What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 12pm - 6pm Thursday 12pm - 6pm Friday 11am - 7pm Saturday 11am - 7pm Sunday 12pm - 6pm

Always Here Bookstore, 4555 N Williams Avenue, Portland, OR (2026)

05/21/2026

July's theme is Pirates - Voting is live now and will close on May 25th!
We’ll be meeting in person on July 15th, 6:30PM!! Masks required ♡

📚 July options:

Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland
Scarlet Morning by ND Stevenson
Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee

Image description: A graphic of our logo (with ‘Book Club’ instead of ‘Bookstore’), to the right of the logo is the text 'July’ & ‘Pirates’. Below the logo/text are four oval frames with the book covers, at the bottom right is a text box with ’Voting closes 5/25 @ 11 AM'. The texts are all in coloring boxes with colors matching our logo. The background is a blurred picture of bookcases.

05/19/2026

The hard work of authors is not an "AI input."

It is not "unique repurposable data" for ChatGPT to regurgitate.

Together, we are asking fellow booksellers across the country to join us in taking a stand against "AI-generated" books.

As booksellers, we reject the assumption made by book publishers like Harper Collins that we would willingly play a part in what they have envisioned as the "AI-powered" future of our industry. Instead, we recognize the power we wield in refusing to do so. In solidarity with authors and the countless other real human beings responsible for bringing books to life, we refuse to knowingly promote "AI" works or stock "AI-generated" books on our shelves.

𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 "𝗔𝗜", 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁.

🔗 Find the open letter which contains a shared pledge against "AI books" our links.

‼️ If you're a bookseller who brings that "f**k AI" energy into your work – regardless if you're a bookstore owner, or you just signed on for a seasonal position at your local Large Regional Chain Bookstore™️– we ask you to consider signing on.

💡 Supporting folks who aren't booksellers also welcome to sign!

🖋️ Current signatories include:
Always Here Bookstore
Second Shapes Bookstore
Passages Bookshop
Floating World Comics
Books with Pictures
Midslumber Media
Lost Avenue Books
Wallace Books
Burnside Rare Books
Revolutions Bookshop
Grand Gesture Books
Arches Bookhouse

+ many other bookstores (including several well outside of Oregon!)

Is your favorite bookstore willing to take a stand against AI books? Tag them below.

Image description: On a bright orange background, the text "We will not stock AI books at this bookstore." "Our shelves are for art made by real humans." At the bottom, the letters "AI" are circled and crossed out.

05/15/2026

Join us for a virtual event for Celine Ong's highly-anticipated MM pro wrestling romance HOLD ME LIKE A GRUDGE!

Celine will be in-conversation with Mason Deaver, taking audience questions, and discussing the q***rness of professional wrestling with us.

📹 This event will be livestreamed via Instagram with an opportunity to participate in audience Q&A! Find the event listed under our bio to be reminded when it starts, or RSVP via our events page! 🌐

Celine Ong (she/they) is a bisexual author based in sunny Singapore. Graduating with a B.A. in Psychology in 2021, by day, she works with her local q***r community. By night, she’s just a little court jester. Presently, she is battling yet another mosquito (and is losing horribly).

Mason Deaver (they/them) is the bestselling and award-winning author of young adult books like I Wish You All the Best, an NPR Concierge pick with a movie adaptation; and The Feeling of Falling in Love. Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, Mason now calls San Francisco home, with three feline roommates.

🤼‍♂️ ABOUT THE BOOK ⛓️

When a fierce rivalry between two professional wrestlers heats up beneath the spotlight, neither man can fight the attraction burning between them, in this steamy sports romance.

“A knock-out of a debut, Ong delivers a sweet and steamy romance as a heated rivalry that turns into a tender love story… Trust me when I say this book will have you more than just a little hot under the collar.”—Mason Deaver, author of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project and I Wish You All the Best

“Heated Rivalry lovers, this one’s for you.“—Marie Claire

👉 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 + 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀! 👈

📍Where: Virtual via Instagram Live
⌛When: June 29th @ 6p PST

Image description: At the top, a horizontal bar logo of Always Here Bookstore + "Virtual Event!" "Celine Ong" "X Mason Deaver" On the left, a 3D-effect cover of Hold Me Like A Grudge by Celine Ong. On the right, Celine's author portrait. Below, Mason's author portrait. A mock wrestling ring is in the background. Spotlights are at the top. At the bottom, the text "6/29 @ 6P PST"

05/12/2026

May (and some June) Events!

💌 5/15 @ 6:30 - 8p - Zine Folding Party with Little Zine Revolution

🪩 5/16 @ 12:30p - Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend -Joy Michael Ellison

📚 5/20 @ 6:30p - Always Here Bookclub: Nevada by Imogen Binnie

🎤 5/27 @ 6:30/7p - Q***r Poetry Takeover open mic! Signups at 6:30, mic at 7

💖 5/28 @ 6p - Always Here Member Social Night!

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨6/1* @ 6:30p - And They Were Roommates - Page Powars with Alison Cochrun

🦭 6/4 @ 5:30p - Teen Book Club: The Girl from the Sea by Lee Knox Ostertag

🪻6/5 @ 6:30p - Summer Fae Pary & Hyacinth Labyrinth book launch - Jamie Pacton with Rosiee Thor

📝 6/7 @ 3 - 5p - Political Prisoner Letter Writing with

*Please note that the And They Were Roommates event is on a day we are normally closed (Monday)! We won’t be at the store until it’s time to set up for the event!*

🔎 Find event details in our links

‼️As always, events are sober, sensory-friendly, and 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱. Find our full accessibility statement on our site

✅ Testing highly encouraged prior attending! (You can pick up a test from us for free)

Image description: A series of slides featuring an ordered list of events, followed by "poster" style slides for each individual event. All relevant information from slides is also included in text post above

05/10/2026

Join us for a SUMMER FAE PARTY to kick off Portland Book Week and for the launch of Jamie Pacton's new book: The Hyacinth Labyrinth! We'll have fae-themed treats on our patio under the magical late-Spring twilight, activities, and more!

Jamie will also be discussing Hyacinth Labyrinth with Rosiee Thor, answering audience questions, and signing books!

👗 Dressing up HIGHLY encouraged! 🎭

🍄 About the book! 🪽

A lush, fairycore, sapphic YA fantasy that returns readers to the Fae world introduced in Jamie Pacton’s bestselling novel The Absinthe Underground!

A whimsical adventure full of magic, fantastical road trips, and a sapphic slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance—for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Jamie Pacton is a bestselling, award-winning author who grew up minutes away from the International Storytelling Center in the mountains of East Tennessee. She has a BA and MA in English literature, and she currently teaches English at the college level. Her YA fantasy novels include The Absinthe Underground, an instant national bestseller. Her YA contemporary books include Furious, Lucky Girl, and The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly. Her adult fantasy romance debut, Homegrown Magic, published in 2025.

🎟️ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 VERY 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱
👉 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 + 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀! 👈

📍Where: 4555 N Williams Ave
⌛When: June 5th @ 6:30P

‼️As always, events are sober, sensory-friendly, and 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱. Find our full accessibility statement on our site
✅ Testing highly encouraged prior to attending! (You can pick up a test from us for free)

Image description: On a purple background, the text "Summer Fae Party" below, a swirly organic design. Below, the text "Jamie Pacton X Rosiee Thor" On the left, a picture of the cover of The Hyacinth Labyrinth by Jamie Pacton. On the right, a portrait of the author. Below, a portrait of Rosiee Thor. Below that, the text "6/5 @ 6:30P"

04/29/2026

Please join us for an author storytime with Joy Michael Ellison, author of the new book Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend!

Kicking off a picture book series of LGBTQ+ biographies is this inspiring story of the incomparable dancer Willi Ninja, Grandfather of Vogue and star of the film Paris Is Burning.

Joy Michael Ellison is a writer, professor, and activist. Their published books include Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution. Their political commentary has been featured in The Washington Post, Columbus Alive, and Matter News. You can find their creative writing in the Baltimore Review, Story Club Magazine, and Lunch Ticket, to name a few publications. When not writing, teaching, or organizing, Joy Michael Ellison loves watching birds.

Copies of Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend will be for sale at the event, and there will be a book signing + Q&A opportunity!

🎟️ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱
👉 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 + 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀! 👈

📍Where: 4555 N Williams Ave
⌛When: 5/16/26

‼️As always, events are sober, sensory-friendly, and 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱. Find our full accessibility statement on our site
✅ Testing highly encouraged prior to attending! (You can pick up a test from us for free)

Image description: On a paper-effect background filled with colorful doodles, the text "Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend" "Joy Michael Ellison" "5/16/26" "12:30P" A cover of the book is featured, along with a portrait of Joy Michael Ellison.

04/26/2026

It's the Sunday after Independent Bookstore Day!

Y'all absolutely crushed us yesterday. We're so, incredibly grateful for every single person who visited us for Indie Bookstore Day 2026.

We wouldn't be here without you. We wouldn't be doing this without you. Your willingness to accept us as a safe space for our communities continually leave us at a loss for words. Thank you for helping us go through *hundreds* of masks so our space remains accessible for everyone - because *everyone* deserves some q***r bookstore magic in their life.

We had a visit from the neighborhood cryptid and part-time employee Buffers the orange cat, who decided to actually work a full shift at the bookshop for once because there was an all-day non-stop parade of people giving him attention.

🗺️ Come see us today for day 2 of North Portland Bookstore Crawl! It's not too late to start your stamp card for a chance to win a huge raffle package

🎫 Our Libro FM golden ticket was found! Congrats to for spotting it. This year's hiding spot was devilish but attainable!

🎈 Wanna shop with us online and get FREE SHIPPING? Our expanded online store via Bookshop (link in the links) is still offering free shipping through the end of the weekend!

Credit for this amazing(!) photo:

Image description: A wide-angle effect photo of a green sidewalk sign reading "Always Here" "Q***r Books & Gifts" with hearts. The bookstore building is in the background, logo sign visible, with people entering the store. An orange cat stands to the side of the sidewalk sign.

04/26/2026

It's the Sunday after Independent Bookstore Day! 🎈

Y'all absolutely crushed us yesterday. We're so, incredibly grateful for every single person who visited us for Indie Bookstore Day 2026.

We wouldn't be here without you. We wouldn't be doing this without you. Your willingness to accept us as a safe space for our communities continually leave us at a loss for words. Thank you for helping us go through *hundreds* of masks so our space remains accessible for everyone - because *everyone* deserves some q***r bookstore magic in their life.

We had a visit from the neighborhood cryptid and part-time employee Buffers the orange cat, who decided to actually work a full shift at the bookshop for once because there was an all-day non-stop parade of people giving him attention.

🗺️ Come see us today for day 2 of North Portland Bookstore Crawl! It's not too late to start your stamp card for a chance to win a huge raffle package

🎫 Our Libro FM golden ticket was found! Congrats to for spotting it. This year's hiding spot was devilish but attainable!

🎈 Wanna shop with us online and get FREE SHIPPING? Our expanded online store via Bookshop (link in the links) is still offering free shipping through the end of the weekend!

Credit for this amazing(!) photo:

Image description: A wide-angle effect photo of a green sidewalk sign reading "Always Here" "Q***r Books & Gifts" with hearts. The bookstore building is in the background, logo sign visible, with people entering the store. An orange cat stands to the side of the sidewalk sign.

04/24/2026

𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! 🌸🎈

1 - Our friend did an amazing job on some hand-painted lettering. "Out of the Closets! Into the streets!" is a protest chant originating all the way back to the Gay Liberation movement of the 1960s

2 - We finally parted ways with the tables that have been with us since the pop-up days. The sole table that remains, though, is as old as the building we currently occupy. Right now, we have our Books Through Bars (.books) display up, and much more

3 - New logo totes are available! We're stoked with how these came out. Find 'em next to the hats from our friends at

4 - We expanded our nonfiction section + created lots of subsections on topics like nature, abolition, parenting, and more. This is where you'll find our local authors as well, in addition to stationery and annotation supplies

5 - New, easily browsable gift sections for bookish things like bookmarks, patches, mini prints, buttons, and pill organizers labeled "autism pills"

6 - Our infoshop has never been more full of free zines!

7 - Our zine section has never been so full of zines (but these you pay for, promise it's worth it 😘)

8 - RETURN OF THE STICKER WALL. Folks who visited us during the pop-up days might remember our massive wall of stickers. What if we told you that this wall has MORE stickers than that? They're just closer together now 😎

9 - Our darling poetry window. Oldies shifted down onto the floor because the entire bookcase begged to be poetry only. Also find a chapbook & poetry zine spinner in this section

Always Here Bookstore is a work in progress! It always will be. We all change as time goes on, and this bookstore is an extension of the humans who have the unbelievably good fortune of running it thanks to the support of you all.

🎈 This Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day (that's tomorrow!), and the beginning of the two-day North Portland Book Crawl!

📍 Come see us this weekend, grab a punch card to win some prizes, explore the newly-refreshed bookshop, and don't forget to look for that mysterious golden ticket hidden somewhere in the shop!

We love you!
- AHB crew

Image descriptions: Mostly described as above, additional details as-needed in the alt text on each image.

04/23/2026

Today's the Day of Books and Roses! 🌹📚

💞 "𝗔 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿." 📖

To celebrate, we're offering a bonus 15% on books traded into us today! See our site for details about our used program. Plus, every trader-inner (scientific term) will receive an origami roses - until they're gone! And we've got a ton.

Our post from earlier this month goes a little bit into the background about this Catalan
holiday, its antifascist roots, and the reason more people should know about this holiday.

Image description: In the foreground, a black box full of multicolored folded paper roses. In the background, the front windows of Always Here Bookstore

Always Here Bookstore

05/21/2026

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Wednesday	12pm - 6pm
Thursday	12pm - 6pm
Friday	11am - 7pm
Saturday	11am - 7pm
Sunday	12pm - 6pm