Justus Took Hole
It's the short story collection by Jason Breedlove. He donated 2 copies to our street library last week.
Two New Book Donations
Jason Breedlove, a long standing Street Books supporter and local author, caught up with me to donate two copies of his new collection of short stories, Hole. Learn more about his story in the spring 2011 interview with Powell's Books here.
Urban Man, Mountain Man
Jesse is a mountain man in the city. He saw The Big Sky and had to read it.
So Many Great Books
Jaclynn and her friend had a hard time choosing. They settled on four titles for the week and said they couldn't wait to see what was on the cart next week.
Kudos from Joseph
Joseph had nothing but good thoughts and warm words to share with me about Street Books. He found a title from our ever-growing science fiction collection. Thanks, Joseph!
Justice for Justus
He likes to read non-fiction and was thrilled to find a little something to whet his palate: science, nature and A People's History.
He set down his books for a minute to play a tune for all of us at 4th and Burnside this morning.
Gratitude, From Street Books
There's a lot to be grateful for on this Thanksgiving holiday. I'm thankful for my fellow street librarian, Sue Zalokar, and how she stepped up this summer to take library shifts and help me see the long-term potential of the Street Books project. She is a huge reason that Street Books keeps on keeping on, and I appreciate her energy and good work. I'm grateful as well for Street Book's new working board: Israel Bayer, Beth Chapman & Amy Dennis. They have given their time and enthusiasm to the project, and are a stellar cast of characters to have with us. I'm grateful to the folks at Ecotrust, for their willingness to donate storage space for our books. Street Books will have a book drive there on Thursday, December 15th, from 11-4 , (721 NW 9th Avenue). It will coincide with Ecotrust's annual bake sale to benefit Raphael House, an agency helping survivors of domestic violence. Bring paperbacks down to donate, and enjoy a baked good at the same time. The rain has finally arrived in our fair city, and our winter library cards are hot off the presses. Our hours are 10-1, Mondays and Wednesdays, serving the Right2Dream camp, Old Town/China Town & the Skidmore Fountain area. We've acquired a large umbrella to open over our library (the regular-sized umbrella being a sad attempt at coverage - see photo below), and our plan is to keep running library shifts through the winter. We've realized that on the truly blustery days, when wind blows the rain sideways, and the library cart/umbrella is in danger of being blown all the way to Astoria, people are generally less motivated to gather on the street and talk about books. So on those days, we will pack it in. But we are grateful for the days that aren't too stormy. We will do our best to be outside offering good books to the people who are living there. Thanks for reading, and thanks for your support. Happy Thanksgiving from Street Books.
Sci Fi With a Side of Vonnegut
We receive many, many requests for science fiction and fantasy titles, as well as novels by Kurt Vonnegut. Curtis took two from the cart today, making room for more.
Can I Donate Some Books?
That is the million dollar question lately. And soon, we will have an answer for all of our amazing supporters like Lynn who approached me in Pioneer Square today. Yes! We have secured a storage space generously donated to Street Books by EcoTrust and we are planning a book drive for December. We will post more information about the event as the day comes closer. Thank you for contributing to the Street Books story.
Christmas in Pioneer Square
John Christmas, that is. He is part of the Occupy movement and thought Street Books was a great idea. He found a book to take his mind off the woes of occupation.
Occupy Your Mind with a Book
Frank is one of many folks awaiting the 7 p.m. Occupy Portland general assembly meeting tonight in Pioneer Square. He selected a book as much for its small stature as its content. "It's thin and it won't be too heavy to carry around," he said.
Fino Finds Generosity in the City
I was pedaling toward Pioneer Square after leaving the R2DToo camp and I encountered Fino and his two pups. I stopped and asked him if he likes to read. He said he did. He asked me about the library and he quickly spotted a Charles Bukowski novel. He found another title he would enjoy as well. How will I find you he asked me. I told him to look for us on Mondays and Wednesdays at the R2DToo camp ten to eleven-thirty or so. Or he could wave to us as we pedal through Old Town. "Thanks," he said. "Your kindness is truly appreciated."
Ernestae Counts Coup
Ernestae told me he likes to read nonfiction. I had noticed this excellent piece of journalistic writing by Larry Colton while organizing the cart earlier. It is the story of Sharon LaForge, a gifted basketball player and a descendant of one of George Armstrong Custer's Indian scouts. Ernestae is trying to make his way back to Los Angeles. There, he has a home and the prospect of work. He came to Portland to spend an extended holiday with his family, but when he got here, in a sad turn of events, he found himself without a place to stay. The folks at Right 2 Dream Too camp have been instrumental in helping him with housing and connecting him to the resources he needs to bet back home.
The Prince of Titles
Mark took a moment to glance through the library cart this morning and found a book to take him through the week.
Ray Finds Rumi
Ray approached me on shift a few weeks ago. He wanted to know if we could find a book for him, The Conference of the Birds by Sufi mystic, Rumi. We are still looking for that exact title, but in the interim we were able to match Ray with a book of essential Rumi poetry.
Chaz Checks Out A People's History
I met Chaz (on the left) for the first time this morning. He was looking casually through the library selections when he chirped, "Oh, I want to read that." It was Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Street Books supporter, Michael, had just donated this fantastic slice of historical pie to us last week during Laura's shift. The book found a happy home at the Right 2 Dream Too camp.
Brainstorming with Billi
Billi spent much of the morning front and center at the Street Books shift this morning. We spoke of Pow-Wows and The Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes and we brainstormed ideas for weatherizing the library for winter. It is wonderful to be welcomed into the Right 2 Dream Too camp so warmly.
Michael Donated A People's History
We are grateful to have a copy of Howard Zinn's book for our street library. A People's History of the United States is "the first scholarly work to tell America’s story from the bottom up—from the point of view of, and in the words of, America’s women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, working poor, and immigrant laborers." I read it while living in Ecuador, in 2002, and the effect it had was to make me feel very patriotic -- humbled by the thought of all the immigrants who'd come before, their dreams, their hard work in a new country. Zinn tells the old stories with a new perspective, one rarely mentioned in the history books in school. It's an important book to read.
