Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing,
now you are uncurled and cover our eyes
with the edge of winter sky
leaning over us in icy stars.
Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing,
come with your seasons, your fullness, your end.

— Winter Solstice Chant by Annie Finch

The cold-weather holidays are upon us, and with them comes the reminder of how many beautiful winter poems have been written. From Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, written by Robert Frost in 1922, to Winter Trees by William Carlos Williams and [little tree] by e.e. cummings (to name only a few), these pieces remind us of the beauty of the season. If thoughts of making snow angels and coming celebrations aren’t enough to make you feel cozy by the fire, you can always reach for a good book.

One place to reach for that book is the new Literary Arts bookstore at 716 S.E. Grand Ave. Portland’s hub for literature and education for 40 years has moved from its downtown storefront to the Central Eastside Industrial District, just in time for the holidays. The grand opening of the new Susan Hammer Center, named for a former Literary Arts board member and financial donor, will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

With a selection of 12,000 books in a wide range of genres, the bookstore will support Literary Arts programs, as well as host author readings.

“Creating an inclusive and welcoming center for our community, where people can gather to tell and hear stories and exchange ideas freely, has long been our dream,” said Andrew Proctor, Literary Arts executive director, in a press release. 

Hammer’s $3 million gift allowed the organization to purchase its new headquarters, originally the Strowbridge Hardware building, built in 1904. After buying the building at in 2022, Literary Arts joined with Bora Architects, O’Neill Construction Group, and Edlen & Co. to convert the space. The four-story building includes classrooms, staff offices, and a recording studio for the radio show and podcast The Archive Project, according to a recent Literary Arts press release. A café offering coffee, beer, and food is scheduled to open at a later date.

WEEK 1: DEC. 1-7

Author Appearance: Julie Beeler in Conversation With Stephanie Parrish
Presented by Powell’s Books
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
Powell’s City of Books
1005 W. Burnside St., Portland
Free

Artist and educator Julie Beeler will discuss her book, The Mushroom Color Atlas, a combination of foraging guide and chromatic color book. Beeler explains how mushrooms may be more closely related to humans than to plants and chronicles their many uses, from dyes to recipe ingredients. In addition to “down-to-earth advice on artistic experimentation,” Beeler will offer stories about the historical and personal connections between humans and nature. She will be joined by Stephanie Parrish from the Portland Art Museum.

Central Oregon Writers Guild 2024 Anthology Launch
Presented by the Central Oregon Writers Guild
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
Roundabout Books & Cafe
900 N.W. Mt. Washington Drive, Suite 110, Bend
$5 admission or book purchase

The nonprofit Central Oregon Writers Guild presents the third issue of its anthology, the 2024 Literary Collection. A celebratory party will mark the release of this year’s collection featuring fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

WEEK 2: DEC. 8-14

55th Annual Celebration of Oregon Authors
Presented by The Oregon Historical Society
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Oregon Historical Society
1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland
Free

The Oregon Historical Society’s 55th Annual Celebration of Oregon Authors offers more than 50 voices to kick off the holiday season. Chat with local authors and finish your Christmas shopping early while sipping hot chocolate and enjoying music from The Dickens Carolers. Participating authors include Leslie Barnard Booth, Judith Barrington, Richard Etulain, Bill Maier, Phillip Margolin, Rebecca Rook, David D. Scheer, and many other Northwest favorites.

The Moth Mainstage in Portland
Presented by Literary Arts
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland
$25-$90

The Moth Mainstage returns, featuring a musical act and storytellers sharing true personal tales. Performances will be recorded live for future episodes of The Moth Podcast and Moth Radio Hour. The event is recommended for ages 13 and older, as stories may contain mature themes.

Author Reading: Paul Fattig
Presented by Jackson County Library Services
1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Applegate Library
18485 N. Applegate Road, Grants Pass
Free

Fattig, a self-described “recovering journalist turned author” and writer of Up Sterling Creek Without a Paddle and Madstone, will read his work and discuss his upbringing in rural Kerby during the 1960s. He will explain how his childhood was similar to that of those who grew up in Applegate Valley hamlets during the same period and the way his youth influenced how he writes and navigates the world today.

WEEK 3: DEC. 15-21

Season’s Readings
Presented by Cygnet Salon
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16
Artists Repertory Theatre
1515 S.W. Morrison St., Portland
$18

Cygnet Salon, creator of the Cygnet Radio Hour, presents a light take on holiday reading with Season’s Readings, a comedic and touching holiday-themed theater and literary arts mashup of stories and songs. Louanne Moldovan, actress and founder and artistic director of Cygnet Productions, directs cast members Don Alder, Nancy Benner, David Meyers, John Morrison, Vana O’Brien, and Wendy Westerwelle.

WEEK 4: DEC. 22-31

Read to the Dogs
Presented by Multnomah County Library
4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27
Woodstock Library
6008 S.E. 49th Ave., Portland
Free

Help your children fall in love with reading and community service through the Multnomah County Library’s “Read to the Dogs” program. Kids and teens will improve their reading skills and make new friends as they read aloud to a therapy dog, accompanied by handlers from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Dove Lewis Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams, and Pet Partners. All reading levels are welcome; call 503-988-5123 to register.