Chris Came Back to Talk About MacBeth
He said the language part of it is slow-going, but the visuals help a lot. He's reading Shakespeare's classic in a graphic novel form, and said he's really enjoying it.
Adam Took The Shack
This librarian crossed his path on the way downtown to her shift, and he was happy to take a book.
Doctor Took Conan the Bold
Since he won't be back anytime soon to return it, he left us with a nice trade: a well loved copy of Searching for the Sound, a book about traveling with the Grateful Dead, by Phil Lesh.
Charlotte Took Dirty Tricks
This book has traveled in and out of the Street Books library many times now, and has a funny story attached to it: When Chris, one of our regular patrons, checked it out months ago, he balked at holding it up for his picture, given the bare backed woman on the cover, (he grabbed a copy of Christine, by Stephen King, to hold up instead, much to everyone's amusement). Doesn't look like Charlotte was too bothered. Happy reading!
They Weren't Sure Where They Were Headed
But Doctor, Charlotte, Preston, Melissa & Asher found titles in the Street Books library they were excited about (& devoured them almost immediately).
James Michael Took Dead Man Walking
Said he was glad to have walked past our library. (Note: because this librarian is posting the two Saturday shifts at once, she can report that James Michael returned the book yesterday, and thanked us kindly).
Yotum Wanted Vonnegut
But we had just checked out the last title, (have now restocked, thanks to donations). He's on the road from Jerusalem, headed to the coastline to do some woofing & kite-surfing. He said he'd flown a few places before realizing that he prefers to travel by land.
Troy Davis Favors Zombies
George McGilbert Didn't Want a Book
...but he took And No Birds Sang, by Farley Mowat. He says he is the King of Spain, and therefore has little time to read a book. George later came back by our cart: "God bless, thank you for making me take a book." Even the King of Spain needs a good read sometimes.
Cody Tells it Like it Is
Cody, a vendor for Street Roots, stopped by today and picked up a book by Portland author, Jason Breedlove. The book, 106513 chronicles Breedlove's experiences in and out of the Iowa State Penitentiary. He also took a good half an hour out of his day to talk to me about his life philosophies and what living on the streets is all about. Ultimately, it's about learning to trust the right people, he told me.
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Well Read
Ben searched for a good book. While he was browsing, we discussed Goethe's "Sorrows of Young Werther." He is no stranger to great literature, and says he used to fancy himself a wordsmith. Laura recently slipped him a small blank journal and a nice pen, in hopes he'll record some of his thoughts on paper.
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Making New Friends, Finding New Patrons
Mac came passing through the Skidmore Fountain area and stumbled upon me and the Street books cart. At first, he said he couldn't take a book because he was only in Portland every few months. After I explained our system I was able to coax him into taking a book with him. When I come back, I'll bring you a donation, he said. Sounds great. See you next time, Mac...
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Passersby Pedal Up to Street Books
Melinda pedaled 18 miles into Portland to grab some lunch, but not before stopping to give Street Books some grand accolades. So many folks stop by the library to find out what we are doing. Many already know and just want to say, "Thanks for doing this." And everybody wants to donate books! Thanks from the whole Street Books family -- we appreciate all of our patrons!
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Get Along, Little Doggies
Eric, a street cowboy himself, came looking for some more westerns to pass the time on a sunny day.
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Seek and Ye Shall Find
That's what Van did. He stopped by on a whim on his way to visit his friends at the waterfront. He wasn't sure why he stopped, but he found a book by Phil Lesh, Searching for the Sound that left him found.
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Impressive Memories
John was impressed that I remembered his name. "I can't remember yours," he laughed. No big thing. I wanted to know immediately, had he found his wallet? The last I saw John, he had spent some time at Street Books talking to filmaker, Travis Shields. He spent quite a bit of time at the book cart in general that day. He had indeed found it, in the most likely of places: his bag. We had a good laugh and then, while we were completing out library transaction, I realized I couldn't find my notebook. We both had an even bigger laugh together when I discovered it resting on top of the bike seat directly in front of me.
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Divine Renews
Divine walked right up to me, dropped her bag on the ground and started to fish through its contents. She drew out two books, held them out to me and said, "I want to renew these." I accepted the books. I held onto them for just a moment and then handed them right back to her. Bring them back when you are done I told her. She looked at me kind of sheepishly and then she said that she had requested The Catcher in the Rye. Was it in? She wondered. I had been surveying the shelf and restocking book returns. It was! And we both got a little giddy as I drew it out of the shelf.
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John Brought Back a Book of His Own, and One From a Friend
John arrived at Street Books with two books in hand. He said that he wouldn't be taking any books with him today - he still had plenty to read. Said he would stop back later in the week. Thanks, John!
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain at www.suezalokar.com