When I was in Portland I visited Powell's bookstore, the hugest bookstore I have ever been to. It was not too busy, so it didn't really feel overwhelming. I'm an avid science fiction fan, and they had half a room of science fiction/fantasy books!! The most I've ever seen in one place, I think! And the best part was that they had a lot of used books, so I bought my paperbacks for about $3.50 each, as opposed to seven or eight dollars I usually pay for a new book.

The selection was amazing. While many stores have a single section of religion books, Powell's had separate rows for Christianity, Judaism, Eastern Religions, Astrology, and others.

And there was a coffee shop too.

So what's the best bookstore you've been to?

In the Southern Highlands of NSW, there is a small historic village called Berrima. It is renowned for its antique stores and cafes and contains one of the oldest pubs in Australia, Surveyor General Inn.
Just on the outskirts of this little village set almost on a farm is a huge two storey barn called Berkelouw's Book Barn.
It is filled with Antiquarian and out-of-print books.
In winter they have an open fire burning around which you can sit and sample some of their books over a cappuccino. It is a magical place.
Last time we were there we picked up a beautiful leather-bound boxed set of literary classics printed around 1900.

That sounds so lovely auschic!

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To see the world in a grain of sand,
and heaven in a wildflower;
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour.
--William Blake