BOOKS and BOOKSTORES
Like the French (and most Europeans in general), I think it preferable to purchase whatever goods and services you need from the independent specialists. Buy your fish from the fishmonger, flowers from a florist, cheese from a *real* cheese shop, etc. This is the approach I use, especially when looking for travel books.I will go to travel bookstores, or independent bookstores with strong travel sections. The staff in these stores are usually more knowledgeable and therefore more helpful to you. The bad aspect I find in going to the larger chainstores is that travel guides tend to be shelved separately from travel writing and related history books, implying somehow that guidebooks are all a traveller needs or wants! Not *this* traveller!!
