A visitor curling up with a book in G.J. Ford Bookshop
This review is submitted by Leslie Boatwright, my bookstore-visiting-buddy. I’ve mentioned her in passing in prior posts, but truly, I rarely visit a bookstore alone, I’m either with my husband or Leslie, primarily Leslie. We both love to travel and plan into our trips letterboxing and visiting independent bookstores. Our kids don’t know that there is any other way to travel, they gave up complaining about it years ago. Last fall as the plane was landing in Denver, I mentioned to Leslie that we were visiting five bookstores that afternoon, she was shocked “Five!?!,” I told her I would let her eat lunch, and off we went. In the end we found seven that weekend, and Leslie was by my side at the cash register at every store along the way. We may be poor in our retirement due to our book purchases, but we’ll have a lot to read! Here is Leslie’s review of G.J. Ford Bookshop:
My mother-in-law moved several years ago to St. Simons Island, a small island located east of Brunswick, Georgia. It’s part of a series of three islands – Jekyll Island has had both books written and a movie made about it and Sea Island is where the very upscale Cloisters Resort is located. It’s an absolutely beautiful area, yet quaint with noteworthy historical landmarks such as Fort Frederica National Monument, which dates back to 1736 and was built to protect the then territories from British invasion. My mother in law, also an avid reader, read an article about St. Simons Island and decided it would be a great place to live, so they packed up and moved there.
One of things I most look forward to doing when we visit them is going to G.J. Ford Bookshop. I’ve spent many hours at Ford’s meandering through the shelves. Ford’s isn’t huge, but it’s large enough to have well stocked shelves of everything from the latest children’s books, fiction, and non-fiction, to a really informative area of books related to local interest. I always end up with at least a book (or two or three) to put into my suitcase to bring home.
Ford’s has a lovely table for children to sit, relax and look at books as well as the other children’s crafts that they sell. And, if you just want to while away some time, there’s a cozy couch to sit and read for as long as you like. The store is bright, welcoming and comfortable. Its website encourages people come by and hang out; its motto is “find a book . . .make a friend” and that has been my experience every time I drop by. Ford’s has a knowledgeable staff that will special order books for you, look for out of print books and will gift wrap your purchases for you as well as send them.
The folks at Ford’s put out a newsletter every month called Book Chat that showcases many of the new books coming out as well as the picks from the staff. I always find a book or two in Book Chat that I hadn’t heard of and end up reading. Sadly, Book Chat is not available online, so I’m dependent on my mother-in-law to send it to me, but it’s worth the wait.
600 Sea Island Rd.
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
T: 912.634.6168
F: 912.634.8987
Tags: Georgia, Georgia bookstore, Golden Isles, St Simons Island bookstore, St. Simons Island
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Do you purchase Eugenia Price books?
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Many moons ago as the saying goes. I bought Don Juan Mc Queen in hard back. I never got to finish it. The book split in the middle. Am trying to locate it and Lighthouse. By Eugenia Price. I still have other books you send me…Love the history in them.
Thought I’d check with you.Regards,
Debbie Bickford
El Cajon, California
Reply
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