Around Indies

Powell’s Throws Block Party

Powell's Books kicked off its 41st anniversary celebration with a block party on Saturday, August 25. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., the seven-hour event spanned two blocks and included live music, food and drinks provided by local eateries, books, games, and prizes.

Admission to the party was free, and all proceeds benefited Portland's Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals create independently published media and artwork.

Special guests included authors Chuck Palahniuk, Chelsea Cain, and Lidia Yuknavitch. Music was provided by, among others, Little Kids' Jamboree, Tallulah's Daddy, The Jenny Finn Orchestra, Mo Phillips, Miller & Sasser, and Wild Bells, along with special performances by Mortified PDX.

New Owners for Moby Dickens

Susan Bachrach, who founded Moby Dickens Bookshop in Taos, New Mexico, with her late husband, Art, has sold the bookstore to Jay and Carolyn Moore, Taos News reported.

The Bachrachs ran the store together for almost 30 years, and it brought them more joy than you can imagine, Susan said. When Art died in late 2011, she put the bookstore up for sale, because it “wasn’t any fun without him.”

Jay and Carolyn Moore moved to New Mexico from Dallas in search of a job or investment opportunity. Though the Moores plan to update parts of the store’s current business model, Jay Moore said most of Moby Dickens will stay the same, and they will rely on excellent customer service to remain competitive.

“We really want to respect what Art and Susan have done here,” Jay said. “It’s not just a bookstore. It’s an icon in Taos.”