OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS AND VIEWS : Cross Borders to Entertainment : <i> Teen reviews of books, music, movies and other things of interest. : </i>

Tired of the same faces and places to go on the weekend? Check out Borders.

Borders has books, music, videos and an espresso bar, all under one 30,000-square-foot roof. Tom and Lewis Borders opened their first store in 1971 in Ann Arbor, Mich., and now 60 locations are scattered across the nation.

The 61st store opened its doors a month ago in Mission Viejo, at Cabot and El Paseo roads, and is the first Southern California location.

“We’re happy to add to the culture here,” manager Cory Bol said. Two Los Angeles sites will open next month.

The vast book section is the first thing you see when entering. Thousands of books--literature, philosophy, religion, horror, mystery, history, computers, science fiction, health, travel, psychology, art and children’s offerings--are available. Special genres, such as those on gay and lesbian topics and untranslated texts, also are for sale.

You can also sign up to be part of a book club. Each month, Borders selects a genre and sells those books for 30% off. Members meet once a month at the store to discuss the selected books. October’s selections include young adult, women studies, mystery and science fiction.

You can also philosophize with friends over a mocha at the espresso bar, just two steps from the book section. The monthly activity calendar gives times of live performances at the mini coffeehouse.

Toward the back of the store, visitors can browse through the music section or check out new video releases. Music supplies, such as blank tapes and headsets, are for sale, and you can listen to CDs at the information desk before buying them. Near the video section is a big-screen TV that plays movies throughout the day. Children or adults can sit on couches and listen to the movie with earphones.

Special events are held about three times a week. They range from author-signing parties, readings for children to meetings of special interest groups and band performances.

Borders is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Call (714) 367-0005 for information.