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The week of August 12, 2025 The Bookstores of Atlanta (Part II) Welcome to "Part II" of the SBR tour of Atlanta area bookstores! The shops SBR has featured this week and last were all on a tour as part of the big booksellers’ "New Voices New Rooms" conference in Atlanta last week. It should be noted, however, that they represent only a fraction of the many wonderful independent bookstores in the Greater Atlanta area. The "bookstore crawl" hosted by area bookstores during Independent Bookstore Day in April features more than 30 bookstores, and that is hardly a comprehensive list. Atlanta is a hub not just of airlines, but of a vibrant literary and readerly community. 
Little Shop of Stories, located on Decatur square, is an award-winning children’s bookstore for the kids and the grownups they become. At its core, it has been the mission of Little Shop of Stories to foster empathy, creativity, and bravery in children through books and to develop in kids a love of reading. They also host the Little Shop of Stories Children’s Book Festival. Learn more by following them @littleshopofstories. 
Eagle Eye Book Shop is a general bookstore dealing in newly published books, used books, and book related merchandise. With about 5,000 square feet, all readers will find something to their liking. Eagle Eye hosts over 150 author events per year and has many signed and collectible books, a very strong general fiction and sci-fi section, Southern fiction, and history. Learn more by following them @eagleeyebooks. 
Tucked inside East Atlanta Village, Bookish is an indie bookshop with a focus on diverse fiction. They are proudly queer-owned, women-led, and community-focused. Bookish carries books that reflect the real world and seeks to elevate the voices of traditionally marginalized authors and brave thinkers. They believe that stories change the world and that every story matters. Learn more by following them @bookishatlanta. 
44th and 3rd Bookseller is a family-owned, multi-cultural book and culture brand headquartered in the heart of Atlanta, GA. Its founders, Warren, Cheryl, and Allyce Lee, established the brand in 2017, and their mission is to continue a source of unbiased literature that is true to the rich culture of excellence experienced and expressed in the Black community world-wide. Learn more by following them @44thand3rdbookseller. 
The Lavender Bookshop is the only exclusively LGBTQ+ bookstore in the metro Atlanta area. The store carries hundreds of stories where the central character or theme of the book is LGBTQ+. They hope to be a mecca where readers can go to escape anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Learn more by following them @lavenderbookshop. 
The Book Worm strives to bring the best in literature, from international best sellers to local literary giants, to a vibrant growing community that is as diverse as the books on their shelves! They’re very involved in the community, including hosting One Book One City and the Book Worm Book Fest. Learn more by following them @shopthebookworm. 
All Things Inspiration Giftique is a family and Black owned Christian bookstore in Mableton, GA who serves their community with a carefully curated selection of bibles, Christian literature, church supplies, African American literature, gifts, and more. Learn more by following them @allthingsinspirationgift. Bookstore profiles by Candice Huber, SIBA Membership Coordinator.
Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti Adult Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Romance I’ve never possessed an ounce of chill in my life, and I’m certainly not going to find some when it comes to this book! I have adored secret Gothic novelist, and phenomenal actress, Georgiana since we first met her in Ne’er Duke Well, and have been anxiously awaiting the day when I would hopefully be able to throw her story at anyone with even a passing interest in it, so imagine my utter joy when I discovered that not only was she getting a book of her own, but that it would be a sapphic one at that!! I’m positively FERAL for this story y’all! I want nothing more than to bury myself in its pages, and live there for eternity! Alexandra Vasti literally never misses, and Georgiana and Cat’s story is a shining example of that! Reviewed by Lucile Perkins-Wagel, Blinking Owl Books in Fort Myers, Florida |
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Zomromcom by Olivia Dade Adult Fiction, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires What a crazy ride! I mean, we were running into the arms of danger on page one! This book was hilarious, but also had me on edge because of the freaking zombies! Edie is amazing, and if I had the confidence to try to save someone with a burrito and pure determination, I think I would be considered a superhero. Max is prickly and a bit of a pessimist, but he treats Edie with such care, ahh, it is scrumptious. I mean if I could fall in love with a grumpy, flawless, not afraid to wear a thong vampire in the middle of an apocalypse, I would! Here for the adventure, staying for the romance, NO ONE….. does paranormal romance like ZOMROMCOM.! Reviewed by Mekhala Villegas-Rogers, Tombolo Books in St Petersburg, Florida |
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Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle Adult Fiction, Bisexual, Cosmic & Eldritch, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ+ Lucky Day is a ROLLER COASTER. An existential CRISIS. A foray through the blood and guts of reality itself to the abyss at the heart of it all, where you just have to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well? Do ya? •••••• I loved this scifi-heavy romp of a story where the true horror is existence itself. Or is it? Chuck Tingle weaves an intricate web of sharp nihilism, absurdity, and genuinely creepy moments, building a structure upon which rests the ultimate truth: life is chaos, and existence is precious. I laughed, I shuddered, I cried. I finished this book at 2:00 a.m. this morning and am still processing all its truths. In fact, I’ll be thinking about it for a very long time. 5/5 stars, 10/10 recommend. Reviewed by Rachel Derise, Friendly City Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Rose in Chains by Julie Soto 
One of the things that I love about reading and writing fanfiction is the immersion. I don’t have to explain to you what The Force is or what a lightsaber is. In fact, I don’t have to know what it is myself, but we can use these magics and sci-fi things to move the story along. We don’t have to set anything up. I never felt like I was someone who knew how to set anything up. I didn’t ever need to flex that muscle of world-building as a writer. I didn’t have to describe a new political climate or create a new magic system…One of the things that’s really exciting to me about Rose in Chains is that opportunity to take something that worked really well and meant a lot to me and getting to actually flex those world-building muscles now. Even beyond the Rose in Chains trilogy, if I wanted to continue writing fantasy, it doesn’t feel as daunting anymore. It’s another new genre to play with, and that’s the fun part. ― Julie Soto, Interview, Swoon Rose in Chains by Julie Soto 
Julie Soto is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, playwright, and actress originally from Sacramento, CA. Her musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for her script. She is a musical theater geek, fandom nerd, and the author of many spicy fan fictions. Julie now lives in Fort Bragg, CA, with her dog, Charlie. She is probably drinking coffee as you read this. |
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The Call of the Honeyguide by Rob Dunn Adult Nonfiction, Natural History, Science A challenging new take on responding to climate change. Dunn asks readers to learn about how humans have interacted with other beings (animals, plants, insects) and how we might act in the future to the benefit of all. He offers plenty of examples, differing opinions, and humor to balance the data. Definitely one to put on your climate change shelf. Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina |
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A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Thrillers & Suspense, Wizards & Witches, Young Adult Fiction Witchcraft, ghosts, cults, and romance! I was stressed out at every turn, worried about this teen friend group’s safety and sanity. Reviewed by Eden Haymon, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana |
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Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan Matari Childrens, Juvenile Fiction, Middle Eastern & Arab American This beautiful picture book inspired by the true story of the author’s grandfather being expelled from Palestine during the Nakba is a true honoring of Palestinian culture and a celebration of love, belonging, and connection to the land. The gorgeous illustrations and story about discovering who you are through the land made me cry into my coffee. A truly wonderful book that belongs on every child’s shelf! Reviewed by Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana |
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Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction It’s Sue’s first time at summer camp, and she is so excited! She knows exactly what she wants to do and can’t wait to do it all with her best friend. She soon finds that things don’t always pan out the way we plan, but sometimes that can lead to something better. Miss Camper is a fun, enjoyable read full of adorable illustrations. It is an all-around fun-filled adventure you won’t want to miss! Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmarks in Marietta, Georgia |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas Adult Fiction, Banned Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance This series just gets better and better. New characters, battles, love, loss, surprises galore, and characters resurfacing! What a wild ride! Reviewed by Courtney Niederer, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
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Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik Adult Nonfiction, Bestsellers, Biography & Autobiography, Entertainment & Performing Arts "Art, my God, Joan, I’m embarrassed to mention it in front of you, you know, but you mentioned burning babies in locked cars so I can mention Art." Eve Babitz to Joan Didion, 1972. In this blazing memoir, one feels like they’re out for drinks discussing ’70s Hollywood sleaze, female chauvinist pigs, and Charles Manson with your wildly messy and entertaining friend. Anolik’s powerful storytelling and adept reporting remind one of Eve Babitz, the "secret genius of L.A." Oscillating between moments of unbelievable grief, Didion-esque cold distance, and the hot it-girl urge to push it all away, this memoir is a testament to artists, their craft, and the lovers’ spat between two of the greatest Californian writers of our time. Reviewed by Joshua Lambie, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.” |
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Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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