City of Books

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Now that’s the sort of city I’d like to live in. But “City of Books” isn’t a real city, just the motto of Powell’s Books in Portland, Ore.

I spent four days in Portland last week and probably six hours (over four visits) at Powell’s, self-described as the world’s largest independent bookstore. One million books over nine rooms, four floors and 68,000 square feet that covers an entire city block. They hand out maps to help you navigate.

I limited myself to seven books. Just browsing was enlightening. My boy Mark Twain filled 11 shelves. Dickens filled nine. Powell’s stocks used and new books together, a consumer-friendly touch. Powell’s doesn’t have everything, but if you can’t find something to interest you, you’re not looking very hard.

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