It was a sign. So I jumped out the van into the rain and made my escape.
OK, I should back up a bit and explain, but first let me say that whether you’re with family or on your own or back at work on this post-Thanksgiving holiday leftover Friday, this one is for you – and yes, it involves books.
Years ago, I was part of a large family celebration in Portland, Ore. We had a lovely time, and when it was over we planned to spend a few extra days together, all crammed into every available cranny of our communally rented house.
I love being with family, but I also enjoy an occasional respite from large groups, and that didn’t seem like a possibility at the time: We were headed back to the house, and our only agenda item was to hold a long U.N.-style discussion about future dinner plans. My people have a passion for planning meals.
Willing to cook, clean, get takeout or go out, I would agree to any plan if I could avoid attending an afternoon session of the Family Dinner Debate Society.
I was thinking about this as we sat in traffic, a platoon of us stuffed into a rented van. We were at a red light, rain streaming down the windows when I saw a sign.
It was the sign for the legendary Powell’s Books.
Portland, Oregon, USA – May 2, 2019: Powell’s headquarters, dubbed Powell’s City of Books, in downtown Portland’s Pearl District. It claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. (Getty Images)
Back then, I was a big reader but not writing much about books so I couldn’t pull my “gotta go check out this bookstore for work” baloney the way I do these days. Still, I wasn’t missing a chance to visit this giant, celebrated bookstore.
Eyeing the red light and trying to appear nonchalant, I blurted out over all the competing conversations that we should all go to the bookstore.
And for once, everyone agreed: No way.
So, as the seconds counted down before the next light change, I whispered to my wife: Do you mind if I peel off? And while I’m sure she said something wise in response – like, “Do you even know the address of where we’re staying?” or “You know you have to come back, right?” – I was crawling over seats and bodies, creating a hubbub as I yanked the latch to jump out.
Then I was out on the street. The light changed and no one shouted, “He’s getting away!” as the van sped off. I don’t recall cars honking either, which either speaks to the politeness of Portland drivers or suggests that it’s not unusual to leap from vehicles there when you spot a bookstore.
Anyway, I recall spending about four hours exploring the store. I eventually bought some books, walked back in the rain and stopped occasionally for a beverage at one of the city’s drinking/reading establishments.
Though I felt like the cool guy in the rain on the left, I’m pretty sure I was skipping along in the rain with my new books. (Getty Images)
It. was. glorious. I returned fully recharged and ready to eat a meal at the consensus place no one wanted to go to but was the only spot we could all agree on. (To be honest, I don’t remember what we ate but it was good to be together.)
So I hope you get to spend some of your day doing exactly what you like. And maybe you can find time for the sanctuary that bookstores, like libraries, offer. They’re places where people, ideas and even the occasional unobtrusive animal companion can visit and find some peace.
Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, an excellent day to – let me consult my map of Southern California’s many bookstores – visit one of the 80+(!) shops between Santa Barbara and San Diego to support our booksellers.
So enjoy the day, and if you see a bookstore, take it as a sign and go inside. (Just please don’t leap out of your vehicle; ask to be let out safely.)
***GIFT LINK: Southern California independent bookstore map***
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