"Portrait of a Bookseller," a regular series on the blog at Powell's Books, Portland, Ore., showcased Brenda Y., the store's resident yeti and holiday mascot. Among our favorite exchanges from the q&a:
Why do you think bookstores remain so popular in the digital age?
If I've learned anything from the hordes of thrill-seekers in the Himalayas, it's that humans crave a connection with the elemental. An e-book or a digital marketplace just can't replicate the tickly brush of paper against dry fingertips, or the sweet, musty smell of an old book, or the deep comfort of talking books with a person who can't swipe left and pretend you never happened.
Share your favorite customer quote.
"Look Mommy, a cat!" Seriously, has that kid ever seen a cat?
Do you have any odd reading habits or book rituals?
I don't know why this is, but I have a compulsion to bury my books after reading them.