The first time I visited Portland, my friend’s flight left earlier than mine so I had three hours alone in the city. I ended up spending all three hours at Powell’s City of Books, and I still didn’t have enough time.
I love Strand Books in New York, and Powell’s is like a much larger, sunnier, spacious version with plenty of seating and an in-house coffee shop.
If you ask about a book at one of the information desks throughout the store, they will fill out the book’s location — the section, subsection, room, and aisle number — on a special yellow slip of paper; then they will show you on the map how to get there. That’s how big Powell’s is.
The mix of old and new books makes for ideal book hunting. An entire shelf of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books!
So many used books gems to be found, like The Slander of Witches.
There is also great signage everywhere; even the small paper signs on shelves are thoughtful and personalized.
Fantastic curated shelves, like this one of death-related books in the Medical section.
World Cup Coffee & Tea is the coffee shop inside of Powell’s. The first time I visited, I discovered that a cup of iced tea here was only $1.50 — coming from New York, the combination of price + quality + size was unfathomable to me. In my mind, this deal reached legendary status. I stopped by Powell’s twice this trip and got a cup both times; my friends mocked my enthusiasm, but seriously, what a deal!
Book lovers, I think it’s worth traveling to Portland just to pay homage to Powell’s City of Books.
If Powell’s is the Portland version of Strand Books, Floating World Comics could be the Portland version of Desert Island in Brooklyn, my favorite comic/art book store in New York.
Floating World carries a wide selection of independent comics and zines, but they also have mainstream comics, art books, magazines, and more.
Truly, Choose Your Own Adventure.
Old school Drawn & Quarterly.
Landfill Record Unit, a record store, is also located inside Floating World.
There were a few Stinckers vending machines by the entrance. I really liked the Foxing bookplates, so I tried my luck twice…
Super happy with my results!
I visited Reading Frenzy on my last trip, when it was located near Powell’s City of Books. It has since moved and expanded, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign.
The new space is much brighter, and still stocks independent/small press books, zines, and prints.
Show & Tell Press — an offshoot of Reading Frenzy — publishes local zine/iconography compendium Crap Hound, so back issues and related products are available.
Cute stationery and paper goods like Max Ernst postcards and Wrap Packs from UK magazine Wrap.
There’s also a gallery in the back, which I didn’t see because they were in the middle of setting up an exhibit. I’m so glad Reading Frenzy is alive and well — it’s definitely on my list whenever I’m in Portland.
I was mainly in Portland this time to help my friend, who participated in the first-ever Linework NW Illustration and Comics Festival. It was held in a cool space, Norse Hall (hence the Scandinavian flags).
I didn’t have much time to walk around, but I liked these paintings on wood by Knotpile; the little white dudes reminded me of Treeson — both adorable.
Overall, it was a crowded festival with a fun energy. For fans of indie comics/illustration, zines, and local artists, it’s worth stopping by Linework NW if it happens to be on — it will only get bigger and better.
