I visited an ex-girlfriend in Portland and Powell's was one of the coolest bookstores I've ever been to. I ended up almost going over my 25kg checked baggage limit on the way home due to the twelve books I bought on my last day. I second the recommendation! I just started Italo Calvino's If On a Winter's Night a Traveller. The most enjoyable first paragraph I've read in a while.You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino's new novel, If On a Winter's Night a Traveller. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room. Tell the others right away, "No, I don't want to watch TV!" Raise your voice - they won't hear you otherwise - "I'm reading! I don't want to be disturbed!" Maybe they haven't heard you, with all that racket; speak louder, yell: "I'm beginning to read Italo Calvino's new novel!" Or if you prefer, don't say anything; just hope they'll leave you alone.