Literary Arts is thrilled to open our new bookstore at 716 SE Grand Ave., an adventure that wouldn’t be possible without our incredible bookstore team: Dustin Kurtz, Sarah Reif, and Alex Abraham! Read on to learn more about our expert booksellers, including Q&A’s with Sarah and Alex!
Dustin Kurtz (he/him), Bookstore Manager & Lead Buyer
Dustin Kurtz is a bookseller and enthusiast based in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in Michigan, has spent time working in publishing and bookselling in New York City and Grand Cayman, and will not give away the secret if you let him in on your favorite mushroom picking spot. You can find him at the dog park, on a trail, or in a bookstore talking with an embarrassing intensity about books. Thanks for humoring him!
Sarah Reif (she/her), Assistant Bookstore Manager
Portland raised though not born, is the Assistant Manager of the new Literary Arts Bookstore. She cut her teeth in the bookselling world in Washington, DC (where she used to brag that she went to the same school as Ramona Quimby!) and has since spent time working in books and marketing back here in the Pacific Northwest. Outside the bookstore you can find her yapping about: cool bird facts, video games, pop culture, neat hikes, how to best organize your bookmarks folder, and her favorite coffee shops.
Q&A with Sarah
What’s your ideal atmosphere for reading?
I do my best reading with a change of setting (too distracted in my own house) – so I’d say the ideal atmosphere is a table outside a coffee shop, warm drink and a sweet treat in front of me. I’m particularly fond of the covered tables outside of Albina Coffee near Mt. Tabor for excellent reading vibes on a drizzly morning.
Have any book covers especially caught your eye as you’ve stocked the new store?
Readers and publishers take note: I’m a not-so-secret lover of judging books by their covers. I have also had the pleasure of unpacking a lot of our initial stock and, in no particular order, here are some of the gorgeous covers that I’ve loved seeing come out of the initial boxes:
- Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner
- A Natural History of Empty Lots by Christopher Brown
- Ghostroots by Pemi Aguda
- Any Person is the Only Self by Elisa Gabbert
What’s one question or comment you’re always excited to hear from a customer?
Something like: “It’s embarrassing, but I love these books,” because then I can intercept that thought. Folks, it’s not embarrassing. you don’t have to apologize for enjoying what you love to read.
Alex Abraham (they/them), Full Time Bookseller
As your friendly neighborhood bookseller, Alex spends most of their time ordering, shelving, talking about, thinking about, and occasionally even reading books. They’re also a writer with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and they love to tell stories about messy, magical kids.
Q&A with Alex
What’s your favorite part about being a bookseller?
I got my first job at an indie bookstore when I was still in high school — if you had asked me back then, I would have readily said my favorite part about being a bookseller was the books, of course! But going on a decade later, I have to say my favorite part of being a bookseller is the people. Independent, local bookstores are hubs for their communities. The books we carry reflect the thoughts and values of our neighborhood and facilitate a larger community-wide conversation about what is going on both locally and globally. It’s genuinely an honor and a privilege to be a part of that conversation.
What excites you about working at Literary Arts?
As a writer myself, I’ve been a huge fan of Literary Arts and the work they do here in Portland for years. When I heard they were opening a bookstore, I quite literally ran to apply. It’s been so rewarding to see the space come together these last few weeks, and I can’t wait to it full of readers and writers at work!
What’s your ideal atmosphere for reading?
Thunderstorm, fireplace, hot bevy, and a dog to snuggle.
The Literary Arts bookstore is open daily from 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Come stop in and say hi to Dustin, Sarah, and Alex, who will be happy to help you find your next favorite book!
