The 15 Best Spots in Barnes & Noble, Ranked

Everyone has their go-to spots when they wander into the bookstore. But depending on your mood, and the needs of your inner bookworm, there’s more than one way to enjoy yourself in Barnes & Noble. This is where you’ll find me.
15. Business
If you read a book in this section, you can expense everything you buy that day, right? Just head straight over to Business and find out what the next Good to Great is so you can count this as a productive venture.
14. Self Improvement
Doesn’t that have a nicer ring to it than “Self Help?” Whatever it’s called, there are some major gems to be found here. Brené Brown’s new Rising Strong and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic are at the top of my list.
13. Graphic Novels
Yes, there are color tablets, but graphic novels are so fun to look at in the store. See the latest art styles. Travel to weird worlds. And take home something you can gobble up in a single sitting.
12. Staff Recommendations
I love getting to know my local B&N staff. These are my people. And the shelf with their handwritten recommendations are where the quirky but so-worth-it books hang out. This is where I discover the books I never knew I needed.
11. The Doorway
Pulling the door open; your feet bounce inside. You’re at Barnes & Noble. Where else would you rather be? Smelling the books, taking long glances at the magazine racks, knowing you have time to browse in a section you barely ever check out…there’s nothing better in the world.
10. The Windowsill
If you’re an introvert and want to avoid the energy that is required to be gazed upon while you read in a big comfy chair, you might want to try sitting on the wide windowsills. It’s easier to go undercover there and enjoy your finds.
9. A Big Chair
If you’re not as shy, grab one of the best seats in the house and get comfy. I usually have a big stack of books to look through and a tea to keep me hydrated. This is where I imagine “What would it be like to read this book?” and also forget about things like emails, to-do lists, and making dinner.
8. The Children’s Section
Sure there’s the nostalgia factor, but that won’t last long when you’re blown away by the gorgeous art that shines out from the books on these shelves. This is where the magic is. If you don’t catch yourself saying “Why didn’t they have this book when I was a kid?” you might be dead inside.
7. Science Fiction
This is the section my husband heads to as soon as we get to the store, and it always warms my heart to see his head cocked, looking for his favorites and debating which new sci-fi might be as good as the classic titles he read growing up.
6. The Bathroom
If you’re a serious bookworm, you need to pace yourself. Take breaks. Get a snack. Drink some tea. Visit the bathroom. It’s the only way to get in a full afternoon of shopping.
5. In Line
I know this one isn’t an obvious place to feel warm and fuzzy, but think about it. You’re on your way home with some books that could change your life. And you can scope out what everyone else is reading. It’s like the pleasure we all get looking in someone else’s cart at the market and judging whether they have too many carbs and not enough veggies. Book snobs, unite!
4. YA
Do kids really talk in emojis now? Are they as brutal as Hunger Games contestants? If you don’t live with a teenager, the only way to know the state of our youth is to eavesdrop in the YA section. You’re guaranteed to hear something juicy.
3. Cookbooks
These books are so lush, they’ll inspire you to stop drooling and go home and make yourself a proper meal. This is a good section to browse on your way out of the store. Brining home a juicy (or virtuous) cookbook can ease the transition from bookstore to home.
2. Magazines
Gretchen Rubin of Better Than Before encourages people to read magazines that have nothing to do with the rest of their lives. So if you’re a chef, check out a magazine about horses. If you just had a baby, read about international politics or photography. Exploring something new can inspire great ideas. And if you need ideas about how to get back to your pre-baby weight, they’ve definitely got that covered too.
1. The New Tables
Here’s where all the latest and greatest books land when they are unpacked. When I was a bookseller, I loved making displays on these tables; arranging the books in formations and themes that would attract attention. Now I love seeing what’s new and adding 1,791 more books to my To Be Read list.
What’s your favorite spot in B&N?