The Beach is Calling

Great Bargains On Used & New Books For Summer Reading.

Looking for a bargain chick-lit paperback to read on your hotel balcony? Or, maybe you want to treat yourself to that hardcover thriller you’ve had your eye on, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers plenty of book shop options.

The Foley Book Exchange offers amazing deals on gently used paperbacks. Prices range around $2.50 for paperbacks, and $3.50 for the larger-size soft covers. Bring in an acceptable book for a trade and prices can go as low as $1.50 for your must-read selection. When you think about it, exchanging books is a terrific “Green Idea.” The shop also offers previously-owned DVDs and CDs. Located in downtown Foley at the corner of Highways 98 & 59, it’s worth the short drive to save on great reading options. For hours, call 251-943-5044.

Just Books & Movies has been serving the community since 1985. They offer a large selection of bargain books, best sellers, paperbacks, children's books and southern authors. Stop in to rent one of the latest movie DVDs or video games. A free WiFi hotspot, Just Books & Movies is located in Bruno's Shopping Center on Highway 59 in Gulf Shores. For hours, call 251-968-6828.

Books-A-Million offers a huge selection of bargain books on every topic. Always a great place to browse for the latest titles, magazines, gifts and more, you can linger over a cup of coffee in the café and read the day’s paper. It’s a free WiFi hotspot, too. The store is located at 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway in the Pelican Place at Craft Farms Shopping Center. For hours, call 251-968-4222.

Beach Romance or Beach Mystery

For me a trip to the beach requires more steps that just remembering the sunscreen and sunhat. My biggest decision is what book to bring along.

Sure, I spend the first moments of my beach visit reconnecting with the sugar white sand and the soothing rhythm of the waves, but after that, it's all about me time. And me time is reading time.

When I'm at home or at work, there are just too many distractions. The phone rings, the laundry needs doing and so on.

But at the beach, I can get lost in a good book. I can be swept away to a castle. I can walk in the steps of history. I can sleuth and solve a mystery. As long as I remember to reapply the sunscreen, that is.

If you feel the same way about a good book, whether you enjoy reading at the beach, on the deck, or snuggled up on the couch, be sure to visit the annual book sale over at the Gulf Shores Library, this Friday and Saturday - Feb 12 - 13.

Stock up on your favorites - history, fiction, romance, mystery, sci-fi - whatever gets you turning the page.

The sale is being held at the Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center located at 260 Clubhouse Dr. Their phone is 251-968-8083. The sale hours are Friday 9am to 4pm and then again Saturday from 8am to 1pm.

And if you have stacks of books that you've already read at home, you can donate those to this great cause. The income from this sale helps the library purchase new books.