I love bookstores in all their forms.
Yes, even the corporate chains.
But there’s something special about independent bookstores. The people, the lighting, the smells – it just makes my little literary heart super happy.
So I’m restarting Bookstore Pledge Series, highlighting independent bookstores all over the country! 
First up: Powell’s Bookstore!
THE STORE: Powell’s Books is an independent bookseller serving Portland, Oregon, since 1971. We’ve grown to employ over 530 people across five Portland-area stores and Powells.com, and our book inventory exceeds two million volumes. In spite of our substantial size and reach, we remain grounded by our company’s core values, which have guided us through the ups and downs of the bookselling industry. Each and every employee’s love of books drives us forward.
We have an especially intimate relationship with Portland — what other city in America can name a bookstore as its top attraction? We host over 500 author events a year, in addition to children’s story times, writing workshops, game demonstrations, and book clubs. Through Powells.com and our expansive online community, we also reach readers around the world, people who are as excited about books as we are.
We look forward to a future filled with many new opportunities, new innovations, and, of course, new books!
I got lost in Powell’s.
Literally.
Lost amongst tales of my favorite authors, lost amongst bookshelves that spanned several floors and reached the heights of ceilings. Lost amongst the different rooms and different genres. Lost in the new discoveries I had made, and the funny little comment cards from the staff, and displays that just made my heart happy.
Powell’s Books Flagship store is located at 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209. If you find yourself in Portland, I couldn’t recommend it enough.