Verse

‘Dear Ghost,’ a Poem by Jennifer Perrine

The first entry in Portland Monthly’s new poetry series, from the Portland poet’s recent collection Beautiful Outlaw, winner of the Oregon Book Award.

09/17/2026 By Jennifer Perrine

Enchanted Forest

Wildwood Really Is Laika’s Most Ambitious Project Yet

The epic, Portland-set stop-motion adventure hits theaters October 23.

09/15/2026 By Conner Reed

Drawn Together

Comics and Community at Helioscope Studio

As with many Pacific Northwest endeavors, the creative coworking setup began in a café.

09/08/2026 By Ben Coleman Photography by Michael Raines

Under the Hood

Peddlers of Hate Tracks the Rise of the KKK in Oregon

Local journalist Steve Law’s gripping account shows how they seized power—and why they lost it.

08/24/2026 By Chris Lydgate

Eat the Roses

How Bitter Radicchio Became Portland’s 21st-Century Sweetheart

A new book by Lane Selman and Margarett Waterbury tells how the vegetable became a poster child for our local food culture at its best.

07/30/2026 By Lola Milholland

Landmarks

Ursula K. Le Guin House Added to National Register of Historic Places

The legendary writer spent most of her adult life on NW Thurman.

07/24/2026 By Margaret Seiler

seeing things

The Best Shows and Events in Portland This Week, May 2026

The concerts, readings, plays, art exhibits, movies, stand-up sets, drag performances, and block parties we’re catching around town.

05/05/2026 By Matthew Trueherz, Rebecca Jacobson, and Margaret Seiler

Seeing Things

A Gilded Lounge Singer’s Many Day Jobs

Plus: Phantom of the Opera, and other events in town this week.

04/30/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Bookshelf

Why Can’t a 5-Year-Old Write a Memoir?

Kevin Sampsell’s novel Baby in the Night is as sweetly hilarious and poignant as baby talk gets.

03/13/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

from the archive

The Wet: Brian Doyle’s Rain Journal

From 2007, the celebrated Oregon author’s “Waterlogged notes from rainy seasons present and past.”

03/10/2026 By Brian Doyle

seeing things

The Best Shows and Events in Portland This Week, February 2026

A word from Sister Corita Kent, a Spanish-language play, and a breakdancing benefit.

02/26/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

“America’s Game”

Chuck Klosterman’s Football Journeys into America’s Media-Addled Soul

The Portland author’s latest book unpacks football’s unique perch atop the flaming pyre of a dying monoculture.

02/06/2026 By Jordan Michelman

seeing things

An Exhibition Rehumanizing Portland’s Unhoused Population

Dance company Urban Bush Women, and other events in town.

02/05/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

seeing things

Things to Do in Portland This Week, January 2026

Author Sara Jaffe chases guitar noise at PICA, and other events in town.

01/29/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

gimme five

5 Oregon-Made Comics to Know

Northwest Museum of Cartoon Arts’ Michael Rosen shares his essential list of superheroes, war journalism, and redrawn American classics.

01/26/2026 By Alex Frane

Words with Friends

The Open Mic That Counts Amateurs and Award-Winning Authors as Regulars

One-Page Wednesdays, hosted by Portland novelist Emme Lund, feels like a public writers’ group.

01/22/2026 By Matthew Trueherz Illustrations by Stephan Dybus

seeing things

Mickalene Thomas’s Love Letter to Her Mother

4 Palestinian Poets, and other events in town this week.

01/08/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Movies

Kristen Stewart’s Chronology of Water Captures the Book’s Emotional Force

The Twilight star’s directorial debut stays true to Oregon author Lidia Yuknavitch’s intimate portrait of reclaimed agency.

12/15/2025 By Chase Hutchinson

seeing things

A Holiday Market of Glossies and Art Books

The Portland Art Book Fair, Little Women, and other events in town.

12/11/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Bookshelf

Portland Monthly’s Best Books of 2025

Our favorite fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, cartoons, and comics of the year by Oregon authors.

12/08/2025 By Matthew Trueherz