KimKim Took A Common Pornography
She and her friends recommended a quick list of books for the Street Library, including authors like Vonnegut, Burroughs, and Emerson (The Pearls of Wisdom). Also Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, The Art of War, by Sun Tzu, and The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. KimKim said Brooklyn Bodhisattvas, A Book of Visions & Kabballistic Poetry (by Shulamit) really rocked her world. Drop me an email if you've been meaning to unload these very books to a street library. 
Mycol Devoured Fast Food Nation
Or appeared to, at least, in his photograph. Mycol has lived outside in the past, but has now secured housing. He talked eloquently about the challenges young people face even after they do find housing, especially if they are accustomed to living outside and not shaping their days to fit any schedule or rules. The adjustment is hard. But he is enjoying his apartment and has thrived, recently getting a certificate from Growing Gardens for work he did for the program. He articulated well the issues around hunger, farming and growing one's own food. A very impressive young man. And looking for work, I might add.
Isla Checked Out Portland Noir
She came through about a month back, and donated $5 before she checked out books. Thanks for coming back, Isla.
Chris Needed Homeland
As I filled out his Street Books library card, I asked him his name, and he said "Chris." Then he said, "Whoa, that's my real name," as if he hadn't given that to anybody in a while. "I'll guard it," I said. Safe travels, Chris.
B. Mr. Wree Chose the Dharma Bums
And the Umbrella Academy, which has now been checked out and returned several times. Said he was having a hard time right now. He sat along Salmon Street and sang "Hey Nah-nah, hey nah-nah" for a while, in a lovely rich voice that carried over the square.
Stephanie Chose Stephanie
She's read the Twilight series before, but Stephanie thought she'd like to read them again (and happens to share the author's name, first & last). She returned 2 books first, and then checked out Twilight. Good to see you again, Stephanie.
S
Ken Knew Pamela Likes Wolves
He read it on the Street Books website. So he brought a bag to the street library and said it was for Pamela. When I looked inside, I found a soft plush wolf, a beautiful book of colorful wolf photos and a wolf calendar. When I found Pamela later and passed the things on to her, she hugged the wolf to her chest and cried.
Zach Took Che Guevara
He made the request last week and I found the Journals of Che Guevara for him.
Tony Got His Salvatore
He said he didn't want to take the book to jail. "You're headed to jail?" I said. "Yeah," he said. "There's no warrant yet, but I've been doing bad stuff."Good luck, Tony.
A Group of Girls Came By the Library
They had just sold their books at Powells bookstore in exchange for a $100 gift card which they donated to Street Books. Thanks to Grace, Blakely, Holly, Avery, Helen, Macy and Kari.
Eric Went With To Tame a Land
And later he brought me a bottle of water. Bless your heart, Eric.
Mark Returned Where the Red Fern Grows
And apologized for the fact the book smells like Old Spice aftershave. "It came open in my pack," he said. No harm done, Mark. He checked out Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. It's the story of a kid who is stranded in the Canadian wilderness, after a small plane crash. He survives on turtle eggs and fish and berries, and encounters bears, porcupines, and other animals. After he's eventually rescued, he realizes that the time in the wilderness has made him more thoughtful about things.
Guest Librarian Sue Zalokar Reports
Sue took the shift on Saturday at the Park Blocks, and reports that she had no less than eight (!) people waiting for her when she biked up. Many patrons returned books and checked out new ones, and new faces stopped in to see what was going on. Please have a look at Sue's great blog post here, to get a flavor of her day: http://suezalokar.com/adventures/you_cant_always_tell_a_book_by_its_cover_
The Kindness of Strangers
Okay, they're not exactly strangers, since Broadway Books has been selling books and hosting great readings since 1992. But they certainly are kind, and owners Roberta Dyer and Sally McPherson recently contacted Street Books and asked what they could do to help. Knowing we were likely inundated with paperback book donations (we are!) they offered a $50 gift certificate so that we can buy particular titles not readily found in the donation piles. Roberta & Sally also posted a really nice letter to their blog about Street Books. Have a look at it here. Big thanks to Sally & Roberta, booksellers who are committed to getting books to people, no matter where they live.