There’s something magical about being surrounded by people who love books as much as you do. This past Saturday, I experienced that magic once again at the Portland Book Festival—my fifth year attending with my mom, a tradition I treasure more with each passing year.
Portland Book Festival: A Record-Breaking Year
This year’s Portland Book Festival was special for many reasons, but perhaps most notably because it sold out for the first time in the festival’s 21-year history. Walking through downtown Portland’s South Park Blocks, the energy was palpable. The crowds were noticeably larger, the excitement more electric, and the sense of community stronger than ever.
What a win for downtown Portland, for Literary Arts, and for the enduring power of books and reading in our lives! In an age of endless digital distractions, seeing thousands of people gather to celebrate stories, ideas, and the written word felt like a collective affirmation of what truly matters.
Highlights from the Festival
The programming was exceptional this year. My mom and I had the privilege of seeing Stacey Abrams, who was absolutely wonderful. She spoke about her latest thriller, “Coded Justice,” in conversation with OPB’s Dave Miller at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Abrams’ intelligence, warmth, and storytelling prowess reminded me why books have the power to both entertain and inspire action.
We also spent time exploring the book exhibit hall, where independent booksellers and publishers showcased incredible titles. I used my $5 coupon at the Multnomah County Library booth, snagging a copy of “Benjamin Franklin” by Walter Isaacson—a book I’m excited to dive into!
The VIDA Community Loves Books
One of the most heartwarming aspects of this year’s festival? Seeing more than 25 VIDA members throughout the day. Whether we bumped into each other at author talks, in line for coffee, or browsing the book fair, these encounters reinforced what makes VIDA special: we’re not just a coworking space, we’re a community of curious, engaged, lifelong learners.
This shared love of reading and ideas is exactly why we created a book theme for November’s The Happiest Hour member event VIDA.
Happiest Hour: The Book Report
Following the Portland Book Festival, we hosted “The Book Report” sessions at both VIDA locations—in Northeast Portland and Beaverton. These gatherings gave our community a chance to continue the conversations sparked at the festival, share book recommendations, and connect over our shared passion for reading.
There’s something intimate and joyful about discussing books with fellow readers. In our sessions, members shared what they discovered at the festival, recommended titles to add to our ever-growing reading lists, and explored why certain books resonate with us at different moments in our lives.
As Emily Cabrera, VIDA Portland Community Manager, reflected after the event: “A recurring theme in the Portland Book Report was the value of community recommendations for books. It is such a great way to explore genres outside your normal reads and it’s a fantastic way to learn more about the members at VIDA and what they find important and interesting.”
Emily captured exactly what makes these gatherings special. These conversations reminded me that reading isn’t just a solitary activity—it’s a bridge that connects us to other people, other perspectives, and other possibilities for our own lives.
Five Memoirs I’ve Loved This Year
As someone who believes deeply in the power of authentic storytelling, memoir has become one of my favorite genres. There’s something profound about women telling their own stories on their own terms. Here are five memoirs that have stayed with me in 2025:
1. “We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade” by Elyce Arons
This New York Times bestseller is a moving tribute to friendship, female entrepreneurship, and the building of an iconic brand. Arons chronicles her decades-long friendship and business partnership with Kate Spade, from their college days through the founding of a multi-billion-dollar fashion company. It’s both a celebration of their bond and an honest examination of the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the 1990s. I have long been a huge fan of the Kate Spade beand, and getting a sneak peek into the creation and evolution of the company was a treat, though made her untimely death even more confounding.
2. “Care and Feeding: A Memoir” by Laurie Woolever
An instant New York Times bestseller, Woolever’s memoir traces her journey through the food world while navigating addiction, cultural reckonings, and personal transformation. As a former assistant to Anthony Bourdain and someone who worked alongside major figures like Mario Batali, Woolever offers an unflinching look at the restaurant industry’s highs and lows. But what makes this memoir essential reading is her candid exploration of recovery and finding what truly sustains us—both literally and metaphorically.
3. “Men Have Called Her Crazy: A Memoir” by Anna Marie Tendler
A raw, powerful memoir that examines mental health, hospitality, and the insidious ways gender impacts our lives. Tendler recounts checking herself into a psychiatric hospital in early 2021 following a year of severe anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Through therapy sessions, hospital experiences, and reflections on pivotal relationships with men, she offers readers an honest portrait of healing and the journey toward self-understanding. It’s a modern exploration of the pressures women face and the courage it takes to prioritize our own wellbeing.
4. “All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert returns to memoir with her most vulnerable work yet. This Oprah’s Book Club pick chronicles her relationship with Rayya Elias—from deep friendship to passionate love to the devastating reality of loving someone battling addiction. Published more than seven years after Rayya’s death from cancer, the book explores Gilbert’s own struggles with codependency and what it means to truly care for yourself while caring for another. It was a serious departure from her other books, but so well written and engaging that I was down for the entire journey (though I skipped the poems!).
5. “Country Grit: A Farmoir of Finding Purpose and Love” by Scottie Jones
Sometimes the life we’re living isn’t the life we need. After her husband’s near-fatal car accident, Scottie and Greg Jones left their comfortable suburban life in Phoenix for a 60-acre farm in rural Oregon—with zero farming experience. This memoir, which Jones cleverly labels a “farmoir,” chronicles their steep learning curve, financial struggles, and eventual success in creating Leaping Lamb Farm and pioneering the Farm Stay movement in the United States. My daughter and I recently stayed on her farm, which we loved! Stay tuned for a blog post about this trip.
Why Books Matter in Our Make Life/Work Philosophy
At VIDA, we believe in the Make Life/Work philosophy—the idea that our professional lives and personal lives aren’t separate spheres but integrated parts of who we are. Reading, especially memoir, embodies this integration. Through books, we learn from other people’s experiences, gain new perspectives on our own challenges, and connect with ideas that shape both our work and our lives.
Whether you attended the Portland Book Festival, joined us for The Happiest Hour, or are simply looking for your next great read, I hope this list inspires you to pick up a book that challenges, comforts, or transforms you.
Join Us Next Time
Didn’t make it to The Happiest Hour this month? We host these community gatherings regularly at both VIDA locations. They’re designed to help you connect with fellow members, explore new interests, and build the kind of professional community that actually feels like community.
What are you reading right now? Share your current book or favorite memoir in the comments below or stop by VIDA to chat about it over coffee.
Melanie Marconi is the Founder & CEO of VIDA Coworking, with locations in Northeast Portland and Beaverton, Oregon. She believes in creating spaces where professional women can Make Life/Work through authentic community and meaningful connection.