Beautiful Day, Lovely Patrons
After a few Saturdays of chilly, drippy weather, which found this librarian and her paperbacks decidedly damp, today was a very sunny day and the weather matched the people, for the most part. Right away Brian showed up and returned 2 books, and checked out 2 more. He is definitely a shy, quiet person -- opted not to have his photo taken again. It was great to see him, and great to send him off with 2 new titles. Chris returned "Dirty Tricks" and Jeffrey G. brought a whole bunch of RA Salvatore books to donate that have been on my Request list. A woman named Sharron Volkman stopped by to donate a paperback, and a traveler named Isla donated 5 bucks before she checked out a few books. A guy named Robert requested some of the Forbidden Gospels, especially Enoch, he said. Jim came around to show off his handsome sanded walking sticks. Kreeg Peeples from Potluck in the Park stopped by. His business card says "Serving anyone in need since 1991." His organization feeds hundreds of people every Sunday at 3 p.m., rain or shine (at O'Bryant Square, 9th & SW Washington). They've seen an incredible spike in the number of people needing assistance in the last couple of years, and see more families & children as well. The Street Books library saw a mix of regulars and newcomers today, and it was great to see how many books went out. Lots of interest in the project, and support via donated books and donated $ on the Sponsor a Book page. Thanks everybody, and I'll keep you posted.
Katleiah Stocked Up
She said she used to be on the streets but has a place to sleep now. She went with an eclectic mix of Zora Neale Hurston, Philip K. Dick, W. Faulkner and the Portland Noir collection that Adam returned last week. Happy reading, Katleiah!
John Went Into the Wild
He said he likes philosophy & mysticism, but thought he'd check out the John Krakauer book about a kid who strikes out on his own into the wilderness.
Eric Said, "Do you have any Westerns?"
I sent him with 2 Louis L'Amour titles: Ride the Dark Trail, & Sackett.
Roy Chose Christine
Last week he told me that he wouldn't mind reading some Stephen King, and today when he came around, I offered him the classic about the car who goes bad.
Deborah Chose a Mystery
She was at the library when Max checked out James Frey, and said it mattered to her when she learned Frey had embellished his memoir. "I was halfway through it when they found out he lied, and it really ruined it for me," she said.
Max Chose a Million Little Pieces
He said he didn't care if James Frey had made stuff up in his memoir. "Doesn't matter so much, if the story's good," he said. He said he's staying in a shelter, and wondered if he could still check out a book, even though he's not technically living outside. "Absolutely," I told him.
Pamela Came Back
She swapped a Jean Auel ("It was boring") for one called People of the Wolf. Thanks for the return, Pamela.
Mark Likes Champions
He said he could use something inspiring, like a redemption story. He took a copy of A Hope in the Unseen, Ron Suskind's book that traces the path of a talented young African-American student who makes it through a rough Washington D.C. high school to be accepted to Brown University.
Adam Returned a Book!
He found me at the Park Blocks, and returned the Portland Noir collection. Then chose a Gandhi reader and Kevin Sampsell's memoir, A Common Pornography. He said he'd looked on the Street Books website this past week to see his photo. "That was a good picture!" he said. "It was," I agreed. We talked for a bit, then he took a bracelet from his wrist and gave it to me. One of his friends said, "Hey man, why does she get one?" Adam said, "She's helping me with my education, that's why."
Chris Chose Dirty Tricks
A kind of murder/mystery. It had a sexy cover, with a woman's bare back, and just before I snapped his photo, Chris said, "Wait! I have to hold up something more respectable." He grabbed a Stephen King book and held it up. "Christine?" I said. "That's more respectable?" He laughed. "Maybe not."
Josh Requested The Gunslinger
It's from Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Josh is the one who showed up last week with some scrappy teenagers in tow, saying "See, I told you she'd be here. This is a street library. Check it out." So I was happy to find him a book this week, and even happier to see him today, when I could hand it to him.
Stephanie Requested Nora Roberts
So I tracked down a Nora Roberts title at 2nd Glance Books this week, (a kind of steamy murder mystery called Sacred Sins). It was a small thrill to make a match, book to patron, and it happened several times today. Stephanie was excited to get her book.
Ms. Steinmetz is a Fan of Christopher Walken
We agreed he was pretty wonderful in the film version of Dead Zone.
