Barnes & Noble has some of the nicest bookstores you will find anywhere. In just about every city in the US, you can find one of their well appointed stores filled with just about anything and everything the discerning reader is looking for.

One of the nicest things about B&N is that just every one of their stores is set up almost exactly the same as all the others. So, when I am in Chicago or Charlotte, Philadelphia or Phoenix, the Star Wars books are in the same place - the cookbooks are on the same aisle, and I can always find the mysteries by Tony Hillerman becuase they are just where they are supposed to be.

B&N has a easy to navigate web site, and offers as wide a selection of books as anyone else on the net. They do have a used books service as well as a pretty good "out of print" service for those hard to find selections. They also offer a nice discount on some items if you can pick them up "in store" rather than having things shipped.

In addition, they have a "Readers Advantage" card/membership. It costs $25.00 a year, but with the card, you get 10% off everything you buy in the store no matter what or when. Considering the number of books I buy and the $$ I spend each year, it is a heck of a deal. I got my membership card in December and I have already saved more than the price I paid for it. And this week, I got a special mailing from them - In April I get an additional 10% off any music purchase (Aha! - 20% off the soundtrack from LOTR-The Two Towers; A free cappuccino in May; an additional 10% off a "Bestseller" in June. Now that is worth a trip to the bookstore once a month.

Oh yeah - want to know the very best thing about Barnes & Noble? They have a STARBUCKS coffee store in every single B&N I have ever visited. As a caffine achiever, I can't live without my Venti Latte'. What more could you ask for - a great selection of books, music, videos, dvd's, games, graphic novels, coffee, chocolates (you didn't know they sold Godiva' chocolates, did ya??) and comfy chairs in corners where you can sit and browse and they don't hassle.

So, visit their web site, or a store nearest you. Either way, for the reader/listener/watcher, Barnes & Noble has it all!