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Name any subject, no matter how obscure, and there's probably a book written about it. And you can probably find that book at Powell's. With more books for sale under one roof than many public libraries, if you can't find it there it probably doesn't exist.
In my days at Lewis & Clark College in the early 90s it was one of my favorite places to spend a rainy Oregon afternoon. I'd go in with nothing particular in mind and probably come out with an inexpensive treasure or two. I've returned to Portland several times since then (and plan to go back in July) and I usually try to work a visit to Powell's into my schedule. It's just part of the quintessential Portland experience, and in a city that itself is devoid of any major tourist draws, it's a tourist attraction in itself.
Dear God, this is one of the biggest bookstores I've EVER seen. Floor after floor of books shelved higher than one can reach, entire rooms devoted to a single topic, and a massive used book collection... this place feels more like a library than a bookstore.
There are so many books, I can almost say with confidence that if you're looking for a book (that's not out of print), Powell's probably has it. If it IS out of print, it's probably in the used section. I love going to bookstores and walking out with a book that I had no intention of buying, but with such a huge selection random awesome book discovery is a bit daunting. It's probably better to go to Powell's when you know exactly what you want, because I spent nearly an hour in the photography section and walked out empty handed because I had no idea which I wanted.
In any case, it's a great bookstore; the staff isn't the most friendly, but when you have so many books, who cares???
Couple of pain-points; the prices on the new books aren't the best; maybe since they're not BN or Borders, they can't have rolling 40% deals on titles, but I would have expected a place like this to have pricing as one of their strong points. Also, I wish they had a music section; then I would happily dub this place as the best bookstore ever!
This place is like an amusement park. Hope you grabbed a bite prior to walking it because you may get hungry after walking Powell's bookstore. It's about three stories high and rooms are seperated by colors which in turns tells you exactly what they room offers (I.E. sci-fi, military, etc.)
There's endless books here. Everything from used to brand new books. The prices are decent, you can find a deal on many books especially if you don't mind if they're used. Plus they buy back books as well.
I would highly suggest you planning out an attack before coming here. Figure out if there are any books in particular you want to purchase then go after those first. Then break down your search by genres. If you just want to walk in here and browse at random, you might literally be stuck in this maze for hours.
Also, if you coming with company, I hope you guys all have cell phones or plan a meet up spot/time before splitting up. You will definitely lose each other and it's a major pain to play hide and seek in this store.
Happy book hunting.
THIS PLACE MAKES ME DIZZY.
I am not much of a reader. I admit it. I do enjoy a good book, but where am?... I am at purple, seeking neon clear.
Are you kidding? This is Book Church. If you like books you go here, or if you like watching people shop for books, go here. I picked up pride and prejudice and zombies, it was in at least 34 different rooms...Which floor am I on and why am I surrounded by zombie books.
This place inspired me to read, that says an effing lot. Go here buy books, learn.
As the 646th reviewer I doubt I this will be the review that will topple the deck but rather be part of the positive growing additions.
So I'll be blunt and basic: You love not just books, but vast varieties, people watching, hipster browsings, book minglings, random finds, and just basically wasting away your hours in such an amazing place then one, such as myself must make a stop here at least a few times in my life.
The prices I would argue with - I know I could find most of the books on amazon for way cheaper but if your looking to get that book right now then this would be the place to support with purchase!
It boggles the mind how many books are here. And I love the colored rooms which correspond to a type of book. They also have greeting cards, lots of magazines, art, notebooks, funny action figures... all kindsa stuff. I don't even read much and I love going there. Also a great place to use the bathroom if you're at buffalo exchange.
I love books. Having worked for one of those box store bookstores I know a little something about bookstores. This place was my heaven. There are so many books, so well organized, at such great prices. It was incredible. The best. I am so sad I live soooooooo far away. I could happily get lost in there for hours on a regular basis. My boyfriend had to stop me at a certain point because I just kept putting books in my basket and wandering to new sections and new floors and acting like a kid in a candy store.
I want to go back right now!!!
651 reviews and almost all of them 5 stars....c'mon now, did you really think I would break that trend.
The best bookstore I've ever encountered. Long before I ever visited Portland, I loved Powell's. I had heard about it from fellow book collectors, and in those pre-internet days they had an extensive phone and mail order business. The first time I called to ask if they had any books by a few particular authors I collected, they mentioned that they could only look for three authors at a time on a phone order. I mentioned three semi-obscure French writers, all members of a particular small literary group. When the clerk returned to the phone, she told me what they had by those authors [far more than any ordinary shop ever had] and then mentioned that her manager had said I would probably want to know about some other books they had. She then listed a dozen or so by a couple of toher members of the same literary gorup. I was quite impressed both that they made the extra effort to seek out other items of interest and that the manager was that knowedgable about relationships among European writers who are far from household names in this country. Both the service and the expertise characterized all my subsequent dealings with Powell's. I later wood and won a Portland lass, and had many opportunities to browse the City of Books [not an overstatement] in person. I always find great stuff. I still get up to visit my late wife's family and still enjoy every trip to Powell's.
It's a good place to browse, especially in sections that are organized by subject matter. If you know exactly what you want, you'll save a few bucks by ordering through Amazon-- but if you're in the mood to browse, you're in the right spot. That alone makes Powell's a great place to find gifts (you'll notice that it's absolutely mobbed come holiday season).
Sure, it's not your cozy neighborhood bookstore. Maybe it's more like a big university textbook depot. But I've never gotten any serious "hipster" or "snob" vibe from Powells; it seems like the people who've complained about that on Yelp have some serious insecurity issues (or an irrational fear of eyeglasses). Look around-- it's filled with tourists and students and downtown office workers on lunch break. If you think that's "hipster", then I can't imagine how mortified you'll be with the rest of Portland.
I want to give this 6 stars.
The people that works there are so friendly!
If I lived in Portland and had the money, I would spend hours in there every week!
I think this is by far the biggest book store I have ever been to! I got lost in there! I realized I was going in circles after I ended up in the purple room 3 times. The size of the store is a shock for me because it's an INDEPENDENT USED/new bookstore! Usually they're smaller than a post stamp but this one, it's a lot bigger than the entire apartment building that I live in!
I went there twice within 2 hours because I was so distracted by all of the books there I forgot to even look at half of the books I wanted to look at in the first place... I must have spent about $50 to $60! Never I have done that in a book store! Plus I have never brought anything that is not a book at any bookstore, but at Powell's I brought a map (there's a freaking LONG wall of it! and then the shelves that sticks out from the walls along with travel guides!), a bookmark, and a reusable bag! Tsk! I'm suppose to have some money left so I can pay for the hostel in Seattle. Luckily I do...
I wish I could teleport so I could be here all the time. When I was visiting last summer, I had to buy a new backpack to take all my purchases back with me on the train ride home. Their used fiction is beyond phenomenal. Out of the 40 books my boyfriend and I bought, less than 10 were new. These sorts of finds were unheard of to me before Powells. Love it x1000000.
NOT A FAN
Passed through the place the other day. Unenthused. The prices remain SKY high, made me want to remain in the red section; and, the abysmal counter help with all that intellectual snobbery gone blankety blank in their plingy wire framed skulls sent shock waves... regret the repeat offense to my sensible senses!
If you go to Powell's to purchase a used book at new book prices fine, money is no object!
If you go…
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I've never seen a larger bookstore in my life! (But I haven't been to many bookstores...I was one of those kids who hated reading...)
Loved the great selection of - everything - and the organization of it all. How great.
The prices of cookbooks I checked out were definitely cheaper than other prices online...
I kind of wish there were more modern-day psychology books (Jung and abnormal were sections, but not much else) - but then again, I also realize that there isn't much of a market for psychology books for non-psych people.
Just want to say, love this place. It reminds me of the Elliott Bay Bookstore back home in Seattle but only 5x bigger. Also it's a nice touch that they incorporate used books with new books, that way we don' t have to pay full price for books that we may or may not like after we take it home.
The cafe is also a nice touch, but but but...why are the romance novels next to the cafe?!?!?!?!
I can only dream about shopping at Powells in person, but as a regular online shopper I can testify that every shopping experience I've had has left me 110% satisfied! Their selection of new and used books is unmatched anywhere. Each order is confirmed by email almost immediately, with a new email sent out when the order has shipped.
I had to contact customer service once--and only once--because they sent the wrong item. I called rather than email and the rep on the other end was very friendly and efficient. She emailed me a postage-paid return label that same evening and immediately credited my account.
Books, glorious books-oh how I love thee!
Another bookmarked and must try place in Portland that Jen K. was kind enough to escort me to. Sadly, we didn't have hours to spend here (seriously, one could get lost in this place), but I loved being surrounded by books old and new.
I bought a souvenir hoodie and the clerk forgot to take the security sensor off (something that seemed to be a theme this visit to Oregon) and upon exiting we were approached by a nice guy asking if we just made a purchase. I followed him in, he took the sensor off and had a great attitude. Nice service-even from the original checker who forgot to remove the sensor.
Cool place and not looking for a bargain here, just something to keep the love of books and the indie owned places alive!
Perfection. That is Powell's in one word. A bookstore in a city that takes up a whole city block - amazing.
I can get lost in this place and love every minute. I recently visited and had my books shipped home. What other store does that? Awesome. The staff is awesome and knowledgeable. They have fun little kitchy items as well as a rare book room. Used, new, hard to find? They have it all.
Super awesome = Powell's City of Books. Seriously.
What to say that others haven't? I have to admit that Powells is one of the reasons I moved to Portland, and I live within walking distance of their main location on Burnside. Here are a few of the reasons I'm in love with the store:
New and used books side by side.
I can check their inventory online, saving myself a fruitless trip.
The awesome staff who go out of their way to help you.
The sheer depth of their collection, I mean it's a whole city block not to mention the warehouse facility.
Their book-buying counter that offers more in trade than in cash.
Great selection, HUGE store with loads of used, reasonably priced options. Love it! Unfortunately though, I had to fly home with luggage a good 10 lbs heavier than it was when I came. Darn.
Oh, Powell's. Your hipsteriffic staff were unimpressed by my unbridled enthusiasm and barely refrained from rolling their eyes. Your rare and collectibles section keeps different hours, so I missed it, even though it was the part I most wanted to see. Some of your used books are a bit steep on the ol' price scale.
But...how could I stay mad at you? Have you SEEN you? You're all-encompassing. When I walked in, I wanted to stand there, throw my arms up, and spin in a circle while triumphant music (maybe the Mary Tyler Moore theme) played. Instead, I could only wander about with reverence, bug-eyed and slack-jawed, trying to take it all in (and not get lost and have to become an urban camper deep in your bowels, living off a strange tea I would brew from your empty shipping boxes). But I could build a pretty sweet fort out of all those books. Or an empire.
Powell's, I want to marry you, make sweet, sweet love to you (papercuts be damned!) and grow old with you, until our pages are yellowed, our spines are bumped, we are covered with previous owners' inscriptions, and there is some slight foxing.
Oh, bliss.
If you're in town, you certainly must visit Powell's City of Books. It's paradise for those bookworms. To my surprise we ended up staying there for 2-3 hours - probably bc it's a labyrinth of books. Even though we were all buzzed with alchy, we were still capable to indulge and enjoy our visit. Looking for a book ... they got it!
Powell's, just to be near you, I would leave the comforts of my home in Austin and become a lowly squatter in your "city" of books.
It's a Portland Institution and will ruin other used book stores for you forever! Every time I come home for a visit, I have to stop by Powell's and I buy books like you can't get them elsewhere. It's my hometown bookstore therefore I cannot give it any less than 5 Stars!
Powell's is a bookworms dream, with an entire room for most major categories. Each room is color coded in case you get lost in the aisles upon aisles of books, you could get lost here easily. In the days before cells phones it was not uncommon to have to spend an additional hour on top of your shopping time searching for the rest of your party.
You are encouraged to take books with you to the coffee shop and flip through them while you are trying to decide what you want to purchase. All of the staff is super knowledgeable in their respective fields (literature, architecture, history, science etcetera). You can pretty much bet the person helping you find your book has a degree or two is the subjects they select books for. If they don't have it in their huge selection of new and used books they will find it and order it for you!
After regular business hours you can park for free in the Dr. Marten's parking lot across the street. Super convenient since Powell's is always open late! There is a parking garage specifically for Powell's but it is very narrow and has a very steep ramp. Frankly it terrifies me! I recommend trying for street parking during the day if you can find it. The garage is only worth it if you are hauling a heavy load of books to see back.
A tradition for the locals and a must experience for all tourists!
Pretty much went to Portland just to experience Powell's... and was NOT disappointed.
This is Mecca for lit lovers and readers of all stripes.
I realize that this place probably doesn't need another review (because everyone who hasn't been there will eventually go there, and everyone who has been there knows what it is like) so I'll share a short tidbit instead.
The coffeeshop has a Barista-written comic book behind the counter that they have taken turns writing in for the past few years. It's pretty funny, and if you ask the right Barista, they might remember it and let you look at it for a while. New Baristas might not know/remember it, so there's a 50/50 chance of getting to see it. If you keep at it, though, you'll reap the rewards.
However, I'm an anthropologist that happens to like this type of thing. Your own experiences may vary. Some restrictions apply. Offer available only in Oregon.
Another thing - the Rare Book Room is a treat, especially if you're into 1st editions and obscure stuff. I found the original Wizard of Oz books there, which made me really happy.
A bookstore that takes up a whole block.. this was definitely one of the highlights on my trip to Portland!
I love bookstores. Where I'm from, you can either choose to go to Barnes and Noble or Borders. Powell's is incredibly impressive. It's organized by different rooms, which is assigned a color. This is sort of what I'd imagine Wikipedia to be like, if it were to take on a physical form.
Prices for books can be pretty high. But the bookstore is huge, so it does take some time to look for a deal. If you can, try to sneak a peek in the "Rare Books" section and room. It's really cool!
I could write for days about the hours upon hours I've spent aimlessly wandering Powell's, but I couldn't do the place justice.
Yes, some of the books are on the pricey side for being used. Yes, it is impossible to find a spot to sit in the cafe after 10:00 a.m. However, for what the store lacks in cheap used books and seating, it makes up for in...well, everything else.
Full disclosure: Powell's holds a soft spot in my heart, as it incites gross nostalgia for me. Regardless, Powell's has something for everyone -- an amazing rare book room, great author chats, and nearly every book you can think of (the only place in Oregon I've been able to find Lady Audley's Secret, including university libraries).
Last time I was in here, they were having a great sale on books that you'd actually want to read. Also, if you're looking for one of those green Oregon stickers, they sell them here. :)
Oh, and my favorite section? The Blue Room, of course.
Pros - Massive amounts of books. It's like...absurd. Easy to find books too, with those handy dandy computers of theirs.
Cons - A bit snobby hipster-ish here (SHOCK). Biggest con, thus three stars only - price of used books. Doesn't hold a flame to places in WA like Half-Price Books - which is 50% OR more on used books. Powells? Not so much. Boo urns.
While browsing the shelves of the self proclaimed world's largest independent book store, it's very easy to become overwhelmed. But after you realize that they have any book you can think of, you'll fall in love with this store. My favorite thing about Powell's is that they shelve the used books right next to the new copies. This makes finding the cheapest available copy of a book very easy.
Not only are the employees super nice and friendly, but they conveniently located computers make finding any book extremely easy. Their magazine selection is quite expansive as well. While their zine section leaves a little to be desired, one can't complain too much as most bookstores don't carry zines, especially won't shelve them right next to the magazines.
It's amazing that used copies of books are so moderately priced because they pay very well when buying used books. Selling your books to them is super easy and you can either get cash or 20% more in store credit.
Last but not least, the cafe is quite nice. My favorite thing they have is vegan chocolate milk (made with rice milk). It's sometimes hard/impossible to find an open table but that's why to-go cups were invented. What a great way to browse an awesome bookstore than with a delicious cup of coffee in your hand.
The first time I walked into Powell's 15 years ago I almost cried because I realized I would never live long enough to read all of the books I want to. I can't ever leave Portland, for that would mean leaving Powell's. This place is magic. Go there now.
I WANT TO GO TO THERE!!!
I love this store like I love my hypothetical children! If I could live in there I probably would... It's pretty much any book lover's dream, plus a cafe.
They have a wonderful, vast selection, books for bargain hunters and rare book collectors alike. It's really quite beautiful...
One of my favorite things to do in the world, is wonder around a book store. So while i was in Portland...like 2 years ago by now... i found Powell's... the biggest book store i have ever seen! It's ridiculous. They actually have maps that you can follow. I am not kidding you I heard a little old lady ask an employee for help because she had been trying to get out of the store for 45 minutes. When he tried to point her in the right direction, she insisted on him walking with her out the door as she didn't trust his directions. I wondered around for a an hour or so and found so many fun old or uncommon books. So fun! If you are in Portland, I say check it out for sure!
I hate conforming, and posting 5 stars for Powells City of Books and hailing it as the greatest bookstore on earth seems to conform to everything everyone else is saying.
Unfortunately, fascism wins today and I, too have to give in and say that Powells rocks.
The store is unrivaled in its ability to satiate people from all walks of life- whether they be fans of Noam Chomsky or Britney Spears. Cats or Dogs (or both). Salt or Pepper. Well, you get it.
Also, I love the nonchalant employees, who have that "I know I'm totally Portland, and you wish you were as Portland as me" attitude. They epitomize Powells, and Powells epitomizes Portland.
They have everything, that I can say for this place. But it's really popular and hard to navigate. The crowds of Portland hipsters are so desperatly cool that they ooz "I'm too hip to care that you want to pass by me..." or "Gawd, I'm trying to read Pinchon while standing in this aisle because buying the book and walking out wouldn't be kewl..."
Now that I think of it, I've never bought a book here. I've been here countless times, but for some reason I really don't want to give my money to them. In fact, the only thing I have ever bought here was coffee.
Oh, the coffee people. So I'm at the coffee stand and, being a Starbucks regular (gasp!), I was mulling over the fact that their 16 oz. were called Venti's and the 20 oz. were Grande's. I casually mentioned it to the barista (some ultra-hip dude) in a humorous way, and what a mistake. I was was quicky tongue lashed by the tragically hip gentleman! He sucked back his too-cool-for-you lips and said, "Yeah. Does that BLOW your mind, or what?" No joke. Sorry, man. I forgot where I was.
And then the espresso sucked. No joke.
Love it! I'm a huge fan of used bookstores and believe that Powell's City of Books is the best bookstore! Why only 4 stars and not 5??? The main problem I have with Powell's is that the prices for some books are great and others are just okay... For example, many paperback books can be found cheaper at other used bookstores or even online. Coming from Santa Cruz, CA I'm totally for the "Mom and Pop" store and not into the large chain stores etc... (We've got a couple of great bookstores in town as well including Book Shop Santa Cruz and Logos Books and Records). However, it's tough to pay more money even from Powell's when it can be bought else where for cheaper... That being said, Powell's City of Books is still the most amazing bookstore and experience. I'm a total fan and love this place!!!
You can bury me here.
Nestling Vonnegut on one arm, snuggling some social theorists.
Just lay me down.
I'm still using their maps of the store as bookmarks- daily reminders of the GLUT of books available there. Searchable stock so that you can find the best deal IN the building on any one book?
The joy. Unparalleled.
Uhhh. Does this place really need a review? It kinda speaks for itself. It's a bookstore so big it has it's own office building. It's a library where you can check out the books forever. It's the best place to buy used or new books and a real pleasure to visit on every level.
There's no point in comparing it to another bookstore. Powell's has become, for me, the definition of a Bookstore and anything else is just a store that happens to sell books.
The only experience I can even begin to equate with Powell's is Hay-on-Wye, the "town of books" in Powys, Wales, where every store that doesn't sell food, sells books. And if you squeezed the entire town of Hay-on-Wye into a single city block, you'd get most of what Powell's has. But not everything.
It's big...but not so big that you can get lost easily. Besides it being like 4 stories, and a lot of stairs -- the place is laid out well. Easily color-coded for navigation. The gift section is small yet cool, with some weird stuff. Their coffee area is always packed -- and usually not worth it. But the main attraction is their books -- and tons-o-books they indeed have. From rare books to best sellers, Powells has them. Look for the used ones, smattered in between the new ones, to save some money.
For all you Santa Cruzians this place is like Logos downtown on Pacific Avenue but a million trillion gazillion times better... yes.. such a color coded well organized place exists. This is literally a city....all of my hs students ended up getting some type of book... one almost started hyper ventilating and was way overwhelmed...he ended up with 7 or 8 books. The specific books I wanted were not in stock (granted these were super left political books that even the Left Bank in Seattle did not have on hand) but the service was stellar and gaping in total awe of the massive amount of books and bookstore products was ridiculous.
A definite place to stop if you are in this city
We specialize in buying and selling used books. We buy thousands of books from people every day so that our stores have a wide variety of inexpensive books.
We also have an amazing room devoted to rare and collectible books.
And, check out our art gallery in the Pearl Room. We have a new exhibit every month.
And not to brag too much, but we've been voted sexiest staff in Portland a couple of times in recent years by the Portland Mercury.
Established in 1971
From humble storefront beginnings in 1971 on a derelict corner of northwest Portland, Oregon, Powell's Books has grown into one of the world's great bookstores, with seven locations in the Portland metropolitan area, and one of the book world's most successful dot-coms (www.powells.com).
Powell's roots began in Chicago, where Michael Powell, as a University of Chicago graduate student, opened his first bookstore in 1970. Encouraged by friends and professors, including novelist Saul Bellow, Michael borrowed $3,000 to assume a lease on a bookstore. Michael's father Walter, a retired painting contractor, worked one summer with Michael in the Chicago store, and upon returning to Portland opened his own used bookstore.
Michael joined Walter in 1979, creating a bookstore with a unique recipe that, though viewed as unorthodox, worked: Used and new, hardcover and paperback, all on the same shelf, open 365 days a year and staffed by knowledgeable and dedicated book lovers.
In 1979, Michael Powell left his Chicago Bookstore to join his father in Portland, purchasing the store from him in 1981. Since that time, Powell's has grown into a "semantic superpower." Michael has been at the center of Portland's social, political and artistic growth over the last twenty years.
Michael is adamant about the importance of free expression and is usually first on the scene for civil rights causes. "When you call Michael on a free-expression issue," says David Fidanque, head of the Oregon ACLU, "if he's not on it already, he'll be there soon." Portland author Sally Tisdale adds, "He's very generous. He doesn't look for credit and he's been very important in anti censorship efforts."
He and his staff have intentionally created a reader-centered bookstore: "With the wooden shelves, the cement floors, the tall aisles, we have a sense of space. A place where the lights are a little too dim, a place that's a little dusty, doesn't exude the feeling of buy and get out."
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland
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