The Georgia Literary Road Trip Leads To 5 Incredible Bookstores And Libraries

I love reading. Like many bibliophiles, I find few things more comforting than visiting a bookstore. I admit, my to-read list is getting to the point that I'm probably not going to be able to finish it unless I make it to the age of 150, but the thrill of reading a synopsis and finding a new novel to delve into is just too tempting. That bookstore smell, the colorful spines all lined up neatly on a shelf, the variety of cover designs: it all combines to be outright heaven for those of us who love books. We're lucky enough to have some wonderful bookstores in Georgia, and if you're up for a real adventure, I think you'll love what we've got planned for you today. This Peach State road trip will take you to a few fantastic bookshops that are great for browsing and finding your next favorite book.

We love multi-day road trips, but this one will only take up an afternoon. You can check out the full itinerary on Google Maps. It's customizable, so feel free to add or remove stops to fit your schedule. The entire trip runs from Athens to just north of Atlanta, and while there's only a little over two hours of driving, you'll want to make sure you account for plenty of time to stop at each of these five independent bookstores.

We'll start this journey off in Athens at the bright blue Avid Bookshop tucked away in the bustling Five Points neighborhood. This is one of the most popular local businesses in the Classic City, and you'll find so much to enjoy here. I love spending time browsing through the shelves, and the handwritten employee recommendations are super helpful. The shop sells new books and has a huge selection, with everything from kids' books to non-fiction.

For your next stop, you'll head to the charming small town of Monroe, not too far from Athens. This is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon if you'd like to lengthen your trip a little bit, and it's home to The Story Shop. This colorful shop is the very definition of whimsical, with adorable murals on the wall and cute decor everywhere. This is a children's bookstore with a great variety of books for all young age groups, from early readers to young adult selections for teens. If you're bringing along the little ones, you may want to plan to spend a little extra time here.

I hope you've got a good audio book for the drive, because for your next stop, you'll be heading into Atlanta to visit A Cappella Books. This is one of the most popular bookstores in the state capital, and it's been in business since 1989. The shop specializes in both new and used titles, with a focus on non-fiction. You can find many signed editions here, and there are also regular author readings and other events on the calendar.

You'll next head to the North Druid Hills neighborhood to stop by the Tall Tales Book Shop. This independent bookstore has been selling new books since 1979 and is located not too far from the Emory University campus. Titles are available for special orders, and you can even have searches done for out-of-print books. The customer service here is great, and the staff are always happy to provide recommendations if you don't have a particular book you're looking for.

You might need a little caffeine for your ride home, so our last stop is Read Shop by the Merchant in the Vinings Jubilee Mall. This bookstore and coffee shop not only has a variety of great titles to choose from but you can also enjoy freshly roasted Stumptown Coffee. If you ask me, nothing pairs better than coffee and a book, so this sounds like the perfect end cap to this literary road trip in Georgia.

If you love supporting local independent bookstores but aren't able to make this road trip right now, don't fret! Bookshop.org donates a portion of each sale to local indie bookshops all over the country and delivers books right to your door.