Charis Books & More: The South’s Longest-Running Feminist Bookstore

In a city that’s constantly bulldozing its past to make way for the next apartment complex with “luxury” in the name, Charis Books & More is proof that some institutions aren’t just surviving — they’re thriving. Founded in 1974, Charis is not only Atlanta’s oldest independent feminist bookstore, it’s the oldest feminist bookstore in the entire South.

Which means when you walk through those doors in Little Five Points, you’re not just entering a shop. You’re stepping into living history. History that smells faintly of ink and revolution, with a side of sage and a staff recommendation list that could change your life.

The Legacy of Feminist Lit in the South
Charis started at a time when access to feminist literature — or even literature by women — wasn’t guaranteed. It became a lifeline for readers who craved stories outside the mainstream, and nearly fifty years later, it’s still holding that space.

Today, the store continues to center women’s voices, queer voices, and authors who challenge systems of power. Their shelves are stocked with feminist theory, LGBTQ+ memoirs, radical children’s lit, romance novels that actually reflect real relationships, and a whole lot more.

Charis isn’t just selling books; it’s curating resistance.

The Partnership with Agnes Scott College
In 2019, Charis partnered with Agnes Scott College, a liberal arts college in Decatur known for its progressive spirit and leadership programs for women. That partnership wasn’t just about survival — it was about planting roots for the next generation.

Now located in Decatur, Charis thrives at the intersection of community activism and academia. It’s where professors assign readings, students discover their first feminist texts, and authors come to speak about what it means to write at the margins.

Events That Change the Conversation
If you think Charis is just a shop, you haven’t been to an event.

The store’s calendar is stacked with readings, workshops, and community discussions that cover everything from reproductive rights to queer joy to writing craft. Authors like Roxane Gay, Audre Lorde, and Dorothy Allison have graced its spaces (and, in some cases, its well-worn couches).

And here’s the kicker: every event is intentionally accessible. Charis has built its reputation on being inclusive, safe, and welcoming to everyone who walks through the door — no gatekeeping, no side-eye. Just conversation, learning, and, yes, a little bit of bookstore magic.

Romance That Breaks the Mold
Now, let’s talk about romance. Charis isn’t interested in the cookie-cutter boy-meets-girl narrative. Their romance section centers queer love, feminist heroines, diverse authors, and tropes that don’t erase real-life complexity.

It’s where you’ll find sapphic slow burns, trans love stories, and romance novels that actually let women own their desire without apology. In other words: the real romance revolution is happening right here in Decatur, not in your Kindle Unlimited algorithm.

Why Charis Still Matters
Charis Books & More isn’t just about the books. It’s about the community. It’s about knowing that when Atlanta gathers to talk, protest, grieve, or celebrate, Charis is often the venue.

And in a South that’s still navigating who gets heard and who gets silenced, having a space like Charis isn’t just nice — it’s essential.

Plan Your Visit
📍 Charis Books & More
184 S Candler St, Decatur, GA
🔗 Website

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick browse, attending a workshop, or hunting down your next radical romance, carve out time. This isn’t a “ten minutes and done” stop. It’s a linger-and-soak-it-in kind of place.

Charis is proof that bookstores are more than retail. They’re resistance. They’re gathering places. They’re the blueprint for what community looks like when it’s centered on care.

So go — buy a book, join a circle, stay for the conversation. Because if Atlanta is going to keep moving forward, places like Charis are what will keep us grounded.

And when you’re ready to take what you read into the real world? Our AFK ATL events calendar has the feminist book clubs, author readings, and community meet-ups to keep your story going.