The year of adventure brought me on a coast-to-coast journey from Massachusetts to Oregon. It was a whirlwind week of little sleep but amazing fun with new and old friends. And, of course, an incredible bookstore.
When I knew I was visiting Portland, I knew I had to go to Powell's. My friend asked me what I definitely wanted to see and I said, in this order: "Powell's, mountains, and the Goonies' beach." While the mountains were incredible (the Rockies are still my faves) and we didn't get to go to the beach, I was in love with Powell's. So much that I went twice and then once in the airport Powell's for good measure. In total, I spent more than three hours in "the city of books," mouth agape and feet wondering, admiring what felt like miles and miles of books.
There were books as far as the eye can see. A mix of new and used, bestsellers and obscure texts; award winners and should-have-beens; picture books and chapter books; anthologies and literary series. Nonfiction, fiction, sections on transportation, books in another language, and so much more. I don't think I nearly saw everything.
On the first visit, I mostly bought gifts for my friend who was getting married (she also loves books), including some local art and a variety of books, and a gift card because - who can't go there? I managed to find a copy of Bill Bryson's biography of Shakespeare for $7.98 (+ no tax because it's Oregon) and decided it was a good find.
The second visit, I piled more than a dozen books, new and used, into a basket and illegally took them into the cafe. Illegal because they only want people to take five books at a time in there, but I ignored the sign and voraciously devoured the more-than-a-dozen books by indulging in their first few pages (obviously, to find the right fit). I chose two and re-shelved the remainders. I then wandered into a nonfiction area of the store with every kind of history imaginable - from the general world or country-based histories to the memoirs of world leaders and small towns. I only made it down one aisle because I was overwhelmed at the prospect of all that was in front of me, and stumbled upon Jimmy Carter's White House Diary for $4.98. Noticing that Amazon was selling copies (new and used) between $20-30), I clearly couldn't pass the deal up in adding to my presidential history/memoir shelf. And between these two visits I may have purchased a souvenir (...a coffee cup, water bottle, magnet...) or three. And then a canvas bag to hold all the things.
In the airport, I was given a YA novel that takes place in Portland as a recommendation, and then saw that a book that's been seemingly following me around except to the library (ok, I just notice it everywhere, it's always checked out, and I always rationalize not buying it despite its intrigue because of its price...which really is nonsensical considering my other book purchases). It was $7.98 brand new and I thought, well, I've already broken my "no-purchasing-books-in-2014" rule so why not?
Therefore, my rest of 2014 reading list will include:
- "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed (this is my non-fiction, audiobook pick for the gym - I'm about halfway through)
- "Wildwood" by Carson Ellis (started it on the plane)
- "Indian Killer" by Sherman Alexie (he'd be so proud of my support for a local bookseller, obviously)
- "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" (under $8) by Dave Eggers (because, Dave Eggers)
- "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne (this was the book that follows me around and finally convinced me to say yes)
- "Shakespeare" by Bill Bryson
- "The Girl You Left Behind" by Jojo Moyes (actually purchsed at a different airport bookstore in Boston as I was concerned about not having enough to read [pre-Powell's] for the 4 hour plane ride. I am ridiculous).
So there you have it. Updates to come.
