I don’t know why we’ve never noticed Charis Books and More on previous trips to Atlanta. I could use the excuse that we most often go at night and it’s set just far enough off of the main road that it is easy to miss. But we’ve gone often enough during the daytime that you’d think we’d have noticed it. Weird. Maybe the fact that we’ve missed it is part of what’s keeping Charis in financial trouble? Or maybe it’s just that small independent bookstores everywhere are suffering?
I made sure we visited this time. It was the least we could do since we all three really love our little women’s bookstore, Wild Iris and would be very sad if it closed. We even bought a little rubber wristband to support their cause. But, well, we weren’t really all that impressed.
We’ve heard about how great this bookstore and what we found was a pretty run of the mill woman’s bookstore. Nothing unusual or special about it. I’m not sure what we were expecting – something to live up to the hype? Oh well, that’s ok, it didn’t stop us from spending just shy of $100 in there, did it? Charis doesn’t have to be anything other than what it is to be worthwhile to the community. It was a nice, clean, well-lit bookstore full of interesting books. Tons of women’s literature, lots of GLBT books, a nice children’s section and TW’s favorite item, Pussy Pucker Pots (you’re welcome, TechnoDyke).
If you’re in Atlanta, visit L5P and be sure not to miss Charis set back just a tiny bit from Moreland, on Euclid. The oldest feminist bookstore in the south is worth a visit.
Technorati Tags: atlanta, charisbooks, l5p, feministbookstore, glbt
it is a cool bookstore but it used to be cooler before they moved…you still didn’t go to the other bookstore did you?
It moved? Where was it before? We walked passed it last trip but no we didn’t go in. Next time we will.
it used to be in the building across from the Point…there was some sort of ethnic art store there when we left…there was a loft and it was much homier and cozier…they did Thursday nite poetry readings and had some cool book signings…I saw Alice Walker there….
They still do poetry readings and signings – but I can’t imagine how they fit anyone in that place, there was barely room for two people to walk by each other. Unless there is a back room they open up. The couch area was really very tiny.
Alice Walker, what was that like????
the original store was much smaller…
Alice Walker was great…the g/f at the time and I went to Atlanta to see her speak at a luncheon then went to Charis for the signing…I can’t remember what she was promoting at the time…it must have been 87 or 88…I remember her being a little woman with big dreds and a bigger voice…
Hi, I work for Charis Circle, the non-profit that organizes the programs and events that take place in the bookstore. Just to clear things up, the book cases are all on wheels. When we hold events here (which we do at least once a week), we move the furniture and bring out folding chairs. We can hold about 50 people seated, but we recently discovered, when Alice Walker came back for a visit in November 06, that we can fit nearly 200 people in here if we provide standing room only.
We are always looking for feedback and suggestions, so please let us know when you have some. Next time you’re in town, check out what we have going on (events are posted on our website, chariscircle.org). You just might be in for a pleasant surprise! -kerrie