Reading Frenzy

I recently discovered Reading Frenzy and had so much fun browsing. It’s great to have a selection of books that are different from mainstream bookstores and supports local talent. Will definitely be back!

Smallish zine/​alternative comics/​book shop. Has some of the old and some of the new in alternative literature. The guy behind the counter didn’t have an answer for my particular question, but was helpful and friendly enough anyway.

This is regarding my online shopping experience with this company. So I placed a kinda last minute Christmas order. Come to find out PayPal populated an old mailing address of mine and I couldn’t fix it. I frantically sent three emails letting them know to please send it to my correct address. I called and was able to speak to a nice person who assured me they would send my package to the correct address. I also received an email from another representative stating the same. My package arrived at the correct address with plenty of time before Christmas. That’s wonderful customer service! Thanks guys!

Reading Frenzy holds a special place in my heart. I used to go to their old location by Powell’s all the time when I was a teenager, and it fueled my early interest in and passion for zine culture. Their current location was opened with help from a Kickstarter campaign last year, and they seem to be doing well in this new space.
Lots of cutesy paper gifts here, as well as artful comics and new releases from indie publishers, and a fairly wide selection of zines (with a lean on the artsy/​DIY side; not really where I’d think to go for more radical/​anarcho materials).
Great for picking up a Portland-​centric print, card, tote bag, or button, and while you’re at it, they do zine consignment in-​store seven days a week. I came today to drop off some of my zines, and the woman that took a look at them bought them outright, which was awesome! They paid me on the spot, and were really nice and great to do business with.
If you’re looking for a place that idolizes print culture and shows it off with twee flair, check out RF!

I’ve been here once in person, and my experience here was very pleasant. It’s a cute little shop with a different vibe for readers.
My problem is with their online system. I ordered something from their online shop and didn’t receive any confirmation email from them. I sent two emails inquiring about how long it would take with no reply. Ten days after I ordered it, I finally got a notification from PayPal that they had created the shipping label. I understand that they’re a small store, but I didn’t think it would take ten days to start shipping one poster, especially without any information about how their shipping works on their website.

As a magazine/​zine nerd, this place is my dream.
Ran inside recently after seeing an issue of Wrap in the window. I love the local art at cheap prices, local zine section, and sale section with discounted older publications. I do wish they carried more independent magazines like Wrap, but I’ll definitely be back.

I popped in here after having heard the owner, Chloe, present at Lit Hop a few weeks ago. I’m really impressed with what I found. Literary magazines, gorgeous locally made stationary, posters, and loads of zines and other small press prints.
They also have a gallery space in the back, and often host gallery openings and readings — the next of which I definitely will come back for.
I had such a great afternoon here and I was sooo tempted to go home with one the vintage McSweeney’s that were on display in the back. Chloe was kind enough to bring some down for me just so I could admire them. There’s something so loving and important about old books. Some of the issues are quite valuable — the ones she had to bring out were $ 100+, truly hard-​to-​find copies, things a bigger, richer nerd would have snapped up. But it’s fine if you’re not packing loads of cash or looking for a unique vintage book, because Reading Frenzy stocks dozens of local zines, chapbooks, poetry collections, and comics. I found something a little more in my price range in the «used» area — in fact, another copy of McSweeney’s (a much less expensive copy!) and I took that home instead.
If you’re a book lover, an artist, or a literary citizen of Portland, I really hope you stop by here and check it out if you haven’t already. It’s a little hidden gem that shines on Mississippi and should not be missed.

Why doesn’t Portlanda parody Reading Frenzy? It’s because Reading Frenzy is what is truly the best about Portland. It is one of the heart centers of the Portland creative community. They have repeatedly refused to compromise their vision. In fact, I suggested they create a liaison with Portland’s largest and most profitable creative entity and they refused, it did not feel right. They have supported artists over years and, and, in turn, been supported by artists.
Walk in the door and you will find an ever changing collection of books, zines, cards and art.
So no the world is not all electronic all of the time. There is reading material still printed, and music still made by analog instruments.
The selection includes Japanese design books and cards, graphic novels, ‘zines, inexpensive artist prints. Children’s books. The store is a great visual inspiration resource for working creatives in design. You can also find the long running Craphound, a compilation of printed clip art, a magazine dedicated to girl skate boarding: She Shreds, and one to girl drummers: Tom Tom. Of course, the entire Wildwood series by Carson Ellis and Colin Maloy. They have a few tshirts and Craphound canvas grocery bags.
Great in-​store events draw the Portland creative crowd, that’s analog too.
All of the in-​store fixtures, they were made by a small local firm as well.
Reading Frenzy is a classic Portland small business with a fresh, everchanging, and thoughtfully curated selection of printed material. Great for gift shopping for the creatives of all ages!

It is a small book store, however, what they have in the store is good quality stuff that you would want to adopt and take home. I spent a lot of time in here. Decent prices and friendly staff. Glad to know that people still like holding a book.

Unquestionably my favorite bookstore in Portland, Oregon, the West Coast, and likely the planet.
The selection is smaller than at behemoth Powell’s on the other side of the river, but the pricing and depth of knowledge that you’d find among the staff is truly and wondrously impressive.
Run by the woman who also founded the IPRC, this is a strongly positive place to visit and shop.
Excellent sidelines and they may actually ship. Every time I’ve been in the City-​That-​Can-​Do-​No-​Wrong, I’ve spent considerable coinage there and am happy to do so.