Books To Be Red

We love this place and makes point to stop at least once during each visit. We used to go for the great gifts and for summer reading, but now that we have a young child, we love the toy selection, too. Very quaint, well-​stocked shop.

Books To Be Read is an amazing bookstore and gift shop. A well stocked children’s book area and interesting books for adults. There are many books about the local history and novels written with Ocracoke as the setting. The gift part of the store has many unique items. Be sure not to miss this shop on your visit to Ocracoke!

There’s lots of great reading packed into a small space at Books to be Red. It’s obvious whoever selects the stock has terrific taste. If you’re looking for a great beach read that’s thoughtful and challenging, this is the place to find it. There’s also a lot of beautiful merchandise that will serve as souvenirs of Ocracoke. Do yourself a favor and stop in… you will be delightfully surprised.

A for effort.
I went in to get my regular fix of David Sedaris books. Sadly, they didn’t have his latest, but a staff member told me to come back on Thursday after 2:00 when the next shipment was in. Well, it’s Thursday and I was all abuzz for some great beach reading. I came around 2:30, and while the shipment came, the presumed owner let me know that there was a mistake, and the book was on backorder. BAH! I appreciated the staff letting me know when it would be in, but bummed it didn’t work out. Overall, the store is awesome. Beyond the books they have great toys, games, jewelry, and gifts. Totally worth a stop-​in.

Simply put, this is a great little bookshop on Ocracoke Island. Books to be Red offers a more than decent selection of both adult and children’s titles with a great section dedicated to local reads as well. However, what truly gives this shop its character and charm is the wide assortment of locally crafted jewelry, candles, blown glass, vases, handmade journals, and the like. It’s certainly tough to walk out of this shop empty handed!
Furthermore, the staff members are super friendly and welcoming, which only heightens the wonderful ambiance that is ever present in this creaky and cozy building.
So if you’re lucky enough to be on Ocracoke, be sure to stop in and pick up a paperback to tote back to the beach with you!

This is a must-​visit on any trip to Ocracoke. What a great selection of books, gifts, local offerings, jewelry, and kid’s stuff. I make a point to hit this place last because I always buy so much stuff, I don’t want to carry it around the island. I always find an interesting book (or 10) and amazing kid’s toys and books. It is a very well-​curated store.
The building is one of the best parts, with its old porch and creaky wooden floorboards and meandering rooms. It’s like the Outer Banks embodied in a building. I will be back year after year, until they offer me a place to stay, and then I’ll just move in. :)