Tuesday Thingers: Favorite Bookstores
August 12th, 2008
I participate in LibraryThing’s Tuesday Thingers group — a weekly blogging exercise. This week’s question:
Favorite bookstores. What’s your favorite bookstore? Is it an online store or a bricks-and-mortar store? How often do you go book shopping? Is your favorite bookstore (or bookstores) listed as a favorite in LT? Do you attend events at local bookstores? Do you use LT to find events?
I live in Portland, Ore., so this one’s pretty much a no-brainer. Favorite life-long bookstore is Powell’s City of Books here in town, which is the world’s largest new-and-used bookstore. It has a footprint of a full city block and is several stories high. They are about to expand again (after an epic expansion something around a decade ago). There are several satellite locations of Powell’s around the city, as well, including one not too far from my neighborhood.
We are fortunate enough that LibraryThing has integrated with Powell’s. I can see on works pages immediately if a given book is in stock and how much it’ll set me back.
Approximately half of my book spending is in real life, at Powell’s. I go about once every six weeks: more than that would be dangerous. I also spend a hefty fortune at Amazon.com. I have Amazon Prime (free 2-day shipping) and I’m lazy, so it works out well. Powell’s for when I need the immersive culture, Amazon when I need a particular book, at a good price. I also maintain a membership at Barnes & Noble, but I really dislike their stores (neutered, suburban and sterile). The occasional 50% deal makes it worthwhile for now, but I doubt I’ll renew it.
I do sometimes attend events at bookstores. I noticed yesterday, in fact, that the Powell’s events weren’t getting added to LibraryThing local, so I may add some in the next few weeks.
Finally, I find that there is no good substitute for a small-town, mom-and-pop bookstore. When I travel, I’m a sucker for them, and one day in my wrinkly future I dream of running one.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Oooh,,, I think Powell’s would more than make up for the wether, then
A whole blig, did you say? And multiple stories??
Do they also have apartments within I could rent?
August 12th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I have amazon prime too which is great. I try not to keep track of what I spend there- it’s I’m sure a small fortune
August 13th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Black Oak Bookstore in Berkeley is my favorite. I like the Powell’s on Hawthorne - plenty of selection and I always find stuff but not so overwhelming as the main superstore. I have sometimes walked into the main store and nearly walked out as I felt a surge of panic - where to start, how do I do it all, what if I miss something essential? I also like the New Renaissance in Portland because you can browse and sit quietly in a corner.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I share the same dream of owning a little bookshop in the future. I will be the crazy old booklady, sitting in an old wooden rocker on the porch. Regardless of whether its a success I want to grow old surrounded by books!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I went up to Seattle in 2003 for a real life meeting of about 25 people who’d met online. My husband and I got there a few days early, and we wound up going down to Powell’s in Portland. I’d heard a little about it, but when we turned the corner and I realized it had its own parking garage, I knew this was going to be my kind of bookstore. A few hours is just not enough to fully appreciate the place. As it was, I purchased so many books that I wound up getting rid of some of my clothing/shoes so everything would fit in my suitcases! LOL