In this digital age, I still love the feel of newspaper or magazine paper on my fingers and the…read moredynamic of reading together with Gayle. So one day, Gayle and I were walking from the Cruise ship to Dalhouise (to explore campus), we came upon Atlantic News. The place was loaded with various periodicals and I got to that point where there was too much to finish deciding. I left with a weekend Global and Mail, and copies of Canadian Geographic, Macleans, Canadian Art, and more. You don't find a store like this much anymore.

So happy I got to experience this legendary magazine shop. They have it all! So many imports…read morecovering all topics. I picked up a couple education magazines, a bundle of cooking and design, as well as some artsy ones. I picked up a vintage Mercedes magazine from the U.K. for my husband, he was pleased! There is a great section of cards from local artists, puzzles and other fun odds and ends. We went to the candy shop across the street too.

Snap is a monthly "Good News" newspaper focused on reporting family friendly events taking place…read morewithin the community. Most of the material is "fluff", but with all the harsh realities we see on the news everyday, it can be nice to read about fund raisers and charitable events taking place around the city. It's also a great resource for those of you who are looking for upcoming events to participate in. Snap is not as hip as The Coast or as up-to-date as the Metro Daily, but it does fill a niche void in the community and fills it very well. Not for the cynical or news hounds, but definitely worth a look for those of looking for the bright side of Halifax. Hot Hint: Snap is distributed in many stores and restaurants in this city from The Adventure Outfitters to The YMCA. Check out their website for a full list of vendors.

Snap is a great magazine covering local events through out town…read more It is primarily full of pictures, hence the name "SNAP". They cover great events, especially the charitable ones. They give a pretty good update on things around town. Don't expect to get the latest stock tips here, but to keep up on what is happening around town , and free, a great news paper.

I can't decide if I like the Halifax or D-town location better. Sure, some may say "they're exactly…read morethe same - it's a huge chain, dummy," but alas, the subtleties are where I thrive, my friend. Both Starbucks locations at these Chapters are forever busy, pumping out the java just as fast as the patrons, frothing at the mouth with blood shot eyes, can lap it up. I think the Dartmouth location offers a more relaxed sitting vibe and also seems like there is more attention paid to details, such as cleanliness. As for the actual factuals of this Chapter's location? I feel like it's more familiar. It just seems more relaxed overall. I know, around the holidays it's a mad house, but on the average day, I've enjoyed sitting in the aisles and pouring over words undisturbed. Don't you just love that you can read, like it's a library or something? There are some long time employees at this location, and their service can be pretty great. I feel like a lot of the workers here are bibliophiles which makes shopping here far and away more fun than the Hali locale. So, there you have it. I proclaim Dartmouth the victor. Three cheers to you, large bookstore.

I'm a bit of a bookworm, so when my boyfriend shops with me he knows that I set aside a few hours…read moreto browse through whichever bookstore is handy. Chapters in Dartmouth (which is a part of the Mic Mac Mall), usually fits the bill perfectly and even combines book hunting with another of my favorite things, caffeine! Starbucks and Chapters have their usual partnership in this location, but be forewarned that the Starbucks is one of the busiest I've ever been in, line waiting is inevitable. Browsing is easy with clearly labeled shelves and the handy book searches available on the public computers. The inventory of books, magazines, games, CDs, DVDs, gifts and small home decorations is massive. Due to the large amount of stock and the general public's lack of knowledge about the ins and outs of the dewy decimal system, the staff have to be very keen and helpful which is perfect because they are. Hot Hint: Don't be afraid to ask to have any book that isn't in stock order in for you.

Staff are always helpful and friendly. The store is well organized! The prices are great…read moreconsidering how much it is to buy new, and all books that I have purchased are in excellent condition!

Don't let the plain exterior of this store deter you from entering!…read moreInside you will find a paradise for book lovers. There is an impressive variety of books from many different categories, well organized, the books are of good quality and are very reasonably priced. The staff is always friendly and helpful and willing to go on-line to find details on titles and authors, and if you are looking for a book they don't have they will call you when it comes in. You can spend as much time as you like there, even find a couch or chair to sit down while you check out some books, they won't ever make you feel rushed. I have been coming here for years and am so happy this deserving business has weathered the rise of e-readers and yet they only seem to be getting better all the time.

I can honestly say that I truly appreciate the Metro News. I mean what's not to like about a free,…read moredaily newspaper. It's compact size makes for easy reading on the bus or at the kitchen table, and you can literally pick one up anywhere, whether it's from one of the many newsstand boxes throughout the HRM or from a street distributor. In comparison to a subscription newspaper, Metro offers significantly less news coverage and does not include an index, but is great for seeing the news at a glance.

I recently discovered the Metro News Paper. This is a great free paper…read more You will find it located all over , some times it is in a stand on its own, this would be outside in a green bin. When inside it is located with the other free magazines. It is a great paper, covering international news but focusing a lot of our own city. It is a very easy read and it about half the size of a regular paper. I look for the Metro now when I am around town. Be sure the get one early, they tend to fly off the racks quick.

Very small selection of cigars, I found the service to be slow and the women behind the counter…read moreseamed more interested in the phone and her reading material then me, she also came across as upset we me because I was there and asking her questions.

Being a teacher's spouse means getting dragged from educational bookstore to educational bookstore…read moreon the regular for pretty much the rest of your life. Sometimes this is a good thing (see: Woozles), sometimes it can be so boring you'd rather repeat the second grade than have to weigh in yet again on which 'Foundations of Reading: An Instructional Text' series looks more interesting. Tattletales is one of the few spots that does a great job of balancing booksmarts with bookswagger. Sure, there's plenty for teachers looking to stock up on new strategies but there's even more great books, toys, and activities to keep kids of all ages (and grown-ups who turn into kids when shopping in kids book sections) entertained while they do so. There's plenty of space outside for parking and inside for easy shopping - you don't have to awkwardly dance with other shoppers as you cram into the same aisle. Staff are smart, helpful and really know their business rather than just minimum wage earning teens who text from behind the cash as you ask them questions. Whether you know what you're looking for or not, they can help you out. While I don't know much about their special events, I do know that during my visit, Sheree Fitch just happened to be there for a reading - a favourite from my childhood ever since being given a signed copy of Toes in my Nose. Very cool!

Tattletales is an independent Dartmouth bookstore that has been around since 1995. First in Penhorn…read moreMall, and now in the newly opened Penhorn Plaza. They're a good mixture of a children's bookstore, a toy store, and an excellent resource for teachers. The new store has a spacious clean setup and the displays are an inviting feast for the eyes. The toy section has a wide array of educational and just plain fun stuff. There's a great selection of Lego and Playmobile with some sets I haven't seen elsewhere. They also stock board games and puzzles. This is a toy store I could spend quite a while perusing. I don't have any children, but I adore this store with my childhood heart and love of whimsy. I've found the prices to be fair and often less than the big competitors. They also offer orders on any book or product they don't have in stock. The book section is exactly what a children's bookstore should be. There is a ton of variety in titles and the layout offers a much more intimate setting than the big box stores. The displays offer suggestions on the best pics for books and prominently shows what's new. In the exploding market of youth books they seem to carry everything. Not just Twilight. They shelve all the top titles along with little known gems. Tattletales' staff are friendly and helpful. They give you that local feel only an independent bookstore can. A definite must for book and toy lovers.

Gigantic Video was in my old stomping ground when I lived in the south end. I primarily went here…read moreto rent movies, although they do have the staples you need if it is late. The staff here is varied, some good, some not. I did not buy much here and the rentals not over the top. But will do in a pinch or if you do not want to walk up to Quinpool Rd.

I don't really ask a lot from my convenience stores, and typically I don't get a lot in return. A…read moregrunt from the minimum wage worker when I quip "Have a good one" or a little nod when I ask for free matches. Gigantic Video delivers this kind of mediocre customer service, there are no pleasantries exchanged during a purchase, which can be nice if you're in a hurry, but frustrating when you're in a chipper mood. The video (or rather DVD) collection is decent, old titles don't stay around very long, especially the more obscure ones. The chips however do stay around for awhile, with dusty bags as evidence. Gigantic Video really only performs well at the convenience part of it's role because there isn't exactly quality promised. Other than a bottle of mix, your favorite tobacco product or some slightly stale snacks, this little convenience store has very little to offer. Hot Hint: They are open late every night, and even later on the weekends, so it's a reliable stop on the way home from downtown.