October is National Book Month: a celebration of reading, writing and literature. Maybe it is our rainy winters, or our abundance of neighborhood bookstores, but Portlanders love to cozy up with a good book. In fact, Portland is home to Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world. To celebrate National Book Month, we asked Venture Portland’s District Managers about their favorite books and where they shop for their friends and family.
Christian’s favorite book is Catch-22. “The story is a hilarious and often tragic satire about perseverance in the in the face of insanity,” says Christian. “Also, the novel is largely set in a B-25 squadron stationed in the Mediterranean during World War II. Since my grandfather was a B-25 navigator who served in the same theater, it’s easy for me to imagine him on the island of Pianosa with Yossarian and the rest of the gang.” Catch-22 is available at Broadway Books on NE Broadway.
Kathy’s favorite book is The Paper Palace, by Miranda Cowley Heller. In the course of a singular day on Cape Cod, one woman must make a life-changing decision that has been brewing for decades. Kathy’s favorite bookstore is the legendary Powell’s Books in the Pearl District.
Nana is always looking for new books to read to her children. One of her favorite family books is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, a classic tale of a voracious caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week and then changes into a beautiful butterfly. Nana also loves browsing the shelves for comics at Books With Pictures in Division/Clinton Business District.
Tanya’s favorite book is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. “It is a true story of how this woman survived this really crazy, unconventional childhood, and became this adjusted amazing adult despite it all,” says Tanya. “It has inspired me often and I think about this book and her story a lot.” When Tanya’s children were young, she loved going to Green Bean Books on Alberta as a special treat.
Deborah recently started reading White Fragility by Dr. Robin DiAngelo, which explores the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged and how these reactions maintain racial inequality. She also loves the selection of gardening books at Livingscape in Williams District. And Deborah says, “Not only do they have a wonderful selection of plants and everything you need for your chickens, they have a great book section full of useful guides and information to help you plan your fall crops and spring flowers.”
You can find more great Portland reading resources at Travel Portland’s Book Store Guide. And don’t forget to check out Episode 4 of our Small Business Portland Podcast where we chatted with Christine Longmuir from Two Rivers Books in St. Johns. What are you reading right now? Show us on Instagram and Facebook.