Whenever I take a few days off I like to stop in my favorite book store and grab a little something to enjoy on my travels. Recently, with a little down time coming up, I stopped in at Third Place Books in Ravenna for a couple of reasons. It was near noon and Third Place shares space with Vios Cafe. In addition to that the Pub at Third Place occupies the lower level. One can find a variety of craft brews on tap there as well as some neighborhood camaraderie, but since it was only noon, on a work day I opted for a seat in the cafe upstairs.

Soup was all I needed to take the chill off and the soup du jour was an amazing eggplant, potato, cauliflower blend that was completely satisfactory. Next, it was on to make a book selection. But first, you might be wondering about the name "Third Place" and how it came to be. From their website, here's the story.

Sociologist Ray Oldenberg suggests that each of us needs three places: first is the home; second is the workplace or school; and beyond lies the place where people from all walks of life interact, experiencing and celebrating their commonality as well as their diversity. It is a third place. In his celebrated book, The Great Good Place, Oldenberg discusses how the cafes, pubs, town squares and other gathering places make a community stronger and bring people together. 

Ron Sher, a Seattle area developer, applied the idea to the renovation of a shopping center in Lake Forest Park. That building supports a large open commons area adjacent to the book store and includes a food court. People meet there at all times when the center is open. He saw another opportunity in the Ravenna neighborhood and converted a former Puget Consumer Coop grocery store into the 3 entities mentioned above.

I did spot the Best American Short Stories for 2010. This is a series I buy every year and it is great for vacations as you won't  for your whole vacation by some page turner.  But since I've just started the Active Rain Book Club Group, I thought to pick up something I might report on in December. I found what  looks to be promising, but I'll know more about that when I return. Speaking of the book club, my first report was on Trust Agents as I am finished with that I'd like to pass it on. So the first person to ask for it may have it. Just send me your mailing address in an email and I'll get it off to you when I return from this trip.