Author Anthony Doerr Donates a Copy of His Book
Based in Boise, Idaho, Doerr is an incredibly good short story writer, and he recently sent a copy of his latest collection, Memory Wall, to the Street Books library. Thanks, Anthony!
Tyler Checked Out Cat's Cradle
He's read a few other Kurt Vonnegut titles, but not this one, and he was glad to get it.
"Orfan" Finds a Home at Street Books
Corie Skolnick spent much of her time writing her book, "Orfan" - which was published at the first of the year - right here in Portland, Oregon. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a psychology instructor at California State University, Northridge and Moorpark College. She is in town for an upcoming reading of her book at the Huffman Center in Manzanita, Oregon on August 20.
Corie pedaled over to Street Books after reading about our project on Sam Sattler's blog, Book Chase. She stopped by to donated signed copies of her book, "Orfan" and two others: "The Crime Writer" by Gregg Hurwitz and "Becoming Patrick" by Patrick Mcmahon. We are honored to grace our shelves with your book Corie! Best of luck to you and thanks!
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Pamela Loves a Good Story
Pamela stopped by right after author, Corie Stilnick made a donation of three signed books. The Crime Writer caught Pamela's eye immediately and she was off to find a shady spot to start her new book.
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Adrian, Cassidy and Hiccup
These three came bounding up to the Street Books cart....literally. Hiccup led the way, making a splash in the fountain before leaping up to the cart. The three have been traveling together since New Orleans when Hiccup was just a pup. Adrian and Cassidy each found a book they would enjoy. Hiccup will have many happy hours resting in the shade while his people kick back and read their books.
Read more abou the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Omar Was Full of Smiles
Omar says he loves to read. He was so happy to have found Street Books.
We talked about the beauty of a sunny day and the full moon that was waning back toward being a new moon.
He gave me a friendly handshake on his way down the street saying, "Beautiful day....beautiful day."
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Troy [Fork] Lifts His Spirits
Troy, a vendor for Street Roots, sells the paper on the corner of SW 3rd and Morrison in Downtown Portland. He is there most mornings. Though he enjoys selling the paper, he is looking forward to the day when he might operate a forklift. (He is going to take the fork lift operator test next week). He didn't see anything on the cart that interested him today, but he stopped to chat and said he will be back another day. Good luck Troy!
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Dante's Philosophy
Dante kept me company for much of my shift today. What a treat! We talked about everything under the sun: life on the street, mutual friends and their contributions to the world, The Art of War and chocolate chip cookies.
Thanks for the friendship, Dante, and the company.
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Gentle Ben
Ben, another patron whom I see without fail on my Wednesday shifts, examines the new edition of the Street Roots Rose City Resource Guide as he slides it into his pack. He also found two books to take with him. See you next week, Ben!
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Still Life with Pedal Biker
John came upon our library while pedaling through Ankeny Square. He had never heard of Street Books, but he was thrilled to be able to take a book with him. He just finished reading Picking Cotton and he needed something fresh to read. He nearly flipped a cartwheel from the seat of his bike when I pulled out Tom Robbins, Still Life With Woodpecker.
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Sister, Can You Spare a Smile?
Matt and Joseph are two new Street Books patrons. They approached the cart today by soliciting smiles. I had plenty to share with them, everyone did. These two young men's smiles where infectious. They each selected a book and said they would be back before they head south to return their books and check out others.
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
Keith Finds Two Books to Take Him Through the Week
Keith visits Street Books every Wednesday without fail. He found two books today and said, "That should get me through the week."
Even if it doesn't, he knows where to find us on Saturdays...
Read more about the day at Skidmore Fountain.
A Colorful Street Books Shift & The Photos That Got Away
As with most weeks, the Street Books shift did not disappoint. This librarian had an interesting conversation with C., a regular patron, who broke down the city by drug areas: Park Blocks is weed, he said. China Town, crack, though it's better than it used to be. Pioneer Square, Alder and Washington Streets between Broadway & Fourth: pills, heroin. The Galleria on Morrison and under the Burnside Bridge is meth, he said. Though in winter it's a mixed bag under the bridge. C. says he's trying to kick heroin -- he's been clean 14 days now. We're wishing him good luck. Portland legend (actress, writer) Marjorie Sharp came by with her little dog, and participants from a city-wide scavenger hunt called CitySolve (including superheroes, some in short-shorts--see below) visited the Street Books library to have their pictures taken.
Portland poets Matthew & Michael Dickman stopped by, carrying a bag of pickles and about 20 baguettes. They are twin brothers who have both had success with their writing. Michael's recent book is Flies, and it's already winning prizes. Matthew has a great collection called All American Poem, for which he's also received prizes, including the Oregon Book Award for poetry in 2009. He said in an interview, that he wants people "from the community that I come from" (the Lents neighborhood in southeast Portland) to get his poems. "Also, I decided to include anything I wanted in my poems...Pepsi, McDonald's, the word 'ass.'" Matthew said he'd like to donate a copy of his collection to the Street Books library, so we look forward to that. After they said goodbye, I realized I'd missed a great opportunity to snap their photo -- to talk them both is like talking to one Dickman in stereo, and seeing them together is great. Ah well, just visualize 2 poets in plaid shirts and horn-rimmed glasses, bearing pickles & baguettes, and you'll get the picture.
The other photo I should have taken: A wonderful conversation sprung up between security guard/Street Books fan A.B. and Jeffrey, a formerly homeless/meth addict who is now a student at Marylhurst University. Jeffrey was in my creative nonfiction class this summer, and helped out at the Street Books library. He's a terrific writer, and he is full of ideas about how he wants the rest of his life to go. He gestured to A.B., who was looking through the library books, and said "That guy used to wake me up in the park next to the elephant, back when I was still using. He was always pretty nice about it." "Hey, A.B.," I said. "This is Jeffrey, and he used to be on the streets. He says you weren't mean about telling him to move on." I told A.B. that Jeffrey was a college student now, and free of drugs. A kind of success story. "I thought you looked familiar," A.B. said. He reached out an shook Jeffrey's hand.
The Street Books project has created an intersection for these conversations to happen, where people can stop and talk to one another. People who live under roofs, people who live under bridges, people who love books, poets with baguettes, and dogs on leashes. So many stories to be told.
We are very glad to announce that the Street Books project will live on after the RACC grant ends in early September. We will have a reception in September (Save the Date: September 12, 6-8 p.m., at the Mercy Corps Action Center), to wrap up the grant and launch Street Books as its own entity. We'll keep you posted on how you can help us to run the Street Books library through the winter, and beyond. Thanks again to everyone.
Thelma Went With Frankenstein
Dean Koontz's version, that is. Koontz is no Mary Shelley, but it's an exciting read, just the same.
Jared Took a Pair
Abbie Hoffman's Steal This Book & Lifeguard, by James Patterson. Contrary to Hoffman's instructions, Jared signed the book out, like a good citizen.
Jemane Went Away With Twilight
And tried to make a vampire face to go with her book -- turned into a smile instead. Jemane visited the Street Books library on our very first shift, back in the first week of June, and she's returned over time with books to return, and new ones to donate to the project.
Lonnie Took Lando
He's a fan of Louis L'Amour, and one of our regular patrons now. We also see him at Skidmore Fountain, returning books and checking new ones out. Thanks, Lonnie.
MacBeth Close-Up
The graphic novel Chris is reading, adapted by John McDonald. Wish it had been around when I was reading it in college.
