Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Solid Barnes and Noble. Huge discount section, attached Starbucks, good location in the shopping center with lots of parking. This would give it a solid 3 stars with the seating, but it gets an extra star for the huge events area (which sort of looks like they wanted to add another section of store, but then didn’t, so now there’s this awkward area. Which turned out awesome). I haven’t gone to an event, but I like the area for the dozen or so tables with lots of chairs and outlets. There’s often people studying or tutoring here. It’s like a coffeeshop without the blenders whirring and slightly quieter, slightly less hip background music.

What can I say, it’s a book store. Starbucks is attached which is nice. Lots space to read.

It is a book store but that does not mean it is quiet. All of the world’s problems are being discussed here, in hushed, caucasian tones. I have learned a lot from the eavesdropping at this particular Barnes and Noble.
«In the early 80’s we paid 1.6 million for 160 acres and sold it for 21 million cash. If you think it is bad now you ain’t seen nothing until you’ve seen the banks fail. I would just go to my office and sit and spin for hours… that was in ’84.» — Q-​tip with cane, wearing ironed well-​worn jeans spreading his wisdom to a group of men who seem to meet every morning and have coffee together.
If you want quiet, go to the large study area in the back left of store where you will find 9 tables, 36 chairs and some kind of local art show that usually includes colorful animals, a couple sunsets, and bird portraits.
«No, I am not going to.» Woman, late 20s.
«You HAVE to!» Woman, mid 30s.
«No, I ummm, I can’t.» Woman, late 20s.
«But you have to…» Woman, mid 30s.
I am working on a book, written in a bookstore, of all of the things that I have eavesdropped in the public privacy of conversations in the architectural books section and the bookstore seating for Starbucks. These are my favorite places to listen in, and I can do it easily while I am searching for a book or drinking an espresso.
Mind you, I don’t COME here to listen in, I come here to buy books or look at books. Before I decided to write a book of all things overheard here, I would think, PEOPLE, GET A ROOM! Go to a therapist! You did NOT just say that in a public space about your soon-​to-​be ex-​husband!
If I weren’t getting my doctorate in eavesdropping, I would likely be completely offended by what is coming out of people’s mouths here. In my life, however, there is a fine line between offended and entertained.
Entertainment trumps offense, any day. I AM WRITING A BOOK, PEOPLE! So if you do not want your private parts, so to speak, to end up as a chapter in my BOOK, then stop talking!
«It’s like my sponsor always says, if you have a drunken horsethief, when they sober up… you’ve still got a horsethief.» — two 50 year old women therapizing/​counseling over a recent break up with a drunken horsethief.

Great selection, and it is nice to have the Starbuck’s in the store. I love going there with my 10 year old daughter and we always come out of there with good books. They also help me find things, and special order what they don’t have in stock. I guess I could do all of that online, but it’s more fun for a daddy-​daughter date to do it in person.

I would shop at this bookstore before bookpeople anyday. I dont usually go for the larger corporate chain bookstores when I have such great find places like St Vincent de Paul, and Half Price Books…
But I love the variety they have… the decent prices, and the fact that the books that they feature in the aisles and endcaps seem so bright and pop out at you. I end up with a stack of books, and a credit card that feels like it can’t purge anymore…
Oh and I like the fact that people can go here and sit and read or study in groups and no one bothers you about buying the book and not «testing it out.» They give you comfy couches to relax in and a starbucks to sip on while picking out your selections.

This is a great B&N. Lot of cushy chairs to read in, an attached Starbucks, and last but not least, a great events area that attracts all kinds of cool authors and fun events.
And I’m not just saying that because my mom works here. :)