Best Bookstore

Book collector Jim Taylor opened this field of literary dreams in Rice Village 13 years ago with several thousand of his own books. In February, he moved to his current location, a quaint former fire station with stained concrete floors and a classy, minimalist decor. Taylor specializes in leather-bound books and modern first editions from heavy-hitters like Hemingway, Steinbeck and Fitzgerald. He's also got autographed copies for the serious investor -- A Farewell to Arms with Hemingway's John Hancock runs $24,000. You can get lost for hours amid the simple wooden shelves filled with vintage children's books, Civil War volumes, and even pop favorites like King and Ludlum. Taylor also prides himself on his collection of 4,000 toy soldiers. Chances are, you'll have more fun in this tiny space than in five billion square feet of Barnes & Noble.