One hour to explore the world’s greatest bookstore. The results:
- Three books found me instead of me finding them. Powell’s is an amazing labyrinth of stacks and stacks of books, (4,000,000+ to be precise). I headed for Milan Kundera in literature and was sucked into countless book covers and displays along the way.
- Finally reached my original destination– Milan Kundera’s The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, had second thoughts because my arms were already full, opened to a random page, which turned out to be a passage about writing a novel for the first time. Fitting, sold.
- Tears. Literally. I wanted to stay all day. I have never been in a bookstore that sucked me in to this degree. All those words, all those authors. So many worlds captured. A live poetry reading by a published author. I will be back for much more than an hour next time. Maybe I will just move to Portland.
- Last, but not least, new life goal– someday have my own book hidden somewhere in those glorious stacks.
So many choices, so little time.
The bounty of my 30-minute shopping spree, (including two t-shirts).
oliviaobryon 
In one year, let’s plan on moving. Even if we live there for only one year it will be an experience! I can learn leatherworking or some other hipster artisan trade 🙂
My boyfriend took me to The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio and I felt much the same way. That night we also ate a pub with a polka band. There were moments when I felt like I was Belle in Beauty and the Beast. 🙂
Olivia: I LOVE POWELLS. My in-laws (who have both passed on now) lived in Beaverton and we would visit them about twice a year so the kids would see Grandma and Grandpa. Our favorite date was to spend an afternoon at Powells and get some coffee, which is always great in rainy Portland. I am sorry you only had one hour! I could live there. I am sure you know what I mean. Book, books, glorious books!
Yes, I could definitely live there too– next time I hope it will be an open-ended visit, I had no idea how much I’d love it!