For the April edition of “Story Time for Grownups,” host David Loftus will read essays that celebrate our furry best friend. More than a century ago, Jack London debated the current scientific wisdom that reason separates humans from animals—with a detailed description of his boyhood companion’s thinking powers. Roger Ebert’s memoir, Life Itself, includes a delightful analysis of how dogs differ from cats. Other authors will be featured.

At this combination taproom and used bookstore, you may order a pint of beer, a pot of tea, soup, sandwich, or cookies and enjoy the old-fashioned pleasure of listening to someone read aloud. Browse the shelves for a book you might like to take home. No cover, but proof of vaccination required for service.

David Loftus has read aloud to listeners in libraries, coffee shops, Powell’s Books, Borders, and branches of Umpqua Bank, on the streets of Portland, and for recordings for the blind. He has voiced Gandalf, Bilbo, and Gollum live with the Willamette Radio Workshop, and Sherlock Holmes on KBOO. David portrays characters for the sci-fi podcasts “Exoplanetary” and “253Mathilde / QuietPlease.” He also writes about books, films, acting, karaoke, travel, his forebears, and politics on his Patreon page.