Upcoming Events
Our regular events include:
Native Plants Meet-Up, third Saturday of each month from 3-4pm
Zine & Collage Night, last Wednesday of each month from 6-8pm
Kids Story & Play Time with Madeline, 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!
Flower Arranging Workshop with Backyard Bannan
Join us for a flower arranging workshop with Eva from Backyard Bannan! Every participant will leave with a bouquet of locally grown flowers.
Sliding scale, $35-$55
Native Plants Meet-Up
Each month, the group chooses 2-3 plants to discuss the following month (like a book club). Discussion includes plant identification, habitat preferences, and sharing stories of growing or observing the focus plant.
Sat. 9/20: Mock orange & spirea (non-natives)
Monthly Zine & Collage Night
Free to attend! No experience or expertise necessary. Many supplies included. Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Processed Painting for Nervous System Reset with Emily Rose
When: Thursday, September 25 | 6–8 PM
Where: Second Shapes Bookstore, Portland, OR
Investment: Sliding scale $55–$88 (all supplies included)
We know how hard it can feel to be in a body in the world right now, and we want you to know: we’ve got you.
Come spend a couple of hours painting with Emily Rose, surrounded by community and care. We’ll have custom music and subliminals playing in the background + an intentional painting process to help your nervous system soften and settle.
Our goal here is to help you come back to your body, to your breath, and to that feeling of connection we all need right now. No painting experience needed. Just bring yourself exactly as you are.
Kids Story & Play Time with Madeline
Local kids story book expert Madeline will be sharing I Am We by local author Leslie Barnard Booth which focuses on themes of inter-dependence and resiliency. Free to attend! Best for ages 3-6, but you know your kid best.
50% OFF BOOKS FOR TEACHERS & STUDENTS
All of our used books will be 50% off for teachers and students (all ages). Stop in and grab books for your classroom, those early morning wake-ups, or long car rides home.
Teachers are also invited to send book wishlists to hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
Free All Ages Folk Music Show
Feat. Bentabia Beacon Bezalel, Billie Jane, and the Throw Spuds
Come help us warmly welcome our new community room with a beautiful, free, all ages folk music show!
3:30pm DOORS / 4:00-6:00pm MUSIC
August Artisan Bakery Sourdough Pop-Up
We’re stoked to host August Artisan Bakery for a sourdough pop-up on Sunday, August 31! Loaves, cookies, buns, and scones will be available 12pm until sold out.
Learn more here: https://www.instagram.com/augustsartisanbakery/
Comic Workshop #2 with Edie
Join instructor Edie for a comic workshop for kids & teens (ages approx. 8-16) on Sunday, August 24 and Sunday, August 31 from 10am-12pm! Come to one or both workshops. No prior drawing/comics skills needed. All supplies included. Workshops are $20-$40/each, sliding scale, no one turned away.
Sunday 8/31 from 10am-12pm
We’ll focus on drawing and panel composition and create plans for final products.
Kids Story & Play Time with Madeline
This month Madeline will be reading Hum & Swish by Matt Myers and then we’ll have some fun sand and water sensory play on the back patio! All ages welcome.
Email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com to RSVP
North Portland Queer Book Club
We’re honored to play host to the North Portland Queer Book Club! This month’s book is Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist. Find more information and connect with the organizers by visiting https://www.instagram.com/npqueerbookclub.
Zine & Collage Night
Join us the last Wednesday of each month from 6-8pm for zine & collage night! Bring your own supplies or use what we have (and there’s always a lot). Light snacks and drinks are also usually available. This is a casual hang out and everyone is so kind and supportive. Beginners very welcome.
Email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com to RSVP
Comic Workshop for Kids & Teens
Join instructor Edie for a comic workshop for kids & teens (ages approx. 8-16) on Sunday, August 24 and Sunday, August 31 from 10am-12pm! Come to one or both workshops. No prior drawing/comics skills needed. All supplies included. Workshops are $20-$40/each, sliding scale, no one turned away.
Workshop One: Comic Storytelling
Sunday 8/24 from 10am-12pm
We’ll focus on writing, putting together a mini zine, and talk about structure and panel transitions.
Workshop Two: Comic Design
Sunday 8/31 from 10am-12pm
We’ll focus on drawing and panel composition and create plans for final products.
KENTON STREET FAIR!
All ages, all fun! Join us for the annual Kenton Street Fair! We’ll have a tent in front of the bookstore with a $5 and under book cart, $1 book boxes, and so much more.
Featured artist Mahma Jaguar will be joining us with hand drawn prints and zines.
Native Plants Meet-Up
Native plant lovers unite! Join us the 3rd Thursday of every month from 3-4pm.
Shapes of Nature: Writing for Grieving Hearts Writing Workshop
Shapes of Nature offers a gentle space to explore your grief, with the support of nature’s complex and powerful shapes - spirals, fractals, waves, and beyond.
North Portland Queer Book Club
We love hosting our friends at North Portland Queer Book Club! This month's book is A Sweet String of Salt by Rose Sutherland. The audiobook is available for free on Spotify Premium and/or you can purchase from our shop on Bookshop.org. No RSVP necessary.
Monthly Zine & Collage Night
Join us on the last Wednesday of every month from 6:00-8:00pm for zine and collage night! Folks working on other projects like comics, crochet, etc are also welcome. :)
RSVP and have the event added to your calendar by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Kenton Wine Walk
We're so excited to participate for the first time in this annual event! We'll share the ticket link as soon as it's available. Save-the-date for now!
Kids Story & Play Time
Our lovely neighbor and children's book expert Madeline will be hosting this story time and will be sharing Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One with us. Please email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com to RSVP so we can make sure we have enough space and supplies.
Shapes of Nature: Writing for Grieving Hearts Monthly Workshop
Join friends of Second Shapes, Robin Lanehurst and Heather Dorfman, for generative writing, community building, and storytelling, centered around nature’s complex and powerful shapes - spirals, fractals, waves, and beyond. This workshop will meet monthly five times. Register here: bit.ly/shapesofnatureworkshop
Native Plants Group Meet-Up
This month's plants are Roemer's fescue and alumroot! All you need to do is show up (and bring plant samples if you can find them). Our lovely neighbor Sharon hosts this group and is an amazing resource for all things native plants. Please email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com to RSVP so we can make sure we have enough space and supplies.
BIG SIDEWALK SALE
50% off all nonfiction books, $5 and under book cart, $1 book cart, and lots of free stuff and giveaways! Jordan's oil paintings will be priced to sell, along with some special pieces from the woodshop. Our neighbors at WOO PDX and Kenton Antiques will also be having sales and deals. Come on down!
Kids Story & Play Time
Right before the sidewalk sale we’re gonna do story time! We'll be reading All Are Welcome and designing welcome posters for our neighborhood. All supplies included. Donations accepted for our friends at Innovation Law Lab!
Please email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com to RSVP so we can make sure we have enough space and supplies.
Kids Story & Play Time (resumes July 2025)
Join us every Saturday from 11:00am-12:00pm for a story and play time! Best for ages 3-6, but all ages are welcome and you know your kiddo best.
Email to RSVP and have the event added to your calendar: hello@secondshapesbookstore.com
North Portland Queer Book Club
RSVP, see this month’s book, and find more information: https://www.instagram.com/npqueerbookclub
We love hosting our friends at North Portland Book Club!
Shapes of Nature: Writing for Grieving Hearts Workshop
Register here: bit.ly/shapesofnatureworkshop
Join Robin Lanehurst and Heather Dorfman for generative writing, community building, and storytelling, centered around nature’s complex and powerful shapes - spirals, fractals, waves, and beyond.
Welcome to both advanced and novice writers - and everyone in between.
Shapes of Nature dates (all 7-9pm):
June 19
July 24
August 14
September 18
October 16
Kenton Writers Reading & Book Signing
Featuring Emma Pattee, Brian Benson, and Elizabeth Weinberg
Zine & Collage Night
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. Free to attend!
Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.
Healing Intergenerational Pain & Breaking the Cycle: A Four-Part Workshop and Book Club with Dr. Suzanne Manser
Every other week we will meet to discuss the book and have time to answer writing prompts. The themes for each session will be: Mother Wound, the Messages Our Parents Gave Us, Intergenerational Pain and Breaking the Cycle, and Creating Change
