In a comparison of their stores on the Third Street Promenade, there's no question that Barnes & Noble tops Borders in the sheer number of books shelved. But I'm not sure that bibliophiles, who can be persnickety, will always choose quantity. Borders, I find, is a a bit more comfortable place to lounge while you do your browsing. Because it's less trafficked -- not good news for its corporate owners -- Border's is easier to find a place to sit and read than B & N. But I also think the Borders staff is more book-minded and eager to help you in your quests. Both stores have computers that can pinpoint the location of what you want (if it's shelved). Any book lover will also want to indulge his/her passion at two close-by stores -- Arcana http://www.arcanabooks.com , just down the block from Barnes & Noble, which has a treasure trove of art books (using that phrase expansively), and, just down Wilshire Boulevard toward Ocean Avenue, the legendary Hennessy + Ingalls storehouse of books on art, architecture and photography http://www.hennesseyingalls.com/hennessey/about.asp?s_id=0& . H + I's window displays of featured architects, etc., are worth a visit all by themselves.
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