Borders Books and Music, San Antonio

Unlike many large chain bookstores, Borders at the Quarry is a comfortable and charming bookshop. Not only does it hold an enormous selection of books and music, but it also has a cafe that serves coffees, teas, pastries and sandwiches. It isn't unusual to walk in during a book reading, a discussion group or an informal concert. The multi-story building is filled with windows and has an airy feeling that makes casual conversations and relaxed browsing enjoyable. The sheer number of titles is overwhelming, but the store doesn't feel crowded thanks to the innovative layout. It carries many hard-to-find magazines and has a large genre section comprising science fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance books.