It wasn't too long ago that the number of bookstores in town could be counted on one hand. Now, the valley boasts a large number, many of which have more books in the fiction section than the booksellers of 15 years ago carried in the entire store. Las Vegas has become such a mecca of reading that the international chain Borders has chosen the city to test market its latest concept store.

The new Borders at Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is only the second like it, the first being adjacent to the company's corporate offices in Ann Arbor, Mich. The 22,000-square-foot store features the usual wide range of titles but also has several unique features bridging the gap between traditionally printed media and the interactive electronic age.