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Borders - CLOSED
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Food Coffee & Tea Books, Mags, Music and Video, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
32111 Union Landing BlvdUnion City, CA 94587
(510) 324-4005
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for Borders
Review Highlights
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"Disclaimer: I work for Seattle's Best Coffee Cafe at this..." In 5 reviews -
"This bookstore/cafe is awesome." In 13 reviews -
"i love walking in here and browsing the books or magazines." In 16 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Stephanie W.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/15/2009
It was a Monday Night...the Raiders were up, I figure I could run out to get a Moleskine agenda. I knew that Borders carried them because I had seen them there before. Now, I don't usually go to the Union City one just because I don't like to deal with all the people trying to eat dinner or catch a movie, but I figure it was late.
I arrived at Borders, and everything was re arranged, or at least rearranged compared to when I used to come to the Landing to watch movies and wait for my dad to pick me up from Borders after the movie. So I had no idea where the Moleskines, so I asked the lady at the register where I could find them, and she directed me right to where they were, and even gave me other ideas as well. It was good service.
If you haven't already, you should also take advantage of their Borders Rewards program. I forgot my card at home, and the lady was patient enough to look me up a couple of times in the system (I didn't know which e-mail address I used), and scanned me a 25% off coupon. GET ON IT! -
Review from kat a.
Fremont, CA
1/6/2009
I am here 5 days a week and I am not on their payroll. There is definitely something wrong with this picture. Well, actually, it's because I have a really awkward gap in my work schedule and if I am too lazy to go to the gym, I stop by this Borders to kill time. Yes, I am one of those freeloading customers that doesn't really buy anything but hangs around taking up space in the cafe. There's actually enough of us there to start a Borders Mooching Club... if you want to join, just bring a used GMAT, LSAT, GRE, or CBEST book and pretend to cram and nobody will bother you. But if you want to use your laptop, well, then you can't be a part of the club because WiFi is not free here, so you would be a paying T-Mobile HotSpot customer. Boo for you.
Like most chain bookstores, this Borders is situated in a pretty convenient location with plenty of parking during the day. The store is always well stocked and I've had a pleasant experience with the staff every time. The major downfall for this location is that its cafe has too much sunlight coming in. Seriously, as the sun starts creeping in through the huge windows, the patrons in the cafe start sliding farther and farther back. There's no way you can read, stare at a computer screen or even close your eyes for a nap with that much light coming in. What ends up happening is that there are about 6+ empty tables just soaking up the rays while you end up sitting on the floor next to the messy magazine rack.
Another complaint that I have of this place is that there aren't enough plugs for laptop users. There are only 2 outlets in the cafe so if you're not next to the wall then you just wasted your time driving there, because more than likely, the guy hogging the plugs is planning on staying until closing. Lastly, this Borders bites because they shortened their hours from midnight to 11pm. -
Review from Sue Ann D.
Sacramento, CA
11/30/2008
Although I agree with the other yelpers regarding this location, yes, it's pretty damn ghetto, I have to give it five stars just for the cool ass guy that helped me and my husband on a very late Black Friday nite; I've never had an employee at any Border's do the following to me.......
Me: Hey how you doing?
Salesperson: I'm good! Tired as hell, but I'm good....I'm gonna be here till 1am tonite!
Me: Yikes, sounds like you need some sleep....or Starbuck's!
Salesperson: Yeah seriously (with a laugh). Do u have your Borders rewards card with you by the way?
Me: No, and I don't know the telephone number either
Salesperson: Oooh really? Hmmm...ahh F#@! it, i'll give u the 35% off anyways!
Me: Oh thanks so much, that's really nice of you.
Salesperson, No worries, have a good nite! :)
Now that's service! -
Review from anthony m.
Union City, CA
3/31/2008
this place use to be tight, but then they went straight skater haterade status, for a while they took out all the places to sit in the book area. reduced their selection of skate magazines. AND they fired all my friends that would hook everyone up with iced teas and fraps. all these new peopple who work there have no social skills what so ever. you say wussup they say "soo.. you gonna buy something". but then again this place is a chain bookstore so you. they dont have wifi or any connections. they have seattles best coffee, but this is the bay area not seattle so that means nothing. i hate this place. not that i actually read books so this review might mean nothing. actually the books that you need for school they dont have here, so its also wack.
this place is mroe of those places you just go in and get the shit you want and leave. you cant even just read the magazines without buying them because theres like no where to sit anymore unless your in the cafe area with like a billion people pretending to study. -
Review from Andrew L.
Union City, CA
12/3/2007
Disclaimer: I work for Seattle's Best Coffee Cafe at this Borders
This Borders isn't the best Borders i've been too, but then again it isn't the worst. The magazine section isn't as bad as it used to be, but the automobile section is still fubar (i'm not interested in cars, but it's kind of annoying to see scattered mags) The CD selection isn't really that good, and the inventory to in-store check on their computers aren't that helpful. One time i was looking for the DVD box set of It's Always Sunny... and all it said was "Likely In Store". GREAT! Two of my co-workers helped look for it with no luck finding it.
The Paperchase section is usually pretty neat and is always filled with the most equally lame and awesome products that i would never buy. A Virgin Mary coin bank? A Jesus Christ action figure? A Cat-a-pult? A glittery Reindeer wearing a feather boa? A black mini Christmas tree? All things i wouldn't mind having if i didn't have to pay for it.
Lastly, the Cafe. Seating arrangement is usually fine in the morning, but by the time lunch comes around, it will all be scattered to a point where walking can be a bit puzzling. Tables will be moved, empty cups will be left, and books and magazines will lay in rest of the little lark the hands carry them through (as a worker, this can be quite annoying. Please bring your stuff back to the book store at least.) Unless it's morning, i usually have a problem with dirty tables and really can't be comfortable. Other than that it's a pretty cool hang out. -
Review from Michael H.
Hayward, CA
3/29/2008
This place always tends to carry what I'm looking for. It's not a super huge borders, but it's like one of those mid-sized ones.
It always seems like they're rearranging the place. Whether it be their CDs, books, or magazines. I suppose it's for the better.
They have really expanded their mange/anime/comic book area. After school you'll find a lot of teenagers sitting along the shelf reading.
Connected to the bookstore is a cafe with a good amount of seating. Within the bookstore there isn't a lot of seating. Maybe only three seats, but this is a bookstore not a library.
Sometimes the lines can get ridiculously long because of a lack of employees. The employees are overall nice and helpful.
Don't expect easy parking on weekend nights because of movie showings.
The men's bathroom is super tagged up with graffiti. Plus there isn't any soap in the dispenser. How the heck are the employees supposed to wash their hands?
General organization is kept up. -
Review from Ann L.
1/24/2006
love all Borders. CDs, books, all good. Nice place for coffee and reading magazines/books at.
Updated 4/6/07:
now if u need to use the bathrooms you have to get a token from the cashier. That's so lame. Separate men & women. Women had 3 stalls & 2 sinks.
They have a Border's card u can get FREE..on email they send you links to coupons that are useful. I got a 30% for one book over $10 which was nice.
They take credit cards. -
Review from Christina Y.
Union City, CA
Updated - 2/7/2009
This Borders holds good memories for my boyfriend and I.. x3
In the beginning of our relationship, we would meet here before our dates. hehe
"Meet me in the magazines"
We're so lame x3Listed in: in the city where i live
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/24/2006
Love their bargain books; especially the cookbooks. :)
CD's can be overpriced, but at least you can… Read more »
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Review from Elle A.
Murrieta, CA
3/8/2009
LMFAO@ Union City and Fremont's idea of "ghetto". Please enlighten me, inquiring minds would like to know.
Next time you are at Borders, why don't you pick up a dictionary.
A ghetto is described as a "portion of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."
Ok, now for the review part of the review (HUH?)
Megan K. -"[R]eally, who buys from here?"
I do. And I always leave happy as a clam (can clams express emotions? I dunno). Independent stores are groovy and all, but I prefer the convenience of being able to look the titles up online and then picking them up without a hassle. Welcome to 2009.
Jillian R. -"But why do you have to change your store hours and make it that you close at 11pm instead of 12am?? where will we go when everywhere else is closed?
How about home? Who the fuck actually hangs out at Borders?
Despite some of the reviews written by idiots who do not know what a review is supposed to consist of (takes a deep breath in), I give this location 4 stars because it is clean, always has what I need, and the employees are friendly and helpful. The Palo Alto store is a closet compared to this one.
Lastly, it is apparent that some of you expect someone to kiss your ass or hook you up with something for free in order to give this place a great review. Here are some seeds, go grow some balls. -
Review from Jane D.
9/2/2006
This place usually carries all the books that I am looking for. Parking can be a bit of a hassle on nights where their are alot of movie goers.
On Wednesdays they have story time for kids. They used to serve milk and cookies to the little kiddies. I am not sure if they do that any more. -
Review from Athens r.
Union City, CA
5/10/2008
Next big thing after Barnes and Nobles. Thats if you love books like me..
hahaha. It was one of those days when I thought Borders was a place for linens, curtains, textiles or bed sheets. those days when i still didnt know north from south and clueless that sodas here have endless refills. Wh0-has-the-curly-fries-or-the-criss-cut-fries?kin da thing.
I badly needed to go to a bookstore since ive been taking my book assignments so lax. They have very corteous and helpful bookstore assistants even if you could browse what you need from the comp system. even when you have the ISBN and shelf number,staff will still try to find it for you and bring it to the register in front... this should be one of my best service experiences.
Plus they contracted Seattles Best coffee inside their store. Amazing! i think i just discovered one of my would-be just chill places.
Got my books. Walk away. -
Review from Katrina O.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/20/2007
There aren't a lot of major bookstores in the area, so you might be stuck with this.
The low rating from me is for their restrooms -- they now require a "token" to access them due to chronic vandalism. I guess I can't blame Borders for that.
Once I managed to get inside I expected at least something decent, yet they still had stalls with NO t.p., and NO seat covers.
Oh, and no book nazi's bothered me while i was at the cafe trying to decide which travel book to buy (1+ hours and 1 latte later ) -
Review from Steven C.
Mountain View, CA
7/16/2007
I love this place because it features a wide array of books to peruse. What's at fault is not that of the store itself but of the people who come in. I visited on a Friday night, and at least 20 high-school children ran around the store playing hide-and-seek, using customers' chairs as a locale to chat (in obnoxious, loud voices), and, in general, terrorizing customers.
If you have earplugs, by all means come.
To get here, take Union City Transit lines 1A, 1B, 2, and 3, or AC Transit lines 97 and 210 and get off at the Union Landing Transit Center. All of the aforementioned lines come from either the South Hayward or the Union City BART stations. -
Review from Jason T.
San Lorenzo, CA
5/21/2009
THIS REVIEW's FOUNDATION IS THE GUYS LOO.
I don't hang out in the loo at borders, but I do use it when i down my drinks for no real apparent reason other than to avoid the self-struggle of feeling like a free loading student in the place.
The restroom is not so restful, although a joy to look at while taking a piss. A window into a few seconds of some strangers, or stupid guy's thoughts.
I do not know if they gave up cleaning because of the endless, and persistence of bay area people tagging up the bathroom, or find it a sort of self-expression of borders-- a form of art? and Oddly enough the bathroom is not so hard to piss in, in that you are not entirely grossed out by the smell or the condition in which you find yourself pissing in, but
A) you get use to it
B) you do not care
C) it is art. -
Review from Stephanie B.
San Luis Obispo, CA
7/25/2008
This borders is a good place to read or study if you can find a spot in the cafe. They also have great coffee. I like getting one of their cookies and asking them to heat it up for a few seconds, then eat it with some milk or a latte.
Books-wise, they have a pretty big fiction section, and they HAD lots of test prep books, but when I went there a couple days ago, they had a lot less than usual. Graphic novel section has lots... -
Review from John S.
Union City, CA
1/16/2007
If you think once you been in one Borders, you've been all of them....well your right.
Seattle's Best Coffee , large selection of magazines, and all that you would expect from a chain bookstore.
Parking is a little tough at night. Huge Cineplex across the way, Best Buy, Lowes, Michael's, Albertsons, several decent restaurants, etc. can be found in the same shopping center they call UNION LANDING.
If you like to save money on books, join the Borders Member and you get regular emails that nab you good discounts. -
Review from Jennea R.
Union City, CA
10/30/2008
This borders is so ghetto. First of all, every Friday and Saturday night it's just packed with teenagers. There's no where to ever to sit..there's like 5 chairs in the whole place. The customer service really sucks..I've placed orders on the internet to hold books for me..and I always get emails back saying they don't have the book in stock...but then I go there and there it is right on the shelf. I think there employees are just lazy, and they need some new mature ones. And the little cafe part, it's impossible to ever sit down over there because there's always a huge group of some filipino teenagers just sitting at a big table gathered around a laptop.
This place is lame. -
Review from Angela Y.
Fremont, CA
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Review from Albert d.
Union City, CA
2/12/2008
It's a bookstore so you'll find books, magazines and what not. They do have their act together only half the time. There are so many people that come in and out of this place it almost looks like a zoo. As for the cafe the coffee and drinks are good but I can never find a seat. Damn students always hogging up a 4 person table and it's just them with a laptop. When I browse around the store for other things I'm always followed like I'm suspect or something. I have no clue what it is, it's not like I'm a terrorist. There is one short old lady on a walkie talkie that is just freaky as hell almost like Chucky following you. When you get near the DVD's you can smell the bathroom from there like someone just took a dump in that area.
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Review from Henry S.
Oakland, CA
9/5/2006
This is a great place to go to for a nice time to read. I usually go there during the weekdays. They open until 11pm. Lots of new books and magazines while the coffee shops keeps me warm during the night. The neighborhood is wonderful also. Try to avoid weekends since it's hard to find a parking while movie goers are around.
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Review from Jessie L.
Hayward, CA
7/23/2007
Great and vast book selection!! I can't comprehend the amount of nights i spent here doing homework, research, preparing presentations. I really owe alot to borders for getting me through college!! If i need a new magazine to read this is the spot!!
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Review from Kymberli C.
Concord, CA
6/2/2007
We came in here because we were waiting for our table at Texas Roadhouse... they have a better selection of magazines that I haven't seen in any other borders because my friend was looking for a specific Japanese craft magazine and I found it here! I wasn't even looking either it just jumped out at me... haha. The paperchase section isn't as nice but they had a big 75% sale section when I went so maybe they are getting rid of it.
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Review from Orie M.
Cupertino, CA
7/7/2006
You can spend an hour in Borders lounging around reading magazines and books for free, especially if you can find a seat somewhere. For some reason Borders feels more comfortable than Barnes and Noble. I also like Seattle Best Coffee's hot chocolate, but it can be yum! or hmm ok.. depending on who makes it. Watch out for people who fart in the bookstore though... SBD (Silent But Deadly...)
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Review from Daryl Y.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2009
I went in here to buy a book today, and I left with four books and a magazine, due in part to the excellent and clean merchandising. I don't understand how anyone can give this place fewer than three stars. First, they are a bookstore, and they carry a shitload of books. (1 star.) They also carry accessories for books, like booklights, bookmarks, pens, paper, all that stuff. (2 stars) They have excellent parking (3 stars) There's a bunch of other places to shop in, eat in and be entertained in, without having to unpark your car. (4 stars) There are obviously some extrinsic factors that can reduce the rating, but DAMN, a one star review because the bathroom wasn't up to snuff? It's a BOOKSTORE, that happens to have a public restroom. You're an idiot and should be banned from Yelp.
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Review from Megan K.
Hayward, CA
10/22/2008
Hi Borders, I treat you like my ghetto-library (really, who buys from here? I recommend going to your local, independent bookstore and purchasing from them!). I only go here to read stuff that I'm too cheap to buy, and in reality my library never has enough chairs, never a great selection, absolutely NO wifi; but the employees really are great. Don't be bitchy and leave your magazines strewn all over the place, what are you, 5?
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Review from Stella C.
10/4/2007
not the biggest borders, but easy to swing by and pick up magazines if you are in the neighborhood. i have never purchased a book at this location.
they don't have a huge boxed cards selection or paperchase selection, but when i was walking out empty handed, i saw the corner that was filled with clearance paperchase products! i picked up some notebooks, and it came out to $6!!! one notebook was already over $10 reg price. i guess i got lucky. -
Review from Fayla J.
6/6/2009
This Borders is prefectly fine. It's in a good area, its big with a good selection. I just go in, browse, get my books and leave. And I agree with Elle, umm how is Union City and/or Fremont ghetto? lol. umm okay...can we say ignorance? Lets learn what ghetto means first BEFORE using it, THANKS :)
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Review from Rinne R.
Union City, CA
5/9/2006
From shopping for books, gift-wrap or gift accessories, Borders is the best. I'll take this over Barnes and Nobles any day. For some reason, I like the one in Fremont better though..
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Review from Andrenaline R.
San Francisco, CA
11/3/2006
I don't know if you can actually get your study on here, because it's so loud inside. A lot of high school and college students take over the cafe tables. Other than the noise level, this borders has a nice selection of cds/dvds, books and magazines. If you're a starbucks person, go there first to get your coffee before coming to borders.
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Review from Juliana T.
Fremont, CA
1/10/2008
Best place to come browse when you're waiting for that movie to start. However, because so many people come here, the magazine racks, books can be slightly disarrayed on weekend evenings. It's a popular hang out spot to read, relax, and hang.
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Review from Paulo A.
Merced, CA
5/14/2006
Very nice place indeed. For those looking for a place to study on a weekday, be prepared to compete for tables with High School students and free magazine readers. I think they placed a one hour limit with a purchase if you are using a table. But if the place is empty, they won't bother you. Also, if you plan to read a book for more then a few pages, move around as to avoid the book Nazis. ;D
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Review from JC G.
San Jose, CA
5/13/2008
A good place to study if you can ever find a seat. This place is always crowded and it sucks that they took out those couches near the music section. The good thing about it is they are open till late so you can get some extra study on if you have any mid-terms or tests coming up. Great place to meet up at Union Landing or if you want to just grab a cup of joe and read. SAVE ME A SEAT! lol
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Review from Carmen S.
Union City, CA
2/3/2006
Large bookstore with comfy leather sofas but this place is crowded everyday. I'm glad they changed their coffee in their cafe to SBC (Seattle's Best Coffee).
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Review from David R.
Hayward, CA
6/20/2009
this borders is one of the better one's out of all the borders i've been to in the bay area. it's better because of the convenience. i'm in college, so it's convenient to have study groups at some place local that's easy to find, and the only place that's local and easy to find is the borders at union landing.
most of the store is kept neat and orderly. except for the graphic novels section because of all the anime fans that sit around in that section. on weekends, especially fridays, it looks like a sit-in. up until recently they had movies and music, but they gutted those sections and now become just a bookstore. period.
it can be hard to find a table at night though, since fellow college students take up all the tables. fortunately, i was able to get a table for a study group. soon after we decamped to anderson's. the key is to show up in the afternoon before 5, most of the tables will be open.
what else can i say about this place...the cafe makes great iced moccas and the books all smell like coffee, lol. which is great to me since i'm there every month. -
Review from Dude M.
Hayward, CA
8/8/2008
When this place first opened, it was really nice- reminded me of the Borders in San Ramon. Fast forward a few years later, and this is the shittiest bookstore around- literally.
A few years ago I walk in, and a couple walked past me- they smelled like turds. I thought "man, they must have terrible breath!", but as I walked closer to the magazine section the smell got stronger; and by this time the couple was long gone. Getting stronger still, I look down and there was a turd on the ground- I'm not kidding. In utter disbelief, I went ahead and told one of the workers about it. He was just as shocked and I just walked away.
I looked back a few minutes later and saw another worker cleaning it up, I felt sorry for her.=(
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The last three times I visited, I would be talking with my friend in-between bookshelves. For some reason a worker will come up to me, interrupt me mid-conversation and ask me "Can I help you find anything?"The proverbial bitch-slap was awaiting them, trust me. I have yet to walk into any bookstore and have someone interrupt my conversations, until now.
...and I have yet to describe the junior high schoolers. I believe this says something about this Borders.
Forgettable is a gross understatement. -
Review from William N.
San Francisco, CA
7/12/2009
Sorry, but this is without a doubt the worst Borders I have ever been to. It was completely disorganized, they seem to be understaffed, the cleanliness is questionable and the bathroom was disgraceful.
There are other Borders elsewhere, so do yourself a favor and avoid this one. -
Review from Kaizen M.
Union City, CA
6/18/2009
This bookstore/cafe is awesome! It's really quiet and a great place for reading. The employees are my dislike. I mean they're just employees, but they're mean, and ugly. They're mean because one time, me and my friends were reading and all at an isle, there's this one Indian (no- offense) employee that came up to us and told us to get out just because my friend was just taking a picture!? I was pissed off. But borders is a great place. You really have to go. I'm not a big fan of books, but when I'm in borders, i go and read for hours sometimes.
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Review from Mary T.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/7/2008
This is a decent Borders. Cal and I used to meet up in front of this particular Borders on weeknights because Union City is pretty much mid-way from our respective homes. I used to run inside to use the restroom as soon as I got there because I have a weak bladder, but I hated asking for a special coin to unlock the door. They got rid of that policy (thank goodness), but the door is heavy and can hurt you! So beware of that. Cal and I finally decided to study in the cafe area yesterday, and it was a nice change from our usual study spots. It's much more open than the Borders in Sunnyvale, and I liked the crowd. It was nice to see people sharing tables with strangers. And the raspberry latte was like liquid candy - I loved it! I got one in the morning and another one later that day.
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Review from charlotte s.
Oakland, CA
1/22/2007
thank you borders for being located there... you've saved my life (and my undies) several times when i've had to go pee pee and there was nowhere else to go in the area... i'm forever thankful!
and mmmm seattle's best coffee... and an assortment of books and magazines and gifts...
thank you thank you! -
Review from Mai C.
Fremont, CA
5/19/2009
i pretty much love this place! i love the smell! i looooove the smell of new books. it just smells so good! idk why but i love the smell of books. anyway, i go here allll the time to get my literature books and pretty much just to go here. i love it here. whenever i find a book i want to get, i pretty much memorize the title and come back for it. and it's there! the people are insanely helpful. PLUS, i remember i wanted this one book that i couldn't get because i blew all my money at the movies before i came there. and then like a summer later, it was THERE. so i bought it. and it was a pretty good book. i love this place. i love borders.
