This was a cute bookstore. They had some good cards and postcards which I appreciate because I am always looking for postcards. The book selection was pretty good not comparable to places like Powells though who have a way larger selection. If those spots overwhelm you because of all the choices then this would be a better spot. I got a softcover for 18.99$. They do have a punchcard though where if you get 12 books your 13th is free. read more

Broadway Books - Bookstores Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

This a unique and lovely independent bookstore in Portland, providing the BEST book options. There was a time when Portland had many more independent bookstores serving different geographical locations in the Northwest. Sadly, many of them did not survive because corporate bookselling came to town. Fortunately, Broadway Books has survived and thrived as a small independent Portland bookseller. This is the FIRST bookstore to visit if you long for independence, a welcoming environment, and knowledgeable staff. read more

A cute local bookstore right off Broadway St. Great place for buying a book for someone special! I recently came here on Independent Bookstore Day + they had some special deals and a wheel to spin for extra prizes. I was looking for a sci-fi book for a birthday gift for my dad - and they were able to recommend one with the space theme I was looking for. I was also able to get 20% off the book that day. They even offered to wrap the book, and did a lovely wrapping job for no charge :-) read more

Broadway Books - Bookstores Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

I love a good used book store with a cozy vibe, a wide variety, and good-quality books. Prices were reasonable and the staff was welcoming despite the crowded, cramped space. I had to restrain myself from buying too many books and for that, I'll be back! read more

Broadway Books is so cute! If you love books, definitely make a visit to support your local bookstore! Very clean, cozy, and welcoming! Hubby and I were visiting Portland to check out the area. Of course, other than bookmarking food places, alllll of the book places were bookmarked, too, including Broadway Books! I'm so glad that hubby and I were able to make a trip literally a few hours before our plane trip home. Walking in, cashier area is on the left, and basically there are books everywhere else, lol. I remembered the front having some stationary/gift items and some local authors. Signed booked seemed to be throughout the store, with children's section being in the far back right, and I think Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Fiction being the far left. It's definitely an organized bookstore; I just don't remember everything off the top of my head weeks later. :') The staff were great! They made sure to check in on me from time to time, and we were able to strike up a conversation on some of the authors that retell fairy tales. Very well-read folks, which I wholeheartedly appreciate! I remembered asking for a plastic bag or something to wrap the books in because the bag I had wasn't waterproof and I didn't really need another tote bag. They were able to thankfully fine one that worked, and I was happy to pay the 5 cents or 10 cents for it. They do update their Instagram regularly, and they do get signed books from time to time if that is your thing! I would recommend following them in case you're interested in events, as well, especially when authors come by to talk about their books. I believe there's street parking if you're driving by. read more

Broadway Books - Bookstores Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I suppose Broadway Books epitomizes the neighborhood bookstore, but it's so much more than that. After all, we travel from N Portland to do all our new book shopping there.... It's a small shop, all new books, EXTREMELY well curated, with a dazzling selection for such a small shop. Everything's well represented--the poetry section is fantastic--, although the religion/philosophy section could use a little lovin'. As it is, we went in for one book, and left with three and several excellent recommendations from the extremely well read and chatty staff. They also do a large business in special orders, and they frequently host readings and events. We love this store!! Do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

Super helpful staff and excellent collection of books to choose from. A great bookstore to support-

Excellent locally owned bookstore with great service. I've received quality recommendations. The staff know and love books.

My favorite bookstore in Portland. Great , well organized selections. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, and really nice wrapping paper options! read more

Local bookstore with employees who love books. This was one of my first in-person browsing experiences during covid and I was honestly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm when I picked up a pasta book I'd ordered. (It was nice to realize other people geek out about dough) They'll wrap books for you and there's a nice selection of cards. I try to pre-order cook books from them, especially local favorites like Gregory Gourdet and Joshua McFadden. They usually have a great window display and Michelle Obama spoke here. read more

It turns out there are more independent book stores in PDX than Powell's! Broadway Books might not be a superstore of reading, but they're pretty great. It's nice to shop on a more human scale, and they seem to still be fairly well stocked. I've gone here for a couple of quasi-obscure books in the past, and both times they had what I wanted. The staff was friendly and helpful, too! Support the little guy! Buy something from Broadway Books! read more

Lovely independently-owned bookstore with a nice selection of books for everyone. They also have calendars and greeting cards, as well as blank books for those who love to doodle and write their thoughts/novels/nonfiction exposes in a good-looking book. They sponsor readings and community-focused events. They will send you a monthly email detailing the goings-on if you sign up for it. This bookstore provides a little bit of sanity in a sometimes insane world. read more

I love checking out new bookstores and this one in particular I will be returning to. It had SO many options and the woman who was working at the time gave me some amazing recommendations! They also have a stamp card, so you can say I'll be using that for sure! read more

Local. Lots of free parking. Incredibly knowledgeable and helpful staff. I rarely post reviews, but I buy a lot of books, especially over the holidays. Every time I go in to Broadway Books, someone is available to discuss books, recommend books and locate hard to find books. These people love books and make sorting through the vast array of new books considerably easier. They read lots books and like to help you find a book that suits your tastes. I admit I have a problem buying perhaps too many books every year. But these are my people and they are, to a person, friendly, helpful and convivial. read more

Like Andy W alluded to, it's too bad that a review about Broadway Books can't help but include a mention of Powell's Books. It's like when two siblings - the Books, if you will - attend the same high school but have a few years of age between them. Younger Books walks into an English class and the teacher says, "Your sibling wrote such amazing essays. I expect great things from you." Younger Books tries out for volleyball and the coach is like, "Elder Books made the all-star team when h/she was just a sophomore. No pressure." Classmates who knew Elder Books can't help but talk up Elder Books' awesomeness. Broadway Books deserves more than an automatic comparison. Small, independent bookstores are not easy businesses to keep alive. This one uses its handy Broadway location to sell best-sellers, children's books, cookbooks, magazines, greeting cards, and fluttery reams of wrapping paper. The selection is not and simply cannot be as extensive as the darling independent city of books downtown. But if you tell the staff what you're looking for and they don't carry the title, they'll gladly order it for you. You miss out on the instant gratification you might receive by dropping into the big chain at the mall, but unless a new and never-mentioned Harry Potter book is miraculously released, how important is instant gratification to a reader? Be a good parent. Show love to both siblings. read more

Every neighborhood needs a coffee shop, a bar, a dry cleaner, a bakery, and a bookstore. Unfortunately, the grandiose scale and instant gratification offered at Powell's kind of make the little neighborhood bookstores seem superfluous. Invariably you're going to go in looking for a book that they have to order, and you have to weigh a three day wait against going downtown or over to Hawthorne. More often than not most of us are prone to just going to a Powell's. But really: how soon do you need this book? Are you worried that some tragedy might befall you in the next three days that will prevent you from reading the book that could have saved your life? Oh, if only I could have bought this book three days ago, tragedy could have been averted. I'm not going to tell you that Broadway books is the kind of place you need to travel across the city to visit. But if you're in the neighborhood, check it out. They have a mi casa su casa, community oriented attitude and are always friendly and happy to help out. read more

I went in to buy a jigsaw puzzle. When I brought it to the counter to pay, the salesperson asked me if I'd seen the book that the puzzle was based on. I bought the book, The Lost Words, which is a book designed for children but is a wonderful book for anyone. I've since sent it as a gift to others. The saleswoman gave me a great recommendation. I appreciate it. read more

I have recently joined a book club (because I am too lazy to finish a book unless other people expect me to), and one of the members said she received an email asking people to support this local shop during these economic times. So, next book I had to read, I went here. It was curious to see so many customers after hearing that this little store may be in trouble, but it still felt like a good idea to shop here. I was pleasantly surprised to see a really great assortment of books on display at a table near the door. I wanted to buy at least 4 immediately, including 1 local cook book and 1 Portland breakfast reviews book. Beyond the foodie stuff, there were quite a few well selected books that caught my attention. I immediately found my book club book, which was also on the first display table and began to make my way around the store. I found myself in the cookbook section (I know, I think I like food too much) and again located several books that I would like to own. Next, I made my way over to the political section and all though there may have been, I didn't see any of those rude, pointless, preaching to the choir, right-wing propaganda books from Coulter and Hannity. Which of course, I appreciate, now I may have purposely overlooked them and they are probably available - but I am glad that they weren't prominently displayed. They also had a display of graphic novels, which my sister is into right now, and I have a hard time locating at most book stores. Now, for the Powell's argument. I do enjoy Powell's, but I have to say that I have gotten lost there and always need help figuring out which color room I am supposed to be in. There was plenty of staff available at Broadway Books, and the size was much less intimidating. There were plenty of books to select from, and I overheard several customers ordering their books that weren't available, which frankly wouldn't have bothered me to do if my book wasn't there. I think there is definitely room in Portland for this place, and I will check here first before crossing over to the distant west side. I left with my book club book (Listening is an Act of Love) and a fancy new calender made from recycled products that gives you environmentally friendly ideas on each page. And then, I'll have you know I crossed the street to the bakery and got a cookie, don't judge! read more

It's a pity I don't ever buy new books. If I did I would surely buy them here. I always enjoy coming into this beautiful little independent bookstore. They have a good card and magazine selection and I often come here for that. I enjoy browsing here and the staff is really smart and nice. read more

Broadway Books is a nice place. Small independent bookstores are difficult to find. These places are on main avenues that people outside of those neighborhoods don't travel on. It is only by a pleasant surprise that a bookstore such as this exists. The place is modern. The books are set near the door. Each section is labeled. It's a very up to the date place that exists as an independent bookstore that hasn't created a second branch or increased in size. There are postcards near the cash register. There is the usual meet and greet of neighbors that occurs near the front door. The place fosters a sense of community even though it is in a greater area of a city that is across the bridge, down the highway, and over the river. It really is a nice place to check out. read more

Really cute independent bookstore. We got there just before they closed and didn't get to spend as much time there as I would have liked.

Excellent store with a great selection, thoughtful and helpful (and well read/passionate) employees, and a comfortable space to browse. We love shopping here and appreciate how the staff is so helpful with online orders especially. read more

Love a neighborhood bookstore! Helpful staff, decent prices, good selection of sale books. I also always buy my greeting cards here- they've got a great selection right in the front window so I pretty much pop in every time I walk by because it jogs my memory of someone's birthday/holiday/event that needs remembering! read more

I can't always make it downtown to Powell's and sometimes I just want a little more intimate perusing experience. (Not often, I love Powell's for there great selection and tremendous author readings.) Being new to the neighborhood I wanted to pay more than lip service to the shops that make this a great place to live. Going in I wasn't expecting much because I haven't always had great experiences at small bookstores. Usually too focused on topics I care little or nothing about. I was pleasantly surprised. The used book section was the highlite for me with a petite but clearly thoughtfully curated mix of well know or interesting topics and authors. The new books were good I guess but not the authors I feel comfortable perusing without a how-do-you-do book reading or such. I left with a used book on the history and family squabbles in the Sweet-N-Low corporation that had catchy cover art for 7.95, and I was pleased. read more

These nice people helped my out when I was having a bad day and being very rude to them. Support local small bookstores! I doubt that Amazon would be so helpful so quickly when you have a problem. read more

One of the advantages of a small neighborhood bookstore like this is the fact the staff really know their stuff. I went in today looking for very specific items and was given great recommendations. The owners of this shop are very helpful and if they do not have what you are looking for they will get it for you. Local businesses need our support and this is one I can get behind 100% read more

A treasure for the local community and a hub for the literary life of Portland. A little gem of a store, well curated, owners who can give outstanding advice, and a range of titles including a wonderful children's selection. Great cards and little gift items, too. Support independent bookstores every day! read more

Broadway Books is a great local bookstore with a well-curated mystery selection and a staff who enjoy talking about books. Added bonus: they'll happily order whatever you want. read more

Such an excellent little shop. Independently owned and oppressed by the nicest folks you'll ever meet, and with an unexpectedly vast and varied variety of books and gifts! Any opportunity you have to stop by for a few minutes is worth your time. Five stars! read more

For local, independent book shops in Portland, they don't come any better than Broadway Books. Friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff combine with a well-chosen selection of titles to create the perfect place to browse away a stolen hour before selecting just the right book (or books) for you. And for those who, like me, have a tendency to be in search of less widely read books, they are more than happy to place special orders as well. read more

Popped in here to buy something for Rebecca for her birthday. It was early, so it was pretty quiet. I had a very nice conversation with the clerk. She loves short stories and that is what I was looking for. A conversation is a great way to buy a book. Glad I stopped in. read more

Not what i was looking for. I wanted a cute little bookstore full of surprises but the only surprise i got was the prices. I picked up a journal and almost threw it back on the shelf as soon as i saw the price. I found a cute book on clearance but it's just like everywhere else, just not as big. read more

We have been coming here for 13 years and I finally get around to writing a review. This is a great neighborhood bookstore with a surprisingly comprehensive selection of books in every category. The service is always helpful, if they don't have a book they can usually get it very quickly, if you like a book they can suggest similar ones you might like, if you hear or read a book review and then can't remember the author or title they can usually figure it out for you ( thanks Sally). They also have cards, magazines etc. and will gift wrap books for you read more

Nice little neighborhood bookstore. Emphasis on neighborhood. If you don't live around here, no need to go out of your way.

I love this bookstore. They are extremely knowledgeable and if they don't know the answer they find it for you. They are willing to order any book you can't find there and are always willing to make recommendations if you don't know exactly what you want. Their selection is better than you'd expect from such a small space. I live on the West Side of Portland and make special trips over to visit them. Please support independent bookstores! read more

I love this place! I've gone several times and although it's small and at times feel cramped, they've got a really nice selection for a store of this size. The staff are absolutely wonderful and always willing to help. I am a faithful customer and fan for life, read more

I love our neighborhood bookstore! They are so down to earth, and willing to give suggestions, help you find the book you were looking for (when you've forgotten the full title and/or author), or order a book if it isn't in stock. They even have a book buying card which gives you book credit in the store after buying a number of books. read more

This is a great book store. Lots of choices, even though it is smaller. Nice atmosphere. Felt comfortable spending a long time browsing.

I know lots of people love this store, and I want to continue to buy books at the two small bookstores in PDX featuring new titles. However, every time I go into this store I find it distinctly unfriendly and cold. It grates. read more

Nice little store. I went in the first time because I got their mailer and saw a book I wanted to get for a gift. Unfortunately, when I went in, they "didn't have it stocked yet." It's pretty confusing why they would include a book in their mailer and then not have it in stock during the holiday season. They were nice about it and took my info to call me when it came in but it's the holidays and I'm really busy so I ended up buying it on Amazon. So much for buying locally :/ read more