Looking for a new book can be an exciting adventure for readers of all ages. Thankfully, Georgia is full of excellent local bookstores filled to the brim with every genre your family loves. Whether it’s a bedtime story or dad’s favorite spy novel, find a new title today at one of these seven local bookstores around Alpharetta.

Johns Creek Books and Gifts

A child lays on the floor to read a book he just bought from a bookstore in Alpharetta, Georgia

“Caught Reading” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by John-Morgan 

Johns Creek Books and Gifts is a local, woman-owned bookstore on Medlock Bridge Road. Book enthusiasts staff it, and they really know their stuff. So whether you’re looking for an expert recommendation for your next read or a thoughtful gift for that someone special, stop by the store.

Monthly book clubs meet at 1 p.m., and the whole family can get involved with various local community support programs that directly benefit Georgia’s needy families, like Blessings in a Backpack Food Drive. Johns Creek is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Posman Books

Stores like Posman Books are a cornerstone of Alpharetta’s premier Avalon community alongside other retailers like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. This family-owned independent mini-chain has been selling books for more than 20 years.

A 2012 New York Magazine pick for “Best Bookstore,” it offers a great selection of adult and children’s books, toys and games, and greeting cards, plus everything on its shelves meets the owner’s ridiculously high standards. Get your next new book from Posman’s every Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6.

Book Nook

Book Nook on North Druid Hills Road in Decatur delivers a phenomenal experience. Family-owned and operated since 1973, this buy-sell-trade shop offers a vast selection of books and used media. There are treasures for the whole family, from children’s and young adult books to vinyl and collectibles.

Drop by every Wednesday and swoop up new product releases in the comics section, then peruse thousands of books that come in every week. The Book Nook also has the books teachers assign to students on their summer reading lists. Shop this store for roughly 200,000 new and used:

  • Books.
  • Graphic novels.
  • Video games.
  • DVD and Blu-ray movies.
  • CDs.
  • Vinyl records.
  • Textbooks.
  • Toys.
  • Audiobooks.
  • Collectables.

Bookmiser

You’re bound to find a story you never knew you needed at Bookmiser. Its staff has the inane ability to put the right book in the right hands. This gem also hosts nearly a dozen monthly book clubs, periodic author meets and greets, regular book launches, and it touts the cozy ambiance of a library. Next time your child comes home from school with this year’s reading list, relax. Bookmiser stocks every required title.

With over twenty years of continued success, it’s a paradise for a family of avid readers as young as kindergarten because there’s something for everyone. There are 40,000 new and used titles under this roof, and if you can’t find what you need, the helpful staff will order it for you.

Whether dad is a die-hard sci-fi fan, mom wants contemporary fiction, or your kiddos are on book five of the Little Critter series, you’ll get a good deal here. Go ahead, separate, and wander the aisles of your choice. Then, everyone can meet up later with their picks at the checkout counter. Located on Roswell Road in Marietta, Bookmiser is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

And Thou Shalt Read

And Thou Shalt Read is a Jewish bookstore on Grimes Bridge Road in Roswell. The owner opened the shop in 2007 and dedicated the space to an extensive selection of religious books for adults and kids. Here you’ll find some of Alpharetta’s best literature for Jewish families.

Whether you’re shopping for Judaica, Bar Mitzvah, or Jewish holiday cookbooks, this is the right place for you. There are titles for your church or synagogue, business, sports, and pleasure reading. For the kiddos, there are many delightful items that incorporate fun and learning. First window-shop its online library, then stop by. This fantastic local faith-based shop is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday until 2. Its inventory includes:

  • Educational resources.
  • Gifts.
  • Special event books. 
  • Games.
  • Puzzles.
  • Posters.
  • Stickers.

Read It Again

A colorful cast of characters awaits you at Read It Again. This local bookshop has been serving Alpharetta families since 2002 from its location on Peachtree Parkway Suwanee next to Michaels. We all know that shopping locally benefits our community, and owners Della and Kim McNamara are here to serve. This friendly mother and daughter team is very well-read.

While you might find a book elsewhere, at Read It Again, you’ll feel like family. The McNamaras know their customers by name, and they work hard to connect with guests. Their attention to detail is what sets this shop apart. They carry new and used books and a lovely selection of gifts, cards, and novelties. Get to know the folks at this neat bookstore Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 to 5, and Sunday from noon to 5.

Word of Life Books

It can be challenging to find a Korean-American bookshop in the area. However, Word of Life Books in the Park Village shopping center has what you’re looking for. This beautiful retail outlet on Pleasant Hill Road offers Korean-Christian resources, language learning books, and unique gifts. The friendly staff keeps the store well organized, so it’s easy to find whatever you want. You might even discover a few surprises, like church supplies and musical instruments.

That’s a wrap! Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta put together this list of the city’s best local bookstores. Which one will your family explore first? Did we include your family’s favorite place to find a new read? If we missed it, let us know! We want to share your picks with other Georgia parents. Drop us a line right now!