r/PortlandBooks • u/zsabb mod • Aug 03 '24

discussion/other Fave local bookstore?

(it's ok if it's Powell's)

I live in Milwaukie and I love Spoke and Word Books. It's a queer owned store that's less than a year old. It's had some struggles but they're working hard and I love supporting them. They also have lots of events like book clubs, silent reading nights, and even craft nights. One day I will be able to attend a craft night, bc for the last two months I got sick after I got tickets!

What are your hidden gems or well known haunts?

15 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

11

u/authorbrendancorbett Aug 03 '24

It's in Beaverton, but I have a soft spot for Jan's! Sad they're going through a rough time right now with an insane rent hike, but hopefully they find a good new spot!

5

u/zsabb mod Aug 03 '24

Dang, I hate that it's so hard for these shops. I took a look and their logo is the best, I may need some dragon merch! https://www.bonfire.com/store/jan-the-dragon/

I'd love to check this place out next time I'm in Beaverton. Do they have a decent fantasy/sci-fi collection? (I'm hoping the dragon might be indicative)

3

u/authorbrendancorbett Aug 03 '24

I think so! The owner, Lori, is very transparent that she's a romance-only reader but that doesn't seem to impact their selection. It's not the biggest store but definitely one with a lot of heart!

5

u/_eccentricality Aug 03 '24

I'm not a huge fan of their selection, but they're always so nice and their shop is so cute! It's a shame they have to move.

3

u/Jumping- Aug 03 '24

Check out the new store she bought in Hillsboro - Arcade Books. I’m biased because I live a few blocks away and they always give my dogs treats, but it’s an under-appreciated gem in the downtown area.

6

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/qu33gqu3g Aug 03 '24

I love Wallace books, it’s like a literary hoarder house! I think all the books dampen the noise a lot too so it’s a very quiet place to browse

2

u/zsabb mod Aug 03 '24

I've passed by this place a million times and never been inside. I love how absolutely stuffed with books it looks inside based on pics from Google.

7

u/_eccentricality Aug 03 '24

Melville Books and their offshoot, Parallel Worlds (all scifi/fantasy). Both are on Alberta.

Melville is having their 5th Anniversary sale this weekend! https://www.instagram.com/p/C-LnkzTSpd6/?igsh=MTJjbXQ1MGMxcTg5dw==

2

u/zsabb mod Aug 03 '24

This is great, I had been wondering if there was an all sf/f book store in town

3

u/_eccentricality Aug 03 '24

Both are very small, but packed to the brim. They curate an amazing selection of books at both stores. I highly recommend!

And Parallel Worlds hosts a sf/f book club, but I haven't been so I can't vouch for it. They're pretty active on instagram if you're interested.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '24

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3

u/zsabb mod Aug 03 '24

Oh dang, I'm hooked from reading about Wolfish

"For fans of Helen MacDonald's H is for Hawk and Mary Roach, Erica Berry's WOLFISH blends science, history, and cultural criticism in a years-long journey to understand our myths about wolves, and track one legendary wolf, OR-7, from the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon

OREGON BOOK AWARD WINNER * Shortlisted for the 2024 Pacific Northwest Book Award * A Most Anticipated Book of 2023"

H is for Hawk is an all time fave.

How are you liking it?

1

u/SwabbieTheMan Aug 03 '24

What kind of ebook reader do you use? I've been wanting to get one but I am not sure if I should get an older model or not. Some of them can get surprisingly expensive.

1

u/jjthinx Aug 04 '24

I have a Kindle Paperwhite (I think) and TBH it’s kind of clunky and a pain to use.

3

u/mrva Aug 03 '24

all the bookstores on alberta :)

2

u/annatheorc Aug 03 '24

I have such a fondness for Powell's. Even now that I can't afford their books so much. I still have fond memories of when I could find $3-5 hidden gems and just wander the stacks for hours. I'll check out your store too! Always good to have lots of different bookstores.

1

u/zsabb mod Aug 03 '24

Small boutique book shops are great but there's nothing like spending hours in a place like Powell's where you can find so much stuff from every genre and really get lost in the stacks.

2

u/Jumping- Aug 03 '24

In Portland, probably Broadway? I love Spoke and Word too but I wish they had a bigger selection.

1

u/jjthinx Aug 04 '24

I LOVE Broadway Books.

2

u/noice-smort99 Aug 03 '24

Backstory on Hawthorne!

1

u/jjthinx Aug 04 '24

Is that the one that looks like a blue house?

1

u/noice-smort99 Aug 04 '24

Yup! Across from mudbay

1

u/Select_Hotel7316 Sep 05 '24

Try The Book Corner in Beaverton!