Wallace Books

Wallace books is so awesome!!! We came here to visit and shop for some comic books. The staff is SO kind and helpful and extremely patient & understanding (someone in our party has difficulty speaking). And, they seriously have EVERYTHING here! It’s amazing that they can pack SO many books and such variety into a relatively small building, and still have it so organized. I love Wallace Books!

Two people in this store were very helpful on the phone! They went the extra to find the answer to my questions.

This is a classic great used/​new bookstore. The staff is fab, the pricing is great — they even have a large selection of $ 1 books — like a Portland mini Strand bookstore. The first time I took one of my kids there and we reached the kids section — which is large and has a great range of books — he said this is like book heaven. Also, they are great about supporting the local schools and community — what are you waiting for?

Wonderdul bookstore full of many new and used options. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff who help find books and can order anything they don’t have on hand. Location is in an old Sellwood house so it is tight and cozy, and you need to sometimes go to a second layer to find books. However, organization is surprisingly good and the double layering of books gives twice the chance i will find a book. Because i love picking up cheap sci fi for trips, this is a lifesaver when going through a series. Also huge selection of kids books which is amazing for birthdays and showers. It’s my local go to when not willing to go downtown to Powell’s. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

Love this place for used books!
My family and I come here every now and again, and while it is a little scary thinking about what would happen if some of these book stacks were to fall, it’s fun to see just how many books they can fit in that one tiny little house!
They are organized in sections by genre, and have a kids room too for children’s/YA fiction. Bought a lot of good books from here and will always come back to this nice little, bright yellow house!

It is easy to lose track of time in this fantastic bookstore! Staff is great at recommendations and always finding the odd book I might be in search of. Even my 10 year old begs to go Wallace!

I truly loved this neighborhood spot. It may be a little scattered if you are rushed to find something in particular, but I found it so relaxing to quietly browse their selection for a while. I liked that the staff was friendly and hospitable but gave me space to wander. I didn’t feel rushed and I really enjoyed exploring the house.
I’m excited to come back and ask for my next book recommendation!

Great place to get lost in. The selection goes for miles it seems. It started with a free book from the outside selection to buying one from a local writer. I’m going back

Wallace Books is a truly wonderful place to browse around. Julie is kind and knowledgeable. The selection of books is plentiful and eclectic; every time I visit, I fall in love with some well-​worn tome I didn’t come in for. But since the prices are so great, I never fell bad about adding it to my stack.
My advice is this: If you are looking for something specific, ask right away. If not, lose yourself for a while in this bibliophile’s wonderland!

Wallace Books is a truly unique bookstore, and it’s probably best to go here without an exact title in mind. It’s hard to describe just how many books are packed in every available space in this converted house. Really worth checking out.

I think this store fits in very well for Sellwood. The other reviews didn’t prepare me for how the place was laid out. Really, the shelves go 2 deep with books, all throughout the house. The owner was jetting around helping all of the excited, chatty customers, and she really knows her books. For me, it was a bit too overwhelming and difficult to find a book. In the literature section, in particular, there are whole letters of the alphabet that are physically inaccessible, or at least it’s impossible to reach back to the second layer of books hiding under the surface. And some shelves had very little semblance of alphabetization. But there were some very interesting, uncommon books in every section I checked, all pretty reasonably priced. They tended to be mostly paperbacks — I’m more inclined to buy sturdy used hardcovers which have survived well after 60 – 70 years. The children’s section seems to be a huge draw, too. So, although I left empty handed, I can totally understand the appeal of the place, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to book lovers, and families, as long as they have the patience for some serious shelf browsing.

I am an unapologetic lover of books. When I visit a new city I always ask about the best used book store.
If someone was to ask me about the best used book store I would say Powell’s, then I’d pause and direct then here for a more charming, intimate experience.
Wallace books is a wonderful place where you can loose yourself for hours in every nook and cranny. Stop by, you wind be disappointed.

This little house is crammed with books, from floor to ceiling. You made need a little help navigating the place if you are new, but the woman who works here is very nice and more than willing to lend a hand. When I was browsing, I heard a few customers come in and make special orders. They didn’t have the book I was hoping to buy, but not surprisingly I found another great read! Really comfortable, cozy book store.

What is more magical and lovely than a quaint house full of new and used books from floor to ceiling? Maybe if they have cats! And last time, I saw one :) The only way this could get better is if a cute thirty something available man who loves cats as much or more (now I’m asking for the impossible) worked there KA-​CHING! Seriously folks, lots of great books for all tastes, at excellent prices. The staff is knowledgable, friendly, and helpful, and don’t try to rush you out or push you to buy a book. You say Sellwood is too far to go? True, but treat yourself to some books and hit up Oaks Bottom for totchos and a beer or Nectar for some frozen yogurt too.

Just a great place to go and get lost among the stacks. Yes, it’s a tight space and, thus, not laid out as well as one of the glossy chain stores, but that’s part of the charm. I often go there without anything particular in mind; sometimes I run across old favorites, a dreaded title I was forced to wade through in college (ah, the memories) or, more often than not, an undiscovered treasure. The kids section is plentiful, too. I’ve also sold books there on a number of occasions– they give a fair price for store credit. The staff is very knowledgeable and laid-​back — by laid-​back, I mean that I’ve never gotten the annoyed glare when I walk out empty-​handed after 45 minutes of browsing! When you hear the oft-​repeated phrase «Support your local bookstore», this is they type of place they’re referring to.

Very rustic cute book store

WHAT an AMAZing bookstore! Finally went there and am dying to get back with a lunch packed. This place is STUFFED but sorted and the owner is exTREMEly user friendly! Of all the bookstores and libraries I’ve ventured in, THIS is the crème de la crème. Looks small but the house just keeps opening up with floor to ceiling volumes. Didn’t have enough time to check out-​of-​circs or collectibles but will in a future trip. Decent prices, too, for a non-​chain store with overhead (meaning inexpensive to moderate). REALLY enjoyed the owner! Friendly, voluntarily helpful but not pushy or clingy, knowledgeable. Being smaller than Powell’s is an enormous plus in my book. Great coffee and restaurants around to supplement the event. I’ll go back!

Wallace is my favorite used book store in Portland. They have great prices and fantastic people working there. Julie the owner is a real nice person and very savvy.

Considering the time and money we spent at Powell’s, you’d think that we wouldn’t be attracted to any alternate book store, but you’d be wrong.
This one is very much worth the time.
It seems to be a house that’s been jammed full of new and used books, and there appears to be no nook or cranny that isn’t swamped with piles and shelves. Astounding!
I easily found four books after about 40 minutes in there. Had i spent a day, I’m sure I would have staggered out of there with dozens.
Worth a stop.

I am in trouble with a capital «T», I work very very close to Wallace books, as in only a few doors away from this magical little cottage of amazingness.
I am looking forward to many hours spent digging for buried book treasures.
My favorite part of Wallace books is the back area/​room filled with children’s books, crates sorted by author including a whole crate for Roald Dahl.