I visited Powell's for the first time this week.

[LWolf]

I was in Portland for work, for 2 days. The only extra-curricular event on my wish list was a visit to Powell's.

I ran through my budget in the first 10 minutes, and, 45 minutes later had to be pulled out by a colleague, who calmly reached into my basket and started taking out books so that I could meet my budget limit, rationalizing each rejection as he did so, and steering me to the check-out line so that we could meet the rest of our group for dinner.

I could have spent a few days there without any trouble at all.

I ended up with a bunch of stuff for the shelves of my classroom library, and a stack of stuff for me. A few of my selections include:

"Good Omens" by Gaiman & Pratchett
"The Book Thief" and "I Am The Messenger" by Zusak
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian," by Sherman Alexie
"Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You" by Peter Cameron
"Little Bee" by Chris Cleaves
"Outlander" by Gil Adamson

Which should I read first? Any comments?

[Hawkowl]

1. I love Powells!

I only live 3 miles away. I'm constantly recycling my books there.

[LWolf]

6. I would be, too, if I were that close.

That could be really dangerous. I have a serious addiction to books, and don't really like to get rid of them. The only reason I weed my shelves is to make sure that I have some room for new. ;)

[kestrel91316]

2. Well, my only comment is, you bought the WRONG Outlander, lol.

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series is the best time travel intellectual bodice ripper out there. Not sure who YOUR upstart is..........

[LWolf]

5. I already HAVE the other "outlander," lol.

Here's the one I got this time, by Gil Adamson:

http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9780061491252

[classof56]

3. Glad you discovered Powell's!

One of the best things about Portland, which is an awesome city IMHO.

I suggest reading Sherman Alexie's book and in doing so, try to figure out why it was "banned from high school in a certain Oregon town East of the Cascades" due to parental objections. I'm serious! Oregon progressives are mainly found in the Portland-Salem-Eugene area. Pretty conservative bunch over this way. (Except for a few of us enlightened Dems who hang out on DU!)

Enjoy your good reads!

:fistbump:

[LWolf]

4. PLEASE

tell me the high school.

The colleague who helped me clean out my basket is a high school teacher east of the cascades, and he told me that our local high school has a classroom set. ;)

I, too, am glad that I finally made it to Powell's. It's been on my list of places to get to for literally years.

I don't make it west of the cascades often; budgetary issues, mainly. When work pays for the trip, I'm there. It IS pretty conservative here on the east side. I've lived in heavily conservative areas for most of my life, which is why I'm such a "lone wolf," lol.

Now you've got me curious. Why WAS it banned? I'll have to dive in and find out!

[tigereye]

8. Alexie makes no"bones" about sexuality in his other works - maybe that was .

It

He also plays a lot with moral questions, and often ends with the choice that would make people squirm.

[tigereye]

7. ooh, I am envious. Seems like a great place.

I love Sherman Alexie.

[Jim__]

9. I used to live in Portland, and Powell's is definitely the best bookstore I've ever been in.

I live in Denver now. I used to go to Tattered Cover all the time. But, their stores are smaller now and not as interesting to browse through.

[LWolf]

12. It's definitely the best I've ever been in, as well.

As a life-long bibliophile, I've been in a lot of book stores. This one, though...I felt a rush when I walked through the doors like a junkie getting a fix, and had to be hauled out, somewhat incoherently, when my ride wanted to leave.

And I barely scratched the surface.

[david13]

10. Powell's is Super, but you don't have to be

anywhere near them. I deal with them totally online.
dc

[LWolf]

11. I do too, now.

I didn't get enough time, so when I got home, I went online and spent another $72. And got my books in 3 days. I'm a little greedy when it comes to books. :blush:

One of my volunteer parents invited me to head to Portland on their family trip in June; they go every June to stock up on summer reading for their kids, my students. They leave early in the morning, arrive at about 10 am, and spend the day. Just in Powell's, making it home that night.

I can't wait.

I think I have enough to keep me busy until then. I buy lots of books online, but there is nothing like wandering through the aisles, discovering books and authors you've never heard of, and getting lost for the day.

[BlueIris]

13. Ah, Powell's. I have never, in my life, gotten out of there without spending more than I budgeted.

Le sigh.

[LWolf]

14. I can say that about any book store.

Powell's, though...I've never run over-budget so fast, so blatantly, or left still craving more time, and more books.