Powell’s Books in Portland (Oregon, of course) remains the best bookstore NewMexiKen has ever visited. In the past it has edged out Tattered Cover in Denver for the top spot. After today I think Elliott Bay Book Co. in Seattle is number two.
(Larry McMurtry’s Booked Up in Archer City, Texas, is in a league all its own.)
Any other nominees — that is, bookstores I must visit?
The Brodsky Bookshop in Taos.
I doubt it has become an internet cafe bookstore since I last visited Taos. Geraniums grew in coffee cans in the front window and there was a cat.
Lots of Southwestern and American Indian studies books, a good variety of fiction and children’s books.
There’s always Cody’s in Berkeley, and if you can time travel, A Clean Well Lighted Place in the other SF.
Pilgrim’s Books in the Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu, Nepal, has been a shrine for world travelers for decades. It’s huge and it’s great.
I too have always loved Elliot Bay Book Co in Seattle. When I lived in Everett , Wa. I made plenty of excursions there. It really has personality.
And in Everett there used to be a fantastic used bookstore in an old two-story house downtown. It was called Don Quixote’s. There was a very large inventory and the owner could lead you right to a book if he had it. And he usually did. I hope he’s still in business.
Here in Portland there’s a small used bookstore called Longfellow’s that is worth a visit. Not in the same league as Powells but still a great place to explore.
Well, if it’s Powell’s you want, you might as well go to the original one in Hyde Park, Chicago (many used and out of print books) You also get the added bonus of 3 other good bookstores within a half-mile walk.
57th St. Books — general interest
Seminary Co-Op Bookstore — academic books
O’Gara and Wilson — antiquarian
There are probably a couple more that I’ve forgotten in that area.
Either Or Bookstore in Manhattan Beach, CA, is one of my favorite bookstores. Very hippy-dippy, but wonderful, and with a most excellent cat. And I’ve never been to Powell’s, but I seriously need to visit anything that beats Tattered Cover.
You must visit Powell’s again, because you didn’t see it all.
Powell’s is to bookstores what Wall Drug is tacky Americana.
Tattered Cover is like an amusement park…you can just get lost on the literary rides…will have to visit Powell’s next time I am in Portland. For a fun selection of rare books try http://www.rarelibrary.com ….I can surf the night away on that site