EXHIBIT 99.2

BOOKS-A-MILLION News Release

402 Industrial Lane
Birmingham, AL  35211
205-942-3737

Contact:     Richard S. Wallington
             Chief Financial Officer
             (205) 942-3737





                         BOOKS-A-MILLION, INC. ANNOUNCES
                              SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN


     BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 17, 2004) -- Books-A-Million, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:BAMM)
today  announced  that its Board of  Directors  has  authorized  the  Company to
purchase up to 1.6 million shares,  or 10%, of the Company's common stock.  Such
repurchases  are expected to be made in open-market  or negotiated  transactions
from time to time as market  conditions  warrant,  at prices the  Company  deems
appropriate.  Books-A-Million  currently has  approximately  16.5 million shares
outstanding.

     Books-A-Million  is one of the nation's leading book retailers and sells on
the Internet at www.booksamillion.com. The Company presently operates 202 stores
in 18 states and the District of Columbia.  The Company  operates  four distinct
store  formats,   including   large   superstores   operating  under  the  names
Books-A-Million  and Books & Co.,  traditional  bookstores  operating  under the
names  Books-A-Million  and Bookland,  and Joe Muggs  Newsstands.  The Company's
wholesale operations include American Wholesale Book Company and Book$mart, both
based in  Florence,  Alabama.  NetCentral,  Inc.,  an Internet  development  and
service Company is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

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