Coming through London from my recent trip, I made the obligatory stop at Foyle's, one of my favorite bookstores on Earth (the only real competitor being The Strand in New York).

If you've never been to Foyle's, it's a huge and idiosyncratic bookstore. The fiction, on the first floor, is organized by publisher. The bookshelves are rickety and the decor looks as if it has not changed since the 70s at the latest.

I was horrified to find that Foyle's is remodeling! On the ground floor, with its freshly-laid carpet, works of fiction are now alphabetized by author in brand-new blonde wood bookshelves. Even the stairway no longer looks like something in your elementary school.

It's terrible! If I wanted this kind of experience, I would go across the street to Borders!

Fortunately I never spent much time on the ground floor, and the upper floors have not yet been sullied, but it is only a matter of time. The book buying experience at Foyle's will soon be nothing but a sterile commodity exchange. My friend Tim even predicted there will be a coffee bar!

Next thing you know, The Strand will get air conditioning.