for why you disappeared into the shelves for four hours, because Powell’s has a great navigation system within the store, hanging signs pointing every which way. In addition, there are very helpful bookseller counters in each room, and associates are more than happy to assist in finding any title.
Belmont Books
Belmont Books is my top choice for used books in Portland. It is a fairly small shop, but manages to fit almost every book I could ever want within its walls. The pricing is very reasonable, and if you do not mind more beat-up copies you may find great titles for as low as a few dollars. Most used books here range from $4-8. The shop has merchandise available with their logo, as well as zines and eclectic postcards for just a dollar. Their sections are well labeled, and it is easy to find a favorite author on the shelf. Keep in mind that this is a used bookstore (for the most part), so they may not have every title you need. That said, if you are looking to discover niche, unknown authors, it is no challenge here. Belmont is also a wonderful area to walk around, and you can find coffee or food before you empty your wallet at the bookshop.
Belmont Books is active on Instagram @belmontbookspdx and posts updates regarding sales and events at the shop. Be sure to check frequently, and I am sure I will see you at their next sidewalk sale!
Mother Foucault’s Bookshop
According to their website, “Mother Foucault’s specializes in used, rare, and vintage books.” Mother Foucault’s is a small shop with a dark and cozy atmosphere. The shop is located on SE Morrison Street in Portland’s industrial district. Stacks of books lie haphazardly on the floor or tables, adding to the charm of the store. There are labeled fiction and philosophy sections, and many titles can be found in multiple languages. They have a wide variety of used and rare books, from American history to poetry to mythology. Their collectible section at the front of the store is sprawling, including versions of Shakespeare anthologies as well as other older authors. If you stumble and find yourself in the Northwest Industrial Area, Mother Foucault’s is definitely worth checking out.
Wallace Books
Another one of my personal favorites, Wallace Books in Sellwood, is a hidden gem. The shop is a converted house stuffed to its very brim with books, and is characterized by a yellow exterior with blue trim, with an even prettier interior. The front room features mainly fiction, before twisting into a hallway filled with cookbooks and graphic novels. Well-known authors of each section are clearly labeled, with all of their books stored in plastic crates stacked atop one another. Wallace Books is another bookstore that features both new and used books, all of which are lovingly kept in great condition. They have a section for everything: plays (including niche paper-bound scripts), science fiction and even a smut shelf for the spicy folks. Wallace Books is just a 17-minute walk from the Sellwood Pio stop. I strongly recommend taking a peek inside Wallace Books if you find yourself in Sellwood with the urge to take a stroll.
Suits Me Fine
The interesting thing about this “bookshop” is that it will not come up on Maps if you search for bookstores near you. Located about a one to two-minute walk from the Pio stop in Sellwood, Suits Me Fine is that odd house-looking building with the sci-fi posters and giant stuffed sasquatch in the windows, easy to find if you walk towards Columbia and Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels and just keep going. It is understandable if you have not seen it – it has taken me a whole school year to take notice and finally venture inside.
The two people who I believe were the owners were very sweet and helpful, and the books were absurdly cheap. I grabbed “The Vegetarian” by Han Kang — which I have been dying to read — albeit with a little bit of water damage, for $2. The atmosphere of the store is so unique — it is situated underneath a house, in sort of a basement situation, so the ceilings are disproportionately low, however, low space does not stop the store from carrying plenty of seemingly random but very interesting titles. The books are separated into sections, and the store carries jewelry, records, CDs, posters and interesting knick-knacks as well. Suits Me Fine has a little bit of everything for everybody, so do not be afraid to descend the steps into the basement bookshop.
Which shop you choose depends mostly on what you are looking for. If you are used to a larger, more Barnes & Noble feel, I would suggest Powell’s, which carries plenty of new books and is very organized. They probably have any title or author you might look for. If you are feeling more adventurous, however, try checking out Wallace Books or Mother Foucault’s, which have a more random, mysterious selection. Whichever bookshop you choose, it’s hard to go wrong in a book-loving city like Portland.
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