West Side Book Shop: Ann Arbor, Michigan

On West Liberty, between Main and Ashley, look for a big sign shaped like an open book to find a book shop "strong in travel and exploration, especially Polar regions, Americana, modern first editions and books on books." The first time I went I think I was lost to the world for the rest of the afternoon, because in addition to the fantastic selection of polar literature, they had a whole bookcase of sea-faring and sailing memoirs (pretty sure it is where I discovered Francis Chichester's books), plus a killer collection of poetry and unjustly forgotten modern novels (the storefront is deceptively small; some 20,000 books are crammed in there, plus a small array of prints). The booksellers there (esp. Jay Platt) are walking encyclopedias of obscure and fabulous recommendations; it's not only Ann Arbor's oldest bookshop, it's one of the very best anywhere, especially if you like old books.