The Book Nook: Canby’s Cozy Corner

It’s the perfect season to curl up with a good book, and lucky for us, the best place to find your next favorite read is located right in downtown Canby! The Book Nook is more than just a bookstore — it’s a community hub with a positive impact that extends far beyond its brick-and-mortar walls. 

Confessed book nerd Megan Waterman had been selling vintage and antique books in a section of another store before a cross-country trip with her family gave her the indie bookstore bug. With unwavering encouragement from her husband, Paul, she snagged a spot in the Graham Building and opened The Book Nook in December 2017. They sold used books and accepted trade-ins for store credit. But that’s only the prologue of this beloved book shop’s story — in the last eight years, they’ve expanded to offer a wide selection of new books and games and literary gifts, many sourced from local artists and makers.

As it’s grown, The Book Nook has migrated around the downtown area, finally settling in the historic location of J.R. Vinyard General Merchandise (originally C. Wang & Co.) on NW 1st Ave in 2024. Within, the shelves are stocked with an endless sea of literary treasures you could easily spend all day perusing, with a curated selection of genres and subgenres to span every mood, style, and imagination. Megan and her team read across all genres and love making recommendations based on your reading history.

The cozy nook near the storefront, with its comfy yellow chair, is the children’s section, where you’ll find books for kids of every age and a variety of toys. The young adult section is also a popular spot, especially for kids who get hooked on a new series. “It’s great to see them so passionate about the story and getting excited for the next book,” Megan says. “We call it raising readers.” 

Since the beginning, the bookstore has been designed as a community space, and it’s become a gentle sanctuary for Canby and beyond, complete with sweet Bonnie, the friendly bookstore dog. The Book Nook organizes three book clubs each month, featuring general fiction, fantasy and mystery novels, and regularly hosts local authors for meet-and-greets and Q&A sessions. “Reading is mostly an introverted activity, and we want to build beyond that,” Megan explains. “This is a way for us to collectively talk about the power of the story and grow together.” 

New events are always in the works, like the cookbook book club, which will meet for the second time in February, and speed-puzzling tournaments, which they host periodically in partnership with B’s Bake Shoppe. Their annual tradition, “Blind Date with a Book,” will return as Valentine’s Day approaches — you’ll find secret selections on the shelf, mysteriously wrapped in brown paper with a teaser on the front. It’s a fun and unique way to experience a new read! 

When Megan and Paul first moved to Canby with their six children (who’ve all worked at The Book Nook at some point), they fell in love with the small town and have always been big supporters of other small business owners. And for their cherished clientele, The Book Nook is constantly adapting to fulfill the needs —and wildest literary dreams — of customers. “We listen to what our community wants, and lean into that,” Megan says.

The Book Nook is located at 200 NW 1st Ave in Canby. Please give them a call at (503) 266-2665 or visit their website at booknookcanby.com