BEACH READS You packed everything – or at least hope you have: swim suits, boogie boards, umbrella, and four kinds of sunscreen. You hand out the snacks and sand toys then breathe a sigh of relief as the kids start a sand castle project. Finally, you can relax and read your book. Your book? As in the one you left on your nightstand back home? Don’t fret! You’re on vacation at the Jersey Shore for crying out loud and fretting is not allowed! Just stop by the nearest bookstore and pick up one of these inspired choices.
Sea Isle City prides itself on being small-
er than the “big boy beaches” of Wildwood and Atlantic City. Everything is a bit scaled down here, and that’s just how they like it. Small arcades, amusements, and miniature golf courses dot the shoreline, and Sea Isle’s paved promenade is just a mile and a half long – the perfect length for an after beach stroll. Looking for something a little more
serene? The beaches in Stone Harbor and Avalon are among the finest in Southern New Jersey. This seven-mile stretch of white sand is clean, well guarded and not as crowded as other surrounding beaches. Ocean City has eight miles of beautiful
beaches and bay – that’s plenty of space for sunbathing, boating, fishing, jet skis and kayaking. And don’t forget the two-plus miles of Boardwalk with two amusement parks, a water park, go-carts, bike rentals and minia- ture golf. On the bayside, Corsons Inlet State Park stretches south of the parking lot to the bridge and some locals consider it a hidden secret, describing the seclusion, white sand and beautiful dunes as paradise. Maybe a family-friendly beach isn’t your
cup of tea. Looking for something a bit more sophisticated? Then head to Atlantic City, of course! With an impressive line of casinos that add energy and drama to the shoreline, AC beaches are interspersed with piers that jut out from the world- famous Boardwalk into the ocean. In Somers Point, the bay beach – at Bay
and Higbee avenues – has parking, restrooms, calm water – and no beach tags. The bay beach in Brigantine is used by the beach patrol for swimming lessons and when locals come by to watch they often stay to use the beach and picnic tables. The Cove, an unguarded stretch facing Atlantic City along Absecon Inlet, is popu- lar with boaters and attracts big crowds. Malibu Beach Wildlife Management
area in Egg Harbor Township is another popular spot, a free beach just east of the Ocean Drive bridge between Somers Point and Longport. The northern portion of Malibu Beach is closed to the public because of nesting beach birds and migrat- ing shore birds; the rest of the beach is open but unguarded. Maybe your idea of the perfect day at
the beach doesn’t involve crowds, schlep- ping beach chairs, or three layers of sun- screen? Not all Southern New Jersey beaches are geared for sun worshippers and boogey boarders. The Delaware Bay side beaches stretch from Sunset Beach in Lower Township up into Cumberland County. These quiet, untouched areas are very popular for jet skiing, fishing, kayak- ing and even windsurfing. But remember, unlike the ocean beaches, these bayside outposts are largely unguarded, so always use caution if you decide to take a dip. No matter which of our beautiful beaches
your flip-flops lead you to, you’ll be happy you’re here... and reluctant to leave! ■
ELECTION, by TOM PERROTTA: At this New Jer- sey high school, it seems that everyone has a secret or two. Tracy is the popular girl running for student body president. She is smart and pretty, but is she really as perfect as every- one thinks? Then there’s Paul, the lovable (but dim) football star who finds himself in the election against Tracy. And what about Mr. M, the “cool” teacher that everybody loves? He is certainly not what he seems. The plot of Election develops through a series of mini-chap- ters, narrated by these and other main characters. Who knew a student election could be so sordid, exciting, and fun!
BAYSHORE SUMMER, by PETE DUNNE: Dunne’s book is a bridge that links the rest of the world to this timeless land along Delaware Bay as he interacts with local residents hauling crab traps, baling salt hay, staking out deer poachers, picking tomatoes and more. From the shorebirds that con- verge by the tens of thou- sands to gorge themselves on the eggs of the horse- shoe crabs, to the delicious fresh produce that earned the Garden State its nick- name, from the line-drop- ping expectancy of party boat fishing to the water- man who lives on a first-
name basis with the birds around his boat, Bayshore Summer is an intimate portrait of a special place, a secret Eden and a glimpse into a world as rich as summer and as enduring as a whispered promise.
MEMOIRS OF A POLAR BEAR QUEEN, by IRENE JAMESON: Irene Jameson who established the Polar Bear Plunge in 1995 and reigned as the queen of this Sea Isle City event has compiled news clippings and photos into Memoirs of a Polar Bear Queen. Now 86 years old, Jameson made a name for herself – and Sea Isle City as well – by wearing eye-catching costumes each year and sitting on an ice throne. Memoirs of a Polar Bear Queen sells for$20.
Copies are also available by mailing a check or money order for $25 to 1500 Lan- dis Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243. For additional infor- mation, phone 609-263- 2968. Proceeds benefit autism research. ■
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