In San Jose, there used to be a bookstore named Computer Literacy. If it had to do with computers, technology, start-ups, and other related topics, this place had the books. It was truly a wonderland for book-loving geeks and nerds. I was in there a couple of times per month. Unfortunately, they charged list prices on everything, and they finally got eaten by Amazon, but while they were around, it was glorious.
CL opened a satellite store in Tyson's Corner VA outside DC which lasted a couple years. Between CL and Reiter's (which still exists in DC), I must have spent several thousands on full price trade, textbook, and reference books. This made sense because I could look closely at each book before buying to see if it merited the investment. I've found that buying online works only if the book is discounted significantly. Too often now I find the online blurb and user opinions lead me to buy a book that I wouldn't have if I'd held it in my hands before parting with $50 or more.
There was also a Computer Literacy in Sunnyvale, with a Togo’s right by it, and a Fry’s across the street and WeirdStuff Warehouse near that. That little cluster made a great destination for a lunch and geek stuff run.
