John Came, Bearing Art & the Word
And the word was good. John is an incredible collage artist, and was fascinating to talk with. One notable quote from him: "See what happens when you don't kiss up to the Roman Empire?" He talked about living small and protecting the earth's resources, and about the importance of looking out for our fellow humans. Keep an eye out for him downtown -- he's got marvelous collage pieces for sale.
Adam Checked Out Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
It's Alison Bechdel's really excellent graphic memoir -- she's a great artist & storyteller.
Alan Took the Street of No Return
He was very glad to find the street library, and brought a friend back a few minutes later, so that he could check out a book as well.
Tommy Loves Street Books
He works at a café nearby, and has offered to make us coffees on the house. Thanks for your support, Tommy.
Michael Chose "The Beats"
It's a graphic novel about writers and artists from the Beat generation. Good stuff!
We Made An Exception
James, a Portland City Bike Patrol Officer, cruised by the library and stopped to tell us what a great idea he thinks it is. I thanked him for his kind words. As he was leaving he glanced at the cart and a title caught his eye: "Into Thin Air," by John Krakauer. He said he's been on the waiting list for the book at Multnomah County library for several weeks. "Do you have to be homeless to check out a book?" he asked me. I issued him a card, and sent him on his way. We're in the business of connecting people to books, and even though our primary aim is to serve people living outside, we are not above making an exception from time to time. Happy reading, James.
Dante: Guest Librarian
Something very exciting is happening next week. Dante, one of our loyal supporters and a patron of Street Books, will be standing in as a guest librarian. He came to the shift today to train with me. The hardest part? It's getting used to the cart. But he did a great job navigating downtown traffic!
Thanks Dante...having patrons help with the operations of the library was one of our original goals. (He also took a book for the week). So, stop by the South Park Blocks Saturday and say, "Hi."
Olivia Was Just Passing By
And she stopped to select a book to take with her. Enjoy it friend! We'll see you soon.
William Enjoys Dan Brown's Writing
William was really excited to crack the spine on this Dan Brown book. He thinks Street Books is a great project.
Writers Interest Piqued
- Karl Friedrich, Camas author of the newly released book, "WINGS: a novel of WW II Flygirls" stopped by Street Books to say hello on Saturday.
- Watch a short televison news spot where Karl talks about his book and the inspiration for writing it.
Jim Selects James Joyce
Jim was quite thoughtful in his book selection process. I was 'in the weeds' as they say, talking to interested bystanders and completing book transactions with patrons. He found a book he liked: James Joyce, "A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man". Jim, James...hmm, is it a coincidence that Jim makes a handsome portrait himself? I don't think so.
Isla: It Only Takes One Good Book
Isla returned "Reservation Blues" which she had checked out last week. She chose to take a Zora Neale Hurston collection. Tony had read aloud to her from the same book last week.
"It only takes one good book to get you reading again" she said.
Abraham Returns
Abraham returned a book on shift today. "I wanted to make sure you got it back," he said. Though he didn't take a book with him this time, I invited him to our Street Books Reception and he showed me some of his drawings. See you around, Abraham.
Tilden Took Non-Required Reading
Tilden approached the cart first thing. He was resting on a bench near out library spot when I arrived. He had not heard of Street Books before and was happy to learn about our little library. He took a collection of stories, "Best of American Non-Required Reading" and sat in the shade most of the morning and read.
