The only reason I'm giving more than one star is because of one shining employee who rose above the rest. I came in to browse and find something for summer reading but was dismayed by the usual displays of books labeled as beach reads and the same stuff found on the first page of any reading list for the summer.
I wandered about searching for an "employee recommendations" display, a typical fixture in most book stores, but found none.
I inquired the help desk regarding a recommendation because nothing had caught my eye and got the longest blank stare followed by stutters.
So I asked, "Well what are you reading now?"
Blank stare.
"Okay... Have you come across anything good lately?"
Blank stare.
"Nevermind."
I turned and went to exit the store, grumbling about how Barnes & Noble was the only book store to hire employees who do not read or cannot fake review a book (a skill acquired by readers and nonreaders alike during high school lit classes). A shorter woman came rushing up to me apologizing that she heard my exchange but could not come save me in time and pointed out three titles she read recently and urging me to read one of them, giving several convincing reasons of its worth.
If I could remember her name I would call and tell the manager to give her a raise. She was that kind, helpful, and well-read.
This Barnes & Noble is a book store for coffee drinkers, with a larger music and movie section than books. The employees are rarely helpful (based upon experience of past five years) and make me long for the days of Borders.