Barnes & Noble Booksellers

While I enjoy Barnes and Noble because it is a quiet escape to an alternate reality, I can only give this location 4 stars. Service and in-​stocks has always been good, but I struggle because there is a lack of outlets for people like me that are either toting a laptop for studying or working. With the ample amount of tables and chairs, plus a decent café, it seems as if they encourage the use of laptops and electrical devices. My time at B&N is always limited because there are not enough outlets in practical places for me (with a laptop) to linger for a while. This location is perfect for leisure, sans laptop, unless you happen to score a coveted outlet.

I love B&N! But the kid area IS a little much. I understand that kids need to read and it’s important and blah blah blah. but it needs to be at a decent «inside voices» noise level. The starbucks inside has the WORST drinks so I stay away from that. If you want Starbucks, you’re better off going to a free standing one or one in the mall. Every time I’ve had a drink here, it separates in the cup within seconds and tastes. eh. The books offered here are great. The selection is wide from self-​help to fiction, non-​fiction, Science, childrens, and they have a music section which is great! They have probably the largest magazine section I’ve ever seen. I used to come here, and you could never find a seat. People would be sitting on the floor to read. It was so busy with reading enthusiasts and now lately it’s dwindled down to a laptop office space and a kid zone. (Kill the laptops please. Should NOT be allowed in the bookstore. It’s a distraction to us who are actually there to read and find books.)

This store used to be awesome.
I don’t know which I spent more of there — time or money.
However, last year they decided to add a toy store and childrens’ play area to the middle of the store.
We’re not talking about the childrens’ book section here, that is in a totally different place in the store.
This is a toy store/​play area in the middle of what is supposed to be a BOOK store.
The noise is unreal and it is obvious that they had to remove quite a few books to be able to fit in this ridiculous addition.
I don’t have anything against kids in stores, it just seems to me that a book store should be about reading and the quiet to do so.
Shouldn’t the children visiting the store be reading, as well?
I tried to frequent this store as much as possible because I felt it was important to have an actual bricks and mortar bookstore in the area, even though 9 times out of 10,
had better prices and better selection.
Unfortunately, after visiting the store twice since the addition of the play area, I am DONE.
The last time I went home and spent $ 90. on Amazon.
I am sure when this store goes out of business, they will say it was because the people in the area just don’t read or they will place the blame on the Internet.
Sad.

Simply the best all around bookstore in Melbourne. And it’s got a Starbuck’s café! No surprises, just what you’d expect.

Not a great classics or math section, though thoroughly stocked with modern best-​seller crap. To be expected, but still boring to me. I like the Starbucks inside, but their blender sounds like a lawn mower, makes it a little difficult to read and talk. For all my bitching, though, I wish there were a B&N in Sebastian…