PACKING A BOOK FOR THE BEACH? It's as time-honored a tradition as digging out your lucky striped towel and favorite pair of sunglasses the moment the weather warms up. And whether the tome you select is a talked-about bestseller, a beloved re-read, or your child's must-have storybook, depends on how long you intend to linger by the water and who all is in your crew, of course. But the fact is that you like to have a few pages nearby, and preferably several thrilling chapters, because reading at the beach is as classic a summer pursuit as summer pursuits come. On occasion, though, a number of books show up on the sand, and they're not all stored in the single bag of a particularly tenacious reader. Rather, they're part of a special partnership between Santa Monica Public Library and the Annenberg Community Beach House, a happening that brings a "seaside pop-up library" to the historical landmark every now and again. The next date is on...
FRIDAY, AUG. 11, and a number of goings-on dot the Library at the Beach schedule, beyond the cool fact that dozens of books will show up near the surf. Some "fun, family friendly activities" are in the docket, and sand-ready games, too, like ladder toss. The Surfside Lounge? That's for paging through SMPL's "curated collection of beach reads," if you like. There's a storytime event, too, at 11 a.m., followed by bird watching (Santa Monica Audubon Society will be in the house, or, er, at the beach) and live steel drums. Are libraries and the ocean your two passions? Swing by and see this sweet sight, for a few hours only, on Aug. 11. Or, of course, just pack your favorite read and find your own little slice of silky-soft sand, whenever you can, the better to engage in a perfect, page-turn-able summer pastime.
