J. Michaels Books

J. Michaels Books is Eugene's answer to the great used bookstores of the world, a two-floor emporium in the heart of downtown that houses one of the most impressive used book collections in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1985, the store has benefited from the intellectual output of the University of Oregon, with academic sections in every discipline that are constantly refreshed by the revolving door of faculty and students. The music and counterculture collection is outstanding, reflecting Eugene's deep roots in the 1960s and 1970s cultural revolution, with titles on rock history, psychedelia, and the social movements that shaped the city's identity. The philosophy section draws serious readers from across the Willamette Valley, and the history shelves span civilizations with used-bookstore comprehensiveness. The rare books room on the upper floor occasionally yields remarkable finds, from first editions of Beat poetry to vintage Oregon maps. The store's layout invites exploration, with distinct rooms and alcoves that create the feeling of moving through a literary landscape. For used-book devotees, J. Michaels is a place of pilgrimage, and for casual browsers, it is an invitation to discover the pleasures of secondhand reading.