The book store with the biggest star following might well be Book Soup, a very popular shop on the Sunset Strip. According to Los Angeles magazine, regulars include Madonna, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Alec Baldwin, Drew Barrymore, Joan Collins, Jackie Collins and Jody Watley have also been spotted there. So has Star Trek's Mr. Spock - Leonard Nimoy. Thora Birch was quoted as saying it was her favorite book store.

The shop also books in-person appearances by celebrity authors for readings, lectures and book-signings. Assorted stars and studio bigwigs drop by to promote their books, often several different celebs are scheduled for personal appearances in a single week. So it's a great chance to meet some of your favorite stars in the flesh.

Mia Farrow signed her book there recently. So did Meg Tilly. So did Ann-Margret. So did Marky Mark. So did Howard Stern. The stars sit behind the counter and scribble their names for the fans who line up to buy their books.

In December of 1997, a book signing by Akosua Busia was attended by the author's star friends Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, John Singleton and Vanessa Williams.

Loni Anderson was in the store recently signing copies of her tell-all bio, "My Life In High Heels," just a week after the entire cast of "NYPD Blue" showed up at the store to help promote the book "True Blue: The Real Stories Behind NYPD Blue." Johnny Carson's sidekick, Ed McMahon, was there to sign his autobiography.

The cult director of "Pink Flamingos," John Waters, was there for an autograph session one week, followed shortly by actor Jack Palance, who was promoting his book, "The Forest of Love." 'Weird Al' Yankovic says he likes to browse the books here.

Who's next? Well, the local newspaper L.A. Weekly has a good list of such events, available online at http://www.laweekly.com/calendar (search for "readings.") You can also find listings on the L.A. Times' website

The store also recently opened a restaurant next door, Book Soup Bistro, in case you get hungry while star-watching or scouring the stacks.

 Getting there: Book soup is located on Sunset, between Santa Monica Blvd. and Doheny Drive.