Lauren Gonzalez started writing a blog about places to visit in Florida six years ago, near the start of her quest to visit all the state parks.
Now, that passion for Florida tourism has transferred into her new book, “100 Things to Do in Gainesville Before You Die.” The book explores activities and attractions in Gainesville and the surrounding area.
The book is less than 150 pages long, with photos, tips and extra suggestions tucked between one-page descriptions of Gonzalez’s 100 things to do. The main 100 things are split into five categories: food and drink, music and entertainment, sports and recreation, culture and history, and shopping and fashion.
At the back of the book, Gonzalez included breakdowns of seasonal activities and suggested itineraries.
With space for only 100 entries, Gonzalez said one of the most difficult parts of putting the book together was choosing what to include and what to leave out, especially in the restaurant category.
“My criteria, I would say, was trying to find a good balance between having some of the more classic, well-known restaurants and… anything in the book, and including more hidden gems, and then trying to pick activities that everybody could enjoy, that weren’t extremely expensive or hard to get to, or things like that,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said she is a nature-lover at heart, which is what originally led her to start her travel website, and part of what made exploring the Gainesville area as a researcher enjoyable to her.
“Gainesville has such a unique natural landscape, like we have Paynes Prairie [Preserve State Park], which is one of the only things like that in this region,” Gonzalez said. “And where else can you climb into a sinkhole, like at Devil’s Millhopper?”
Gonzalez’s website covers locations from St. Augustine to the Dry Tortugas National Park, but, she said, “it always comes back to Gainesville.” When Reedy Press approached her about writing a Gainesville book for its “100 Things” series, Gonzalez said she was thrilled to write the guidebook to her town and the surrounding area.
Even after living in Gainesville for 20 years with a love of exploration, Gonzalez said she herself learned more about the area during her research for the book.
She said “100 Things” should be helpful for longtime residents looking for something new to do or a resource for planning, and for new residents and students who need a starting point to explore their new home.
“I hope it’s really geared towards everybody,” Gonzalez said.
The book is available at reedypress.com and at other national booksellers. Signed copies are available at 108 Vine in Gainesville, and copies will also be available at Gonzalez’s upcoming book signing events throughout August and September:
Book Signing
Thursday, Aug. 1, from 5 – 8 p.m.
Swamp Head Brewery
3650 SW 42nd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 505-3035
Free and open to the public
Book Signing
Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5 – 7 p.m.
The Laurel Oak Inn
221 SE 7th St., Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 373-4535
Free and open to the public
Book Signing
Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
108 Vine
3735 W University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32607
Free and open to the public
Book Signing
Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
AUK Market
2031 NW 6th St., Gainesville, FL 32609
Free and open to the public
Book Signing
Saturday, Aug. 24, from 4 – 6 p.m.
superette
1511 NW 2nd St., Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 451-4144
Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing
Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 7 – 9 p.m.
Matheson History Museum
513 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 378-2280
Free and open to the public
Will there be copies of the book for sale at the signing? I’ve tried ordering it online but it’s “out of stock” – thank you!