College Guide - Atlanta bookstores

A browsing tour of 12 shops

A CAPPELLA BOOKS Long-lived indie shop in Little Five Points boasts new/used offerings focusing on beat writers, radical politics and art/music/underground lit. Hosts author and live music events. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.--9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-8 p.m. 484-C Moreland Ave. 404-681-5128. www.acappellabooks.com.

ATLANTA BOOK EXCHANGE One of the few used bookstores left in the city, its creaky, musty and packed-full shelves are home to a small selection of books on nearly every imaginable topic. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. 591 N. Highland Ave. 404-681-3122.

BARNES & NOBLE @ GEORGIA TECH Not your run-of-the-mill B&N, the two-level store also houses the Tech bookstore, selling logo sweatshirts, Apple computers and assorted dorm gear. Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 48 Fifth St. 404-894-2515. www.gatech.bncollege.com.

BOOKS AGAIN Among the last of the old-school used bookstores, with tomes for collectors and casual readers. A browser’s paradise. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 225 N. McDonough St. 404-377-1444.

BOOK NOOK Nooks and crannies filled with used books, comics, CDs and videos. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. 3073 N. Druid Hills Road. 404-633-1328.

BOUND TO BE READ BOOKS Quality used and new books, spoken-word and open-mic nights, and the obligatory bookstore cat, Kona. Sun., 1-6 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 481-B Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-0877. www.boundtobereadbooks.com.

CHARIS BOOKS & MORE Atlanta’s own long-running lesbian/feminist/mystic bookstore also stocks CDs, gifts and jewelry, and hosts frequent in-store events. Mon.-Tues., 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. 1189 Euclid Ave. 404-524-0304. www.charisbooksandmore.com.

EAGLE EYE BOOK SHOP Full-service independent bookstore that carries new titles, but also buys and sells used books. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. 2076 N. Decatur Road. 404-486-0307. www.eagleeyebooks.com.

ENGINEER’S BOOKSTORE The Southeast’s largest technical bookstore stocks loads of engineering, medical, text and reference books. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 748 Marietta St. 404-221-1669. www.anthology.com/engineersbookstore.

TALL TALES BOOKS One of intown’s few remaining independent neighborhood bookstores, in the Toco Hills Shopping Center. With an emphasis on literature and a reputation for attentive customer service. Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 12:30-6:30 p.m. 2105 Lavista Road, Suite 108. 404-636-2498.

OUTWRITE BOOKSTORE & COFFEEHOUSE For many years, the epicenter of Atlanta’s gay/lesbian community. Outwrite is not only a great coffeehouse, it’s also one of the city’s finest independent bookstores. Daily, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. 991 Piedmont Ave. 404-607-0082. www.outwritebooks.com.

WORDSMITHS BOOKS Half bookstore, half coffeehouse in a former bank building on Decatur Square, with plenty of room for musical performances, readings and hanging out. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 545 N. McDonough St. 404-378-7166. www.wordsmithsbooks.com.