Gimme Five

The 5 Ursula K. Le Guin Books You Need to Read, According to Her Son

While curating an exhibition of her life and work, Theo Downes-Le Guin shares his favorite books by Portland’s greatest author, a.k.a. his mom.

10/14/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

Tom Toro and Dracula Both Come to Town

Also: Louise Bourgeois and Isabelle Albuquerque at the Lumber Room.

10/09/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Interview

Portland’s New Yorker Cartoonist on the Important Kind of Jokes

In a new book, Tom Toro collects 15 years of work for the magazine. Here, he talks about the role of cartoons in the present.

10/08/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

bookshelf

The Ursula K. Le Guin Cat Book You’ve Been Waiting For

A new collection gathers the late author’s poetry, sketches, and correspondence about her beloved feline companions.

10/08/2025 By Alex Frane

things to do

A Posthumous Book from Geek Love Author Katherine Dunn

Also: Demetri Martin, and other events in town this week.

10/02/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

Cinema 21 Celebrates 100 Years

Also: Judy Collins, and other events in town this week.

09/25/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Bookshelf

A Novel of an Anarchist Nursing Home Run by 1970s Punks

Leni Zumas’s Wolf Bells is a spirited, hilarious, and tender study of intergenerational living.

09/15/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Long Story Short

A Tiny Travel Bookstore That Takes You Places

Tucked inside Cargo, Patrick Leonard’s Postcard Bookshop is an argument for armchair travel.

08/20/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Book Club

The Bike Library Connecting Portland’s Housed and Unhoused Residents

Street Books has made a lot of friends in its 15 years—and divined a uniquely effective form of mutual aid.

08/12/2025 By Jaydra Johnson Photography by Michael Novak

things to do

Jessica Pratt’s timeless songs at Rev Hall

Also: Street Books’ Pedalpalooza ride, and more.

07/31/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Bookshelf

Sex, Books, and New Age Spiritualism

Portland novelist and screenwriter Jon Raymond’s funky Ashland twist on a classic, God and Sex, pushes faith and reality to climax.

07/21/2025 By Matthew Trueherz Illustrations by Derek Abella

things to do

Love and Mushrooms at Literary Arts

Also: All About My Mother, and other things to do in Portland this week.

07/17/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

reading ahead

Book Launches and Author Events in Portland This Summer

A fresh crop of summer reads from Portlanders Jon Raymond, Leni Zumas, and more.

07/17/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

Painting with Bob Dylan and Your Best Friend

Also: a former public defender’s crime novel, and other things to do in Portland this week.

07/10/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

The First First Thursday of the Summer

Also: the Blues Fest, and other things to do in Portland this week.

07/03/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

Jonathan Richman Is Still Telling True Stories

Also: Wu-Tang Clan, and other things to do in Portland this week.

06/26/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

How Portland Celebrates Juneteenth

Also: Valerie June, and other things to do in Portland this week.

06/18/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

A Bird’s-Eye View of Ourselves in Mako Miyamoto’s Pictures

Also: 8 Seconds Rodeo, and other things to do in Portland this week.

06/12/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

things to do

Mother Foucault's Grand Reopening

Also: gays eat the rich, and other things to do in Portland this week.

06/05/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Interview

Melissa Febos on Her Year Without Sex

‘How do you forge and define a healthy, conscious relationship to something in a society that has a sick relationship to it?’

06/03/2025 By Matthew Trueherz