The very reason why even I'll miss big bookstores is because of their nonchalance towards what they're selling. You can stay in the store for hours, look at any

The very reason why even I'll miss big bookstores is because of their nonchalance towards what they're selling. You can stay in the store for hours, look at anything, bring a book to the cafe or any number of seats in the corner and read, etc. I give tons of business to small booksellers but when I'm not looking for specialty subjects I like the non-atmosphere. And when Borders was around, their coupons made Amazon the best back-up. Over the years, both Borders and B&N selection has gotten worse and worse, but B&N @ Union Square currently has the best architecture section in the city (Rizzoli could be argued first, but its selection is at times over-curated and certainly saves no pennies).