Donations fill the cart.
It is a wonderful thing, really. We have started to devise a plan for book donations as we are inundated with them right now (which is wonderful and difficult). Still, I just can't turn away good books or people. Marti Anderson and Karen Jensen stopped by with donations and accolades for Street Books. The feeling is mutual ladies. Thank you!
Roger Came by Bicycle
To donate seven great paperbacks to the Street Books library. Thanks again, Roger.
Ben Chose Tolkien
He said he'd read The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Rings, so he was glad to get his hands on the next book in the series. We've got Return of the King waiting for him, when he's ready for it.
A Collaborative Project Yields a Donation for Street Books
Erin Osborne, an AmeriCorps member with Metropolitan Family Services, partnered with her school to do a penny drive to earn books for our library. Students from Lynchwood Elementary's S.U.N. program, along with Beth Wright-Kuhns, Broadway Books and Beaverton City Young Adult Librarian Dawn Borgardt, all collaborated to add new young adult books to our Street Books collection. Students also created lovely laminated book marks (complete with drawings and poems) for our patrons. Thank you to everyone who participated. Pictured: Erin and her daughter Aida
Jemane Donated "Me" to the Street Books Library
It's Katharine Hepburn's memoir. Thanks, Jemane. Always good to see you.
Isla Wasn't Sure About Tom's Accent
He read aloud to her from a Zora Neale Hurston collection. "Why are you reading with that voice?" Isla said.
"Because they're country folk!" Tom answered. "I'm trying to make it more authentic."
Isla wasn't convinced. She checked out a copy of Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie instead.
Pynchon + Proulx = Hmmm
Interesting combination, for sure. Tom took the great novel, Shipping News, as well as Thomas Pynchon's classic, The Crying of Lot 49. It will be interesting to see how he likes each book.
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.