The Best Independent Bookstores in Portland, Oregon

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This list might as well start with Powell’s since no list of Portland bookstores would be complete without the literary institution. The West Coast’s counterpart to New York City’s celebrated 18 miles of books that is the Strand Bookstore, Powell’s City of Books opened its doors in 1971, and it now claims to be the largest independent bookstore in the world. With seemingly never-ending shelves and aisles of new, used, rare and out-of-print titles, Powell’s continues to delight local readers and traveling bookworms visiting from around the world.

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Sitting proudly on Irvington’s NE Broadway since 1992, Broadway Books is a local favorite, delivering all kinds of titles to all kinds of readers, but a few years ago, it looked like the shop’s end was near. Founder Roberta Dyer’s son Aaron Durand had something of a social media presence and decided to take matters into his own hands. With what started as a single tweet, Broadway Books went on to experience its most profitable holiday season, and business has been thriving ever since.

Tucked away in the Southwest Portland neighborhood of Multnomah, one finds Annie Bloom’s Books, a small bookshop with a lot of charm. Locals love it for its handpicked selection of titles, local author section, customer service, and its great assortment of greeting cards—as well as the resident cat, Mollie Bloom, of course.

Known for its unique array of rare and antiquarian volumes, as well as periodicals, posters, maps, and vintage ephemera, Longfellow’s Books & Music on Southeast Division is one of Portland’s more niche literary destinations. With over 7,000 titles in its inventory and limited hours (1–5pm, Monday through Saturday—sometimes), this family-run business is best contacted directly, especially if you’re interested in browsing in person or selling that very special tome.

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A literary heaven for serious bibliophiles, Mother Foucault’s Bookshop manages not to be too intimidating (though perhaps a bit pretentious, according to some). Others believe it to be one of the best bookstores in the United States, curated to feature stunning selections of poetry and high-brow literature—“like the library of a very educated, very wealthy person,” according to one fan.

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Reaching national fame thanks to a little television show called Portlandia(which the shop does not hold in very high regard, at all), the In Other Words Feminist Community Center is a beloved independent bookstore operating in the Piedmont area of Northeast Portland. In Other Words is a perfect place (and a safe space) to find all sorts of books, as well as zines and gifts such as knitted goods, handmade jewelry, and empowerment-focused artwork. Its only drawback? “Due to the patriarchy,” they require a $5 minimum on credit and debit card purchases.

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Sitting in the Alberta Arts District, Green Bean Books offers a literary haven for the kiddies. Children’s books and educational toys, along with events and story hours, make it a family favorite across the city. Portland parents come from near and far to expose their kids to the joy of reading and wonder of stories. A lovely patio makes for a perfect storytime setting on warmer days, and the store is worth a look even if you don’t have kids.