Katleigh Returned Her Books
She said she's now officially a fan of Zora Neale Hurston. She also read As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner and didn't like it so well. But it's not exactly lose-yourself summer reading, right? Katleigh checked out a few more books, including Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, and Cruddy, by the wonderful Lynda J. Barry. Happy reading, Katleigh.
A Banner Day at the Street Books Library
People who read the terrific article by Rebecca Koffman at the Oregonian stopped by to see the street library, donate books and say hello. Big thanks to Ms. Koffman, who came down for two different Street Books shifts, and spent lots of time talking to people and observing the library in action. She captures the project and its aims very well, and I appreciate her keen eye for detail and wonderful writing. Robert Montgomery saw the article and came straightaway with a bag of great titles, including New Stories From the South: 2010, edited by Amy Hempel, one of my favorite authors. This librarian plans to get a quick look at that on her next shift.
Finally saw Tony again, and let him know I had the R.A. Salvatore books he'd requested a month or so ago. "I've been looking for you," I said. "I know, he said. "I was in the psych ward for four days, and then jail for three, so I've been gone awhile." "Welcome back," I said. I showed him the book marked "Reserved for Tony," and I could tell he was glad to see it.
A man named Arthur stopped by and recommended a book called The Butterfly Fleet, a book of historical fiction by Dena Johnson, which takes place in our own nearby Astoria. He said it was one of the best books he's read in a long time. While we talked, he began to arrange the paperbacks so that all the titles faced the same way. "I'm sorry," he said. "Do you mind? I'm a little compulsive about organization." I told him I was always happy for any organization, being (sadly) the opposite of compulsive about organization myself. So thanks, Arthur.
Had a very nice conversation with Dante, who has been on the road some years now, and he took time to tell me on video why Don Quixote is such an important book to read. I'll be posting that video soon, so stay tuned.
Thanks again, everyone, for the support, donations, and well wishes. I had a feeling when I launched this project that this city would rise to the occasion, and People of Portland, you haven't let me down.
Warren Took This Boy's Life
And donated a weatherbeaten copy of The 42nd Parallel. Thanks, Warren.
Lisa Took Cold Mountain
It was the copy I've been holding for Thomas, but I'll replace it this week
Street Books In the News
The Street Books project has been fortunate to have some great recent coverage by local press. The Mercury published this piece yesterday and today the Oregonian put up this nice video by Beth Nakamura. Thanks to her for the great video piece, and for Mark & Pamela, who were willing to give interviews and be filmed. I owe Mark a copy of Where the Red Fern Grows, (yes, he remembers how it ends, and he still wants to read it again). Thanks to everybody who has participated in the project so far. Happy July.
Thanks & More Thanks to:
--Terra DeHart, who brought books to donate to Street Books today, (look for her caricature booth at Saturday Market, back near the food carts). --Ed, who learned that Stephen King was a popular author with patrons, and brought me a King book during the same shift
--Angela Pascal & her giant white dog, Charlie, who heard us on the Think Out Loud program and brought a copy of The God of Small Things to donate.
--Lisa Hoashi, for feeding the librarian.
--Kim Kaminski, for tending the offspring.
Pamela's Going With Play Dead
It's Harlan Coben's first novel, a "fast-moving thriller," according to the cover. Thanks for coming back, Pamela.
Mark Came Back!
He returned A Hope in the Unseen and said it was kind of boring. He took The Thousand Orcs by R.A. Salvatore, which, if the cover is any indication, will definitely not be boring. Thanks for the return, Mark.
Phil's Home On Wheels
His cart was packed so expertly, so tall, that it warranted a photo. He said it wasn't as neat as he usually likes to keep it, but judging from the lilies poking out the side, Phil maintains a certain aesthetic even when he lets things go a little. Not pictured here: a dangling bag of soil out of which a very healthy tomato plant was growing.
Phil is Reading The Good Seed
The Good Seed book is a collaboration between Dave Dahl (inventor of Dave's Killer Bread) and Portland artist Varinthorn Christopher. It tells the story of Dave's life, his years in prison, and his efforts to kick a drug addiction and rejoin the family bread business. It is an inspiring story, complete with gnarly mug shots from the 80s and 90s, (including some truly epic mullets). Thanks to Dave & Varinthorn for donating some of their books to our project. Happy reading, Phil.
Joseph & Bandaloop Chose Let Me Stand Alone
It's a collection of writing from the journals of Rachel Corrie, the young activist who was killed by a bulldozer while trying to block the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza strip. Joseph said he named his dog Bandaloop after the ancient tribe in Tom Robbins' Jitterbug Perfume, since they had the secret of longevity, and after he watched his last dog grow gray and die, he wants to grant his new dog an extra long life.
