Traveling through San Francisco or New York City you are bound to come across dozens of small, unique bookstores. In Los Angeles, however, a chance encounter with one of these great little shops is rare indeed. But I have great news – you can find what you are looking for right on the famed Sunset Strip in West Hollywood!

Book Soup is reminiscent of old-time bookstores (before there was Barnes and Noble or Borders) with its aged wood floors and wall-to-wall bookshelves. Not nearly as prim and proper as the big corporate guys, Book Soup is stuffed to the brim with every type of book imaginable. All of this intertwined in its maze-like layout, which starkly contrasts with the straight, clean lines of the shelves at the local Borders.

The outside entrance area of Book Soup offers a huge newsstand and magazine racks with all the latest publications from around the globe. Upon entering the shop, the strong scent of new and old paper will fill your senses as you try to determine which way to start wandering.

Your browsing will lead you to a plethora of books on all subjects, “PC” or not. The store offers wide selections of publications on everything from art, music and film to fiction and non-fiction.

If you're not in the mood to search through the store yourself, Book Soup offers expert personal shoppers to do the grunt work for you. Only in L.A.!

In addition to great book shopping, Book Soup hosts numerous special events throughout the week. Book signings are always a huge hit with the hip crowds that come to meet the authors of their favorite books or just to support the craft. Just be warned that many of these signings feature celebrity authors and require advance arrangements with tickets to attend. If you're lucky you can catch the likes of desperate housewife Teri Hatcher signing her new tome Burnt Toast or blues brother Jim Belushi presenting his new book Real Men Don't Apologize .

Don't worry if you can't make a signing – Book Soup has a number of books that are already signed and available for purchase.  

And now a note to the thrifty:   Book Soup has an addendum located 40 paces to the West of the main store and is a bargain-hunters paradise. The floor to ceiling shelves are packed with fantastic art, photo, fashion, film and architecture books that are marked down as much as 90 percent from the original price.

Book Soup's location on the trendy Sunset Strip has helped it tap into a hip, young crowd and keeps the shopper traffic booming. If you are looking to relax and browse through thousands of titles, new and old, in one of L.A.'s last truly stylized bookstores, then Book Soup in West Hollywood is a must-see for you!

Book Soup is open Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Metered street parking is available. For more information, call (310) 659-3410 or visit www.booksoup.com .