What to do with used books in the Portland area (besides recycle them)

Every reader hits the same wall eventually: the shelves are full, there’s a stack on the nightstand and another on the floor, and recycling a box of perfectly good books feels wrong. If you’re around Milwaukie, Clackamas, or Southeast Portland, here are better options.

Trade them for store credit

This is the one we know best, because it’s what we do. Bring readable books to the counter, and paperbacks earn one credit each, hardcovers two, toward anything in the shop. It keeps books circulating in the neighborhood and keeps your next read cheap. A couple of things worth knowing: Credit expires every year on Dec 31, so make sure to use it. Credit is capped at $200, and you must spend it down below $200 before accumulating more. Full details are on the how-it-works page, and a plain-English walkthrough lives in our trade-in guide.

One quick note: we trade for store credit — we don’t buy books for cash.

Donate them

Local libraries often run “Friends of the Library’” book sales and accept gently used donations to raise funds. Schools, senior centers, shelters, and little free libraries around the metro are usually glad to take books in good condition too. Call ahead — most have guidelines about what they can use.

Rehome the special ones

For books with sentimental or collectible value, a thoughtful handoff beats a donation bin: pass them to a friend, gift a favorite to someone you think would love it, or list rarer titles online.

What not to do

Please don’t leave books out in the rain in a “free” box, and don’t recycle anything still readable. Water- or smoke-damaged, moldy, or badly marked books really are recycling material — but a clean, readable book almost always has a next owner.

If trading sounds like your move, here’s how to find us— 7931 SE King Rd, Ste 1, Milwaukie, open Monday through Saturday, 10am–5pm.