Upcoming Events
Our regular events include:
Native Plants Meet-Up, third Saturday of each month from 3-4pm
Zine & Collage Night, fourth Thursday of each month from 6-8pm (some exceptions)
Kids Story & Play Time, last Saturday of each month from 11am-12pm
To have a regular event added to your calendar, email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com and let us know you’re interested in coming!
See details and register for events by clicking individual events on the calendar or scrolling down and selecting the event that interests you.
Becoming an Elder Workshop with Gregory Guss
This class looks to harness the collective group wisdom to change the cultural-narrative about being an Elder. Everyone ages, but only a few see & call themselves an Elder. The youth and the Elders have an unique connection. These topics will be discussed, allowing “olders” to potentially become Elders. A vastly needed resource rooted in meaning. All are welcome!
Monthly Men's Talk Circle with Gregory Guss
Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Monthly Zine & Collage Night
Free to attend! Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Bring your zine or collage project to work on! This is a casual hangout with snacks and drinks provided. We’ll have plenty of materials if you want to start a new project. No experience required.
August Artisan Bakery Sourdough Pop-Up
Delicious baked goods, including bread, scones, cookies, and seasonal goodies! 12pm until sold out and they always do! :)
All We Can Save Climate Justice Circle
This FREE Circle offers a chance to engage in a slow read of the All We Can Save anthology + meaningful discussion with a small group of climate-conscious folks seeking to combine hope, knowledge, and action. We will meet for 10 sessions on Monday evenings starting April 6 from 5:30-7:30PM at Second Shapes Bookstore in Kenton (8124 N. Denver Ave).
REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/AWCSCIRCLE
The group will be capped at 12 people to ensure enough space for every member's voice. Please RSVP using this form to reserve your spot. All folks will receive an email confirmation after submitting the form.
Hosted by Alexandra Schaffer (she/they), local writer, book & nature lover, and content creator. Peek inside their brain at @aschaffer_creative.
PLEASE NOTE:
Registration is FREE, but all participants will need to have a copy of All We Can Save before the first Circle on April 6. If you do not have a copy, please order via Second Shapes on Bookshop.org, borrow from the library, or support a local Portland-area bookstore with your purchase. If you need financial support to purchase a copy, please let Alexandra know in the optional short answer question at the end of the form.
Bookbinding 101: Paperback-to-Hardcover Conversion with Neil Cochrane
Bookbinding 101: Paperback-to-Hardcover Conversion
Taught by Neil Cochrane
Create your own special editions of your favorite books! Students will learn how to measure a text block, create a hardcover case, and “case in” the text block to turn a paperback book into a beautiful hardcover!
Students should bring a paperback book no larger than 6” wide and 9” tall. All other materials and tools will be provided.
$80/person
Minimum 3, maximum of 6
The Elder's Role Workshop with Gregory Guss (Weekly on Wednesday from 3-5pm)
Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Pom Pom Workshop with Molly Kovaka
Come create a “low stress ball” in community with your neighbors. No special skill required. Bring your own sharp scissors if you have them!
Hosted by Kenton local, mixed media artist, book maker & improvisational fiber artist Molly Kovaka @mokovax_artist. $15 material fee. Please reach out if fee is a barrier to participation!
Monthly Native Plants Group Meet-Up
Free event! Please register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Monthly Zine & Collage Night
Free to attend! Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Bring your zine or collage project to work on! This is a casual hangout with snacks and drinks provided. We’ll have plenty of materials if you want to start a new project. No experience required.
Blind Date with a Book + Silent Reading Hours
Calling all literary single hotties! Alone this Valentine’s Day? No you’re not! Come pick out a $15 blind date with a book and join us for Silent Reading Hours from 12-6pm (or take your book home or on a date!). Each book comes with a mini dried floral bouquet from Backyard Bannan. All books lovingly picked out with Sierra from North Portland Queer Book Club.
[CANCELLED] Valentine Craft Night with Carrot Flower Creative
This event is cancelled for illness! Stay tuned for the next crafting night with Carrot Flower Creative.
Charm Party with Tiny Deer Studio
Join Tiny Deer Studio or a fun little charm party on Friday, February 6th from 6pm to 8pm!
Jessica will provide a ton of acrylic charms that she designed and cut in her Portland studio, along with various jewelry findings and tools, to allow you to make your own:
Hook Earrings
Stud Earrings
Bag Charms/Keychains
Necklaces
Zipper Pulls
Suncatchers (larger charms!)
With Jessica’s guidance, you can make whatever you want during this 2-hour gathering! Most folks make at least one bag charm and one pair of earrings, but this varies based on how complex you choose to make your goodies. You can even take some charms home to play with in the end!
Light snacks and fizzy drinks will be provided.
Kids Story & Play Time with Madeline
Join us for a cozy story time with cocoa for kids and coffee for parents. We’ll be reading The Old Sleigh and then have free play time with magnatiles, blocks, and animal figures.
RSVP by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Monthly Native Plants Group
Join our monthly native plants group for a discussion on natives & non-natives, usually with plant swapping or identification! This is a casual group and open to all community members. FREE!
Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
[CANCELLED FOR JANUARY] Monthly Zine & Collage Night
CANCELLED FOR JANUARY! Danielle is sick and can’t host. Feel free to drop by the shop from 4-6pm if you’d still like to make things in the community room. Bookstore Helper Extraordinaire Sarah will be there running the shop!
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A free monthly meet-up! No experience required. This is a friendly crew of 10-15 folks all working on their zines, collages, comics, or other art / hand crafts. Light snacks and drinks are usually provided! Feel free to bring whatever you need to be cozy.
Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Second Threshold Crone Cafe
Learn more here: https://www.greenflamecommunity.com/circles
This month, the group will gather to explore winter's wisdom: rage as catalyst and rest as transformation. Through reflection and conversation, we'll alchemize anger into clarity, boundaries, and reclaimed power. What looks dormant is changing at the root. Bring it all.
August Artisan Bakery Sourdough Pop-Up
Everyone's favorite baker August and their lovely partner Riley will be back for their monthly bakery pop-up! Cookies, scones, muffins, bread...each item is lovingly made and so, so tasty. Menu posted soon HERE.
Kids Story & Play Time with Madeline
Join us for stories and fun with children's book expert, Madeline! Best for ages 3-6 but open to all. We are a very flexible bunch, with lots of space and support for movement, noise, and getting wiggles out. Every child who attends gets to pick out a free children's book this month! Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Native Plants Group Meet-Up + Seed Swap!
This month's plants are oaxlis and sedges and folks are encouraged to bring seeds to swap so you can kickstart your 2026 garden planning. Hosted by your neighbors and free and open to all. Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Monthly Zine & Collage Night
Get a jump start on your 2026 vision board, finish that zine you've been meaning to make, or bring your holiday crafts to finish up...we're not picky! Light snacks and drinks provided. Free and open to all skill levels. Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Denver Ave Sip & Shop!
Shop small on Denver Ave this holiday season! All your favorite small businesses will be participating in an after-hours sip & shop. Second Shapes Bookstore will have N/A and family friendly sipping options!
Ornament-Making Workshop with Carrot Flower Creative
Join us for an all-ages, all-skill levels creative workshop with Sandra from Carrot Flower Creative! She'll have Sculpey and all kinds of fun materials for you to get crafty with in community. $15-$35 sliding scale / free for community members of Pacific Refugee Support Group.
Hey Neighbor! Holiday Market at Second Shapes Bookstore
Get all your holiday shopping done in one place with 10+ local artists from Kenton, Arbor Lodge, and St. John’s!
The first annual Hey Neighbor! Holiday Market will be Saturday, 12/6 and Sunday 12/7 from 12-6pm both days.
North Portland Queer Book Club
This month's read is A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers. Finishing the book is not necessary to attending, just a love for queer writing and good company. Learn more about North Portland Queer Book Club HERE.