Favorite Portland Bookstores: Powell’s City of Books, Floating World Comics, and Reading Frenzy (Plus, Linework NW Festival)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The mix of old and new books makes for ideal book hunting. An entire shelf of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books!

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So many used books gems to be found, like The Slander of Witches.

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There is also great signage everywhere; even the small paper signs on shelves are thoughtful and personalized.

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Fantastic curated shelves, like this one of death-related books in the Medical section.

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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.

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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.

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Floating World carries a wide selection of independent comics and zines, but they also have mainstream comics, art books, magazines, and more.

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Truly, Choose Your Own Adventure.

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Old school Drawn & Quarterly.

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Landfill Record Unit, a record store, is also located inside Floating World.

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There were a few Stinckers vending machines by the entrance. I really liked the Foxing bookplates, so I tried my luck twice…

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Super happy with my results!

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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.

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The new space is much brighter, and still stocks independent/small press books, zines, and prints.

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Show & Tell Press — an offshoot of Reading Frenzy — publishes local zine/iconography compendium Crap Hound, so back issues and related products are available.

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Cute stationery and paper goods like Max Ernst postcards and Wrap Packs from UK magazine Wrap.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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