Bookstores

Let’s face it. One of the best things about taking a vacation is to be able to relax, grab a little peace and quiet and catch up on some books and reading that have been neglected of late.

Certainly Cannon Beach has some wonderful bookstores and local literature for the readers amongst us.

Bookstores in Cannon Beach that you certainly want to know about are The Cannon Beach Library, Jupiter’s Used and Rare Books (our favorite), and for a good choice of classic literature and discriminating style – the Cannon Beach bookstore itself!

Bella Espresso’s two wonderful and informative books about the area – “Cannon Beach: The Art, Cuisine, History, and Atmosphere of Oregon’s Favorite Coastal Village” and At the Water’s Edge: The Magic of Astoria, Seaside and Cannon Beach

The latter book of the two above has the best art, cuisine, history and atmosphere of these three unique communities located on the north Oregon coast. The book features the following from each location: The work of local artists & photographers, recipes & photography from a favorite local restaurant, a written and photographic history, and unique and interesting stories collected and told by the authors – Adam Carlsen & Donald Masterson.

If you’d like to read some fiction about the beach then clicking on the Amazon bookstore link above will find you The Princess of Cannon Beach. This book tells the story of a dynasty destroyed by revolution and the courage of one young woman in the aftermath of tragedy. Follow her transformational journey from the royal palaces of St. Petersburg and across the Sea to a new life in Astoria and Cannon Beach, Oregon. Kathryn James creates a charming “what if” story that weaves fact with fiction around local historical reference points, and gives us the tale of a princess who was and a woman who might have been.

For the gastronomes and bon-vivants amongst us a search in Amazon’s bookstore for A Taste of Cannon Beach finds recipes from and vignettes of about 20 of Cannon Beach’s excellent restaurants. Beautifully designed and illustrated, with images of the restaurants included. Not technically a bookstore this book is magnificently put together and authored by the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum. Also well worth a visit on your trip to the beach!

Deserving of a second mention is the Cannon Beach Library. The Library is a private non-profit organization operated by volunteers and supported by fund-raising events, on-going book sales, donations and bequests. The Library had its beginnings in 1927 when eight women borrowed books from the State Library for circulation from 3 shelves in the local variety store. This library is clean, neat and wonderfully laid out. They have also chosen to give a great focus on children.

Most libraries have “Friends of the Libraries” volunteer organizations that help fund raise for books and improvements, and needs that the libraries have, that tax payer funds just don’t cover. The Cannon Beach Library is no exception. They have little room full of books, old and new for sale for just pennies on the dollar compared to your local bookstore. They have books that are donated often from release dates within just months of your visits. You can’t beat the prices and the money is put to good use at the library.

For more information on books, reading, literature & Cannon Beach bookstores, please visit the beach’s best information source for shopping here.