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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DT96L1Xs+SbAgxaujGZlUH9ghu5WHVwphkrE7/5//nX2jfqAltnH1BhvBoAKrMGT
 bpSEvKwvDzChtVlj08x8bA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891919-05-000011.txt : 20050128
<SEC-HEADER>0000891919-05-000011.hdr.sgml : 20050128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050128152635
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891919-05-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MASON J BARRY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001060337

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20664
		FILM NUMBER:		05558005

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		# 4 STADIUM DRIVE 420 ALSTON HALL
		CITY:			TUSCALOOSA
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35487
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2053488932

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOOKS A MILLION INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000891919
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				630798460
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		402 INDUSTRIAL LN
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35211
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2059423737

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		402 INDUSTRIAL LANE
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35211
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>jbarrymason012805_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000891919</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOOKS A MILLION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BAMM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001060337</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MASON J BARRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1># 4 STADIUM DRIVE 420 ALSTON HALL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TUSCALOOSA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>35487</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-incentive stock options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.62</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.62</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>J. Barry Mason</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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