Literary Portland
This book-friendly city is home to an annual book festival and the world's largest independent bookstore.
Blame it on the rain … or maybe being home to the world’s largest independent new and used bookstore attracts both writers and readers. No matter the reason, there’s no denying that Portland loves its literature. Plan a book-lover’s holiday with these guides to the city’s literary offerings, then check out our events calendar to discover even more things to do on your next visit to Portland.
Bookstores and Reading Spots
Peruse thousands of titles at these local bookstores and cozy reading nooks.
Powell’s City of Books
Covering an entire city block, Powell's is a landmark, a great bookstore and a microcosm of the city itself.
Portland Bookstores, Beyond Powell’s
Don't stop with the largest independent bookstore in the world; these seven other shops offer an abundance of literary riches.
Quiet Places Made for Reading
Pick up a winning read at one of Portland’s many independent bookstores and curl up in a cozy corner of one of these eight local coffee shops.
Lit in the Limelight
Well-crafted words on the page transformed into live literary adventures.
Live Storytelling Events in Portland
Hear true stories about love, sex, history, movies and even middle school at six regular live storytelling events in Portland.
Future Prairie: A Collective of Women and Queer Artists
Portland’s Future Prairie is a collective of women and queer artists that presents chautauqua-inspired live shows, as well as a podcast.
Tender Table
Portland’s Tender Table event series features performances and snacks by women and gender-nonbinary people of color.
Destinations for Book-Lovers
Grab your favorite book and head to these locally beloved reading spots around Portland.
Readings & Talks
Enjoy author talks and book discussions at these upcoming readings and talks in Portland.
Natan Dvir: Platforms
“New York-based photographer Natan Dvir brings a bit of the big city to Portland’s Blue Sky Gallery with his series of subway portraits, “Platforms.” The pictures capture New Yorkers in between places, waiting for the next train to arrive and whisk them to their destination. Some read books, some scroll through social media, some engage…
Oregon Book Awards
Join Literary Arts’ annual celebration of the state’s most accomplished writers in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers and graphic literature. Hosts in 2020 are Elena Passarello and Omar El Akkad.
UFO Festival
Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests, expert speakers
OryCon
OryCon is Oregon’s premier, fan-run, annual science fiction/fantasy convention held in Portland since 1979. OryCon is a 100% volunteer-based production of Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. (OSFCI), which is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 corporation.