Always Here Bookstore

August's theme is Sports - Voting is live now and will close on June 22nd!
We’ll be meeting in person on August 19th, 6:30PM!! Masks required ♡

📚 August options:

Hot Girls with Balls by Benedict Nguyễn
The Sons of El Rey by Alex Espinoza
Chlorine by Jade Song
A Sharp Endless Need by Mac (Marisa) Crane

Image description: A graphic of our logo (with ‘Book Club’ instead of ‘Bookstore’), to the right of the logo is the text 'June’ & ‘Being Human?’. Below the logo/text are four oval frames with the book covers, at the bottom right is a text box with ’Voting closes 4/20 @ 11 AM'. The texts are all in coloring boxes with colors matching our logo. The background is a blurred picture of bookcases.

OMSI’s annual PRIDE at the Museum is this Friday and we have tickets to giveaway! This is a family friendly event with drag performances, science demos, and local vendors like us!

On a personal level, we LOVE going to OMSI Pride. This will be our third year as guest vendors – and for those keeping score, we've only been around since 2023! It's become one of the rare 'pop-up bookstore' events we do because we wouldn't miss it for anything. (Despite how much we loved our pop-up era, we don't crave the hard labor of hauling books around town), because OMSI Pride is one of those events that we leave with a little extra spring in our step.

We love meeting q***r families in all sizes and constellations, talking with folks we're in community with who are out celebrating Pride, taking pictures with drag performers working, and rubbing shoulders with the local organizations who help sustain our communities. It's truly just a joy.

And we'll never forget that one time when a group of friends instructed their token straight friend to read them a q***r picture book out loud for the group.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆! (We have 2 pairs of tix to give away!)

❤️‍🔥 Like this post
🌈 Tag a friend you wanna invite to OMSI Pride!

Winners will be notified via Instagram DM on Thursday by 5pm!

Image description: On a tan background, the logo for OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). Below that, the text "PRIDE AT THE MUSEUM!" In a bar, "Friday | June 12 | 6-9PM". Below that, "$10 Adult | $8 Youth" "Full museum access, live entertainment, planetarium shows, and more!" Below that, a curling rainbow with the text "Ticket Giveaway!" on it. Above that, doodles of tickets and rainbow-colored hearts.

3 years ago today, Always Here Bookstore was born.

We started with a website, a 20-year-old paint-splattered folding table and a $300 order (terrifyingly expensive, at the time) for books.

We're still standing here today thanks to all of you. And we're not going anywhere.

Take care of each other - we're all we've got! Happy pride. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🌹

Pictured: The original painting of our logo guy, created in 2019 and originally planned to be a placeholder.

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.

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.

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"

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

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"

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.

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.