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BOOKS PLUS:
Maggie Carter-de Vries- Book Seller
(Author)

Maggie's amelia's secrets website

  
   
   
   
   
       
Maggie Carter- de Vries
Maggie Carter- de Vries

Maggie began writing short stories while in high school and over the years envisioned becoming an author, book store owner or librarian.. Now at last her dream has come true in more ways than one with the publication of not one book, but two and another coming soon along with the purchase of Amelia Island's premier family oriented book store, "Books Plus".

Maggie stopped on Amelia Island 25 years ago to spend the night at the Bailey House B&B and fell instantly, madly in love with the miniature version of her birthplace, Charleston, S.C. Purchased a home in the historic district within three months and raised her two children, Tania and Clife in the community of an extended family. She is now the grandmother of her fishing buddy, Andrew and continues to embrace the island as her adopted home.

A lifelong lover of books; Maggie is most often found discussing the latest books in her shop with friends and customers. Children tugging at their parents' hands can be seen heading to the back of the store, where a gazebo with comfy cushions beckons. Surrounding the gazebo are walls of children's books. The small-town warmth and friendliness on the brightly lit shop draws the customers in. Locals come looking for the latest good read, and visitors find a complete selection of books that focus on the history and flora and fauna that make Northeast Florida such a fascinating place to live and visit.

  
               
 

The island is blessed with many resident writers and poets of all kinds. Maggie encourages the local creative community, and on any given Saturday you may find an author sitting at a table in front of the store talking about their books and promoting the virtues of Amelia Island and a community with Mayberry-like charm. It is no surprise that Maggie is a sponsor of the annual Book Island Festival held on Amelia Island the second weekend in February each year. The Festival features famous authors as well as Local Authors and offers programs and seminars for participants and attracts visitors from all over the United States and the world.
Ever ready with a friendly greeting, Maggie's smiling face will greet you when you enter the store, and she will quickly ask what you are reading and hand you something she thinks you might be interested in. Before you know it, you'll walk out with a book or two under your arm.
Proud to be an independent bookseller and not part of a chain, Maggie has created a shop with lots of personality and warmth.

Maggie is an entrepreneur at heart and listens to her customers requests and has recently added to the book store WI/FI Internet connection, comfortable seating, new genres of books as well as the "Kozy Koffee Korner" and very soon magazines for those who have been requesting different reading materials.

Maggie says she is privileged to have been given the opportunity to purchase Books Plus from Don Shaw, who designed the store and gave it the foundation she now builds upon.

His favorite saying is as follows:

"….Why are we reading if not in hope that the writer will magnify and dramatize our days, will illuminate and inspire us with wisdom, courage, and the possibility of meaningfulness…."-Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

  
               
             
               
  (904) 261-0303
107 Centre Street - Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
  
               
 
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