The first time I saw my book in a store was at Powell's City of Books at the Orange Room info. desk. Next to the one and only!
I moved to Portland from Catalina Island in part because of Powell's Books. I applied for a job at Powell's Books for Home and Garden before I even got to town. Once I'd been here for a few weeks I interviewed at downtown's Powell's City of Books. I think you already know that I didn't get either job but you probably don't know how many times I've applied to work for Powell's Books since. Neither do I -- I've lost count.
I first heard of Powell's as an undergrad. at Vassar College. I was a junior there when I bought my first book from Powell's on the website. I was obsessed with Graham Joyce at the time and had to get my hands on a hard-to-find novella of his. Powell's had it and I've been hooked on Powell's since.
When I moved here in 2002 Powell's was kind enough to give me a friend. Ingrid and I kept seeing each other at readings for weeks at the downtown Burnside location so one night I turned around and asked her if she wanted to move up a row and join me. We're still friends.
Over the years I've been to so many amazing author readings at Powell's Books ranging from Barry Lopez and Brian Froud to Dave Eggers, Nick Hornby and Miranda July. Now I get to attend the readings of authors that I work with at Hawthorne Books publishing house as well. Not too shabby.
The fact that Powell's has been so supportive of me and my book Food Lover's Guide to Portland since it came out on July 1st and the fact that I have a book event scheduled there next Monday, Aug. 2nd I feel the need to open my heart and gush a little over my favorite bookstore.
I LOVE YOU POWELL'S! THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST BOOKSTORE IN THE WORLD!
Since it came out Powell's has been behind my book. I'm so grateful.
Please come to my Food Lover's Guide to Portlandpanel event with Nick Zukin of Kenny & Zuke's, Sarah Hart of Alma Chocolate, Steve Jones of Cheese Bar, and John Cleary of Newman's Fish Co. Monday, Aug. 2nd 7:30pm Powell's City of Books on Burnside