Q&As
by Dani Shapiro, January 15, 2019 9:21 AM
Photo credit: Michael Maren
Describe your most recent book.
In the spring of 2016, I stumbled entirely by accident on a massive family secret. My father — whom I adored, and who died when I was young — hadn’t been my biological father. I made this discovery because I had my DNA tested through a commercial testing site. There was no reason for me to do this. I was certain of my family history. I was raised in an observant Jewish home, and both sets of my ancestors were from Eastern Europe. Except… that turned out not to be the case. The true story of my identity quickly became clear — shockingly so, after 54 years of it having been hidden from me. And that story involves the history of reproductive medicine, which is a fascinating and disturbing world, and ultimately, the search for my biological father, who had been a sperm donor...
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Lists
by Powell's Staff, December 28, 2018 11:22 AM
I plan to read everything published by Arsenal Pulp Press this year. Memoir, novels, poetry, cookbooks — this progressive Canadian press has a bit of everything and always impresses and inspires. A must for fans of queer lit and intersectionality! — Robin A.
This coming year I'm determined to rekindle my passion for children's picture books in the hopes that it pushes me to finally finish my own. The imagery and lessons found within these books have stuck with me through the years, both inspiring me as an artist and reminding me at all times to be the best version of myself I can possibly be. What a dream it would be to return that favor to the little humans of our future...
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Lists
by Powell's Staff, December 7, 2018 9:38 AM
Without further ado, our favorite fiction from 2018.
The Pisces
by Melissa Broder
Sometimes I read a book that wrings me out so thoroughly I barely know who I am anymore. It's disturbing and disorienting, and although I'm glad it doesn't happen often, it is one of my very favorite things about reading. I had no idea that The Pisces was going to be one of those books. I was expecting a fluffy summer beach read about a hot merdude, and instead I got this book which absolutely destroyed me. I can't stop thinking about The Pisces; I already want to read it again...
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Lists
by Powell's Staff, December 6, 2018 9:30 AM
Questions of reality, gender, race, love, crime, and, yes, psychedelics captivated our attention this year. Here are some of our favorite nonfiction books from 2018.
And Now We Have Everything
by Meaghan O'Connell
And Now We Have Everything is the most honest book about becoming a mom I've read. I don't have kids and don't know that I ever will, but I have a lot of anxieties about parenting and childrearing and Meaghan's writing aligns with them perfectly. This book is really funny in a kick-you-in-the-stomach kind of way, and I found myself laughing and sobbing a lot while reading it. As a childless bookseller, I wholeheartedly believe everyone — mothers in any sense of the term and others — would benefit from reading this book...
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Portrait of a Bookseller
by Powell's Books, December 5, 2018 2:48 PM
How would you describe your job to someone you just met?
I’m a holiday mascot. Basically, I represent the Powell’s holiday spirit on various web graphics and posters. I also do birthday parties.
Last book you loved:
Fifty Shades of Grey. I have to admit I picked this up expecting a book on winter cloud formations on Karakoram, but the erotic frisson between Anastasia and Christian kept me warm through subzero nights!
Where are you originally from?
Nepal.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Honestly, employment options are limited for yetis. What with needing to stay hidden and the widespread fear of our physical and psychic powers, it’s hard for yetis to venture off of the “leave footprints for hikers” career path...
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Lists
by Powell's Staff, December 5, 2018 9:32 AM
For so many reasons, 2018 had us running to the sci-fi and fantasy sections of our stores (or perversely seeking horror). From hog-riding orcs to bloodthirsty pretty girls, here are our 2018 obsessions.
My Sister, the Serial Killer
by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Korede is her sister's keeper. Managing beautiful, impulsive Ayoola would try anyone's patience, but recently she's started ending her relationships in a more permanent manner — and it's up to dutiful Korede to dispose of the bodies. Is there any emotion as subtly suggestive of violence as jealousy? It's a closely held hatred turned inward and its sufferers burn and seethe with it. Korede certainly does...
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Lists
by Powell's Staff, December 5, 2018 8:14 AM
It’s one of our favorite times of the year! When we get to shout about some of our very favorite kids’ books of the past 12 months. It was super hard to narrow it down, but here are some of our most beloved titles.
FOR YOUNGER KIDS:
Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse
by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
Chloe struggles to understand her classmate, Adrian Simcox — he's relentless, messy, and lies. In Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse, Marcy Campbell eloquently introduces complex themes of class and poverty to children in a tangible way. What Chloe learns is that there is real beauty in Adrian's imagination...
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Lists
by Joe Biel, December 4, 2018 9:26 AM
Photo credit: Rebecca Bolte
As the founder of Microcosm Publishing, which I’ve owned for the past 23 years, my greatest joys have been explaining and debunking industry myths to devout readers. I frequently meet people in public or on a cross-country train whose idea of the book industry is broken and backwards. My favorite encounter was when I told two New Yorkers that I am a book publisher and they immediately responded with, “I’m so sorry.” To which I could only say, “Why? We just finished our best year ever.” I could see how after a year of only reading New York Times op-eds you’d be left with the impression that our industry is tanking off the rails. And to be sure, publishing is changing. But not in the ways that you might think...
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Portrait of a Bookseller
by Powell's Books, December 3, 2018 12:01 PM
How would you describe your job to someone you just met?
I spend my day around books. For the shelves, I curate stock, create art, and prevent chaos; and I act as matchmaker between pages and patrons.
Last book you loved:
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. Some writing seems to capture feeling and thought so earnestly it ceases to be a culmination of parts, becoming some kind of experiential gestalt. Her stories do that; each was like a forest fire that ripped through the old growth, charring what's exposed and clearing space for something new.
Where are you originally from?
I'm a Portland native. I've been told that makes me some kind of mythical creature, like a unicorn (or maybe Bigfoot). Really, what it means is ...
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Lists
by Powell's Staff, November 30, 2018 9:54 AM
When it comes to recommending books as gifts, we like to know as much as possible about the gift recipient. Are they really into sci-fi, or maybe political podcasts? Is their Spotify account all musicals all the time, or do they eschew music for quiet walks in the woods or settling down with an engrossing novel? The perfect gift book isn't the award-winning critic's darling (unless, of course, it is) — it's the one that matches your loved one's silliness, seriousness, humor, and wit; the most perfect of gift books says, I know you. I know who you are, and what you love, and of the millions of books in the world, I have found the one written just for you...
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