Local Bookstores

The most famous bookstore in Portland is Powell’s City of Books (Google Maps) on West Burnside Street (north side of Downtown), and I feel it lives up to the hype. A must-see experience since 1980 with multiple floors and 6,300 square meters of shelves. It squats on an entire city block in the Pearl District (which sports many restaurants and shops).

Another fun experience is Wallace Books on Milwaukie Avenue in Sellwood (Google Maps) as this house is crammed floor-to-ceiling with bowed shelves laden with bookworm gems. If you are looking for something particular, ask the great staff, otherwise, just meander through the rooms and take in the sight.

A recent addition to our frequented haunts is Mother Foucault's Bookshop on Morrison Street (Google Maps), which specializes in philosophy books. You might enjoy their reading and music events (click the calendar link on their website: motherfoucaultsbookshop.com).

Other honorable mentions:

• The Green Bean specializes in kids books
• Annie Bloom's has a great selection of cookbooks
• Third Eye Books has a focus on Black authors

Oh, In Other Words, the inspiration behind the Women and Women First episodes of Portlandia, is no longer open.