Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing — Attraction in Beaverton

Chuck Palahniuk was a sweetheart.

I went to see author Amanda Knox speak at Powell’s in Cedar Hill’s and Chuck conducted the interview. (Knox was wrongfully convicted of murder in Italy and spent four years incarcerated and has just released her second book.)

Afterwards was autograph time, which I almost never take interest in, but I consider Chuck one of my favorite authors, and the Fourteen Year Old was with me, so I asked her if she wanted to get Fight Club signed as I had been recommending it to her beforehand.

She normally doesn’t care about those sort of things but she surprisingly decided to get an autograph.

We went to the section where his books were, and of course multiple people were also grabbing books of his to get signed.

Chuck was very soft spoken and kind. I had been doing carpentry work all day and was dusty and gross.

When I walked up he reached out his had to shake mine, but my hand still was stained with Quad (a very strong sealant that is often hard to clean off) and grime and all, and so I apologized, and said I was covered in dirt etc., and held my hand back so he wouldn’t feel the need to shake it.

Chuck didn’t hesitate, shook my hand anyway, and stated, “but it’s good dirt right?” He wasn’t wrong.

While in line, before meeting him, an employee came up to everyone getting their book signed, and with a sticky note wrote the person’s name and stuck it to the book, so as to save Chuck time.

I was getting the book for my daughter and so the sticky note said “Maxine.” He asked me why I was dirty but I didn’t hear him the first time. Maybe because he’s so soft spoken, or maybe because I’m getting older and losing my hearing, or a combination of both.

He then signed the book and also wrote: “I am Maxine’s dirty book!” Which I didn’t realize until afterward. Maybe he thought I was Maxine? (It’s Portland (or nearby) so not that wouldn’t be unusual.)

Though I didn’t see exactly what he wrote until afterwards, I noticed that his penmanship was fantastic, and told him that. He shrugged and said he had had a lot of practice.

With all of the other folks getting their pictures taken Chuck was putting his arms around them as if they were old friends. When it was picture time for us I let him know he doesn’t have to touch me as I’m all grubby, so instead of just putting one arm around me, he put both arms and leaned on me.

It was good...

First I must say that I have loved Powells since before I moved here over 24 years ago. In fact it was one of the deciding factors for choosing Portland. That said, I have to say I am extremely disappointed in Powells. I usually go to the Cedar Hills location because I don’t like downtown. I haven’t been able to go for months and was so looking forward to browsing in one of my favorite places up here. I browse through some mysteries. Then I see a Cozy mystery display and I think - Eureka. But I ended up having to take pictures and make a quick departure because there were scented candles as part of the display and other scented products on other nearby display shelves/tables. I have chemical sensitive allergies and any fragrance or scent causes debilitating migraines. I had already found some greeting cards so I paid for them, filled out a comment card about my displeasure and left. The staff might think that adding candles to a display is cute and trendy. That may be, but it also toxic to many. I am sad and furious because I won’t be able to patronize my favorite bookstore now because of this. Every time I visit, I do purchase items just so you know. I have never had this problem at this location before. Please reconsider having scented products in your displays because I am NOT the only one who has such sensitivities. There is a reason most companies now offer “free and clear” products and it’s becoming more and more common. I hope that this can be rectified so I may once...

I have gone to Powell's Burnside my whole life and was so pleased when Cedar Hills opened. An avid reader, Powell's has always been a special place to me. That remains true to this day.

Stopped in while running errands to pick up a book I have been reading on Libby but really wanted the intended page breaks as well as having it available to read again and again. Someone else was in the poetry aisle and proceeded to ask me out, among various other questions but wouldn't accept no or direct disinterest. I don't know if it was because I was speaking loudly my disinterest and they heard me or divine intervention, but an employee appeared and remained in the aisle and I was able to get assistance from them and then leave with the book I wanted. So to that person (wearing a black mask, helped me find Inward by Yung Pueblo around 2:40pm on Labor day 2025) - whether you heard me from the other aisle or just felt like you needed to be in that aisle, I appreciate your presence and assistance! Honestly, those instincts to remain in the aisle with me was a solidarity and blessing and I hope the world repays you in kindness. If the other person from the aisle sees this - it is fine to shoot your shot (and an attempt at a meet-cute in the poetry section of Powell's) but no is a full sentence. Join a club, volunteer somewhere, don't...