Read Beyond Reed: Up Up Books
Up Up Books is a small independent bookstore just a 10-minute drive from Reed, and its owner Michelle Gutman was recently interviewed by the Quest on the unique project of the bookstore. According to Gutman, Up Up Books was founded almost “exactly a year ago.” “I think we did a soft opening March 3,” of 2023. Gutman said she founded the store because “I've always loved books. Years ago, I wrote a book, and I wrote short stories and had them published. And then I kind of lost interest in doing that. And I started during the pandemic, I started doing a lot of volunteer work at shelters. And in doing that, I ended up getting certified in domestic violence and a lot of different certifications, which I loved. So I thought–so I have a workshop space in the back. So I thought, what if I could combine an area that's free to the community to hold workshops that they want, and then also have books kind of like an apothecary would that like, pertain to like ailments or issues that people would have coming in the store. So, it's kind of my twist on that.”
Since its opening Up Up Books has been “slowly evolving,” Gutman says, “because I've left room to kind of let the neighborhood decide what kind of bookstore it would be. For instance, I love poetry. I didn't know that there'd be such an appetite for poetry, which is fantastic. So that section has grown. And we also host a lot of poets here.” Multiple Reed faculty members have read at the store, with Gutman remembering Professor
Joan Kane “right before she started teaching [at Reed]. She [was] with a bunch of poets. And then we recently had Brittney Corrigan and this is fantastic.” Both writers’ work is for sale at the store in the prominently displayed poetry section. Readings are one type of event that is hosted at the store, and additionally Gutman says, “we have a lot of book launches. We also are a partner with Street Books, which is a mobile library for people [who've been on the] outside.” “So we have an event coming up in April, we do fundraisers for them. Yeah, so kind of like some all having to do with books, some on the political, some on the fiction, and lots of poetry,” Gutman said.
The physical space of the bookstore is very welcoming and was featured in an article by Luxe: Interiors+Design which said “Owner Michelle Gutman worked with Dyer Studio to craft the bold, bright shop, which uplifts through its design as much as the book titles contained within. ‘Michelle envisioned an inspiring space that was playful and inviting,’ says Stephanie Dyer, the project’s lead designer. ‘She wanted a gathering place that encouraged prolonged stays, thoughtful discussions, and, of course, reading.’ Dyer and her team used color to soften the raw, industrial environment, namely a vibrant blue framing the central lounge area that was inspired by the Bauhaus movement.” About the accordion book art chandeliers that hang in the center of the space, Gutman said to the Quest that she “wanted it to be comfortable. Like I didn't want people to feel uncomfortable walking in the space. And yeah, I think those ended up working really well. We got those off of Etsy. They were already kind of folded. Oh, yeah. And we made it into the sculpture.”
Both new and used books are for sale, with used books marked by a pink circular sticker on their spines. Part of the reason for this is that Gutman wanted there to be something for everyone, with prices ranging between $5-$30. Books from Oregon writers are also labeled with gold circular stickers on their spines. Gutman said of being in this area, “I feel like especially being a bookstore and living in Portland, [I’m] so fortunate because there's so many fantastic writers and presses, and I've had nothing but just support even from small bookstores.” She also mentioned that she has “a lot of books by local Portland presses. They've all been so incredibly supportive, and gracious. And yeah, it's been lovely.” One of the titles on sale was Margaret and the Mystery of the Missing Body by Megan Milks, who was featured in Reed’s Visiting Writers Series on February 29.
The bookstore is located in the “Buckman neighborhood. Centrally located just a block away from historic Revolution Hall, our shop celebrates the diverse community of Portland’s East Side, with a special interest in small press publishers, social concerns, & the stories less told,” according to Up Up Books’ website. Just a few blocks from Hawthorne Asylum, the bookstore also has ample street parking around and a park across the street. Per the store’s website, their hours are “Thursday – Sunday: 11am - 5pm” and there is the ability to order online, as well as request the space to use for workshops and other community gatherings. To find out more about specific events check out the bookstore’s Instagram @upupbookspdx.