Georgia Center for the Book: Atlanta’s Hub for Readers, Writers, and Literary Events

The Georgia Center for the Book (GCB) is one of metro Atlanta’s most active literary hubs, especially if you love author talks, poetry readings, book discussions, and community programs centered around reading and writing. Based at the Decatur Library just east of downtown Atlanta, it serves the entire region with mostly free, public programs.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just trying to understand how this attraction fits into the local “things to do” landscape, this guide walks you through what the Center does, how to attend events, and how to make the most of it.

Where the Georgia Center for the Book Is and How It Works

Location (host site):

• Georgia Center for the Book at the Decatur Library
• 215 Sycamore Street
• Decatur, GA 30030
• Main phone (library): 404-370-3070

Decatur is just a short drive or MARTA ride from downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Inman Park, and other intown neighborhoods. While the Georgia Center for the Book is a statewide organization, its home base and most in-person events are hosted in the Decatur Library building, which makes it a convenient attraction for Atlanta-area residents and visitors.

The Center functions as:

• A presenter of literary events (author talks, panels, readings).
• A promoter of Georgia books and authors, through reading lists and recognition programs.
• A partner with local festivals and schools on literacy and arts programming.

Most programs are free, open to the public, and designed for all ages at different times throughout the year.

Why the Georgia Center for the Book Is a Top “Thing to Do” Near Atlanta

For many Atlanta residents, the Georgia Center for the Book is less like a one-time attraction and more like a recurring cultural stop. Here’s why it stands out in the local “Things to Do” scene:

• Free or low-cost events: Ideal for budget-friendly nights out.
• Indoor, year-round programming: Useful in Atlanta’s heat, humidity, or rain.
• Easy MARTA access: Decatur Station (Blue Line) is just a short walk away.
• Local + national authors: You’ll see everyone from Georgia writers to nationally recognized names.
• Family-friendly programs: Select events and reading initiatives are geared toward children and teens.

If you enjoy museums like the Atlanta History Center or cultural destinations like the Woodruff Arts Center, the Georgia Center for the Book offers a literary counterpart—more intimate and conversation-based, but just as rooted in local culture.

What You Can Do at the Georgia Center for the Book

1. Attend Author Talks and Book Launches

The Center regularly hosts author events, many held in the Decatur Library’s auditorium or meeting rooms. Atlanta-area book lovers can expect:

• New book launches with Q&A and signings
• Panel discussions on topics like Southern history, social issues, or fiction craft
• Genre-focused nights (mystery, poetry, children’s books, etc.)

These events often feature:

• Georgia-based writers
• Authors connected to the South
• Nationally-known authors on tour who include Atlanta/Decatur as a stop

Events are typically:

• Free to attend (some may require registration for crowd control)
• Held in the early evening on weekdays or weekend afternoons

This makes them an easy add-on for a weeknight outing from Atlanta neighborhoods like Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, or Virginia-Highland.

2. Explore Georgia and Southern Literature

A major role of the Georgia Center for the Book is to highlight books connected to Georgia—by subject, setting, or author.

They are known for curated lists such as:

• Books All Georgians Should Read
• Books All Young Georgians Should Read

These lists help:

• Atlanta parents looking for meaningful reading material for kids
• Book clubs seeking locally relevant titles
• Readers wanting to understand Georgia’s history, culture, and voices

If you live in Atlanta and want to read more “homegrown” work, these recommendations offer a guided path through Georgia literature without having to research everything yourself.

3. Join or Start a Book Club Experience

While book clubs may be organized by local libraries, schools, or independent groups, the Georgia Center for the Book often:

• Inspires book club picks through its statewide reading lists
• Supports discussions by highlighting theme-based books (civil rights, Southern food, environmental issues, local history, etc.)
• Partners with branches of DeKalb County Public Library and sometimes other organizations around metro Atlanta

If you’re part of a book club in Atlanta:

• Use the Center’s lists to choose books that connect more directly to Atlanta and Georgia.
• Look for author events you can attend as a group, then discuss afterward at a nearby Decatur restaurant or coffee shop.

4. Enjoy Programs for Kids, Teens, and Families

The Georgia Center for the Book is designed for all ages, and many of its initiatives support youth literacy and engagement. As an Atlanta-area family, you might find:

• Children’s book author visits at the Decatur Library
• Programs tied to school curriculums and reading initiatives
• Lists of recommended books for young readers in Georgia

Parents in neighborhoods like East Atlanta, Kirkwood, or Druid Hills often use the Decatur area as a convenient weekend destination. Pairing a children’s event at the Georgia Center for the Book with:

• A playground visit in downtown Decatur
• A meal at one of the many nearby kid-friendly spots

…can make for a simple, low-cost family day just minutes from Atlanta.

5. Engage With Atlanta’s Literary and Arts Community

The Georgia Center for the Book doesn’t operate in isolation—it frequently connects with:

• Local festivals (such as events held in Decatur and around Atlanta)
• Schools and colleges in the Atlanta metro area
• Libraries across DeKalb County and sometimes beyond
• Other arts and cultural organizations in the city

Participating in GCB events gives you a window into Atlanta’s broader literary scene, connecting you to:

• Poets, novelists, historians, and journalists
• Local booksellers and publishers
• Teachers, librarians, and community organizers

For new Atlanta residents, it’s a low-pressure way to meet people with similar interests.

Typical Visitor Experience: What to Expect When You Go

Here’s a quick overview to help you decide if a visit fits into your Atlanta plans.

Getting There from Different Parts of Atlanta

Because the Georgia Center for the Book is hosted in Decatur, transportation is straightforward from many parts of the metro area.

By MARTA

• Take the Blue Line (East/West line).
• Get off at Decatur Station.
• The library is a short walk from the station, just off the square.

This is especially convenient from:

• Downtown Atlanta (Five Points)
• Midtown (Arts Center Station, transfer at Five Points)
• Edgewood/Candler Park, Inman Park, and other intown stations on the same line

By Car

From central Atlanta neighborhoods:

• Head east toward Decatur, typically via Ponce de Leon Avenue, DeKalb Avenue, or College Avenue, depending on your starting point.
• Look for public parking decks and street parking around the Decatur Square area.
• Allow extra time for parking during weekday business hours or popular event nights.

Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips

To get the most out of the Georgia Center for the Book as an Atlanta attraction:

1. Check event details in advance

• Event times, room locations, and whether registration is needed can vary.

2. Pair your visit with other Decatur or Atlanta activities

• Before or after an author talk, explore:
  • The Decatur Square shops and eateries
  • Nearby parks and walking areas
  • Other cultural stops back in Atlanta, like museums or theaters

3. Think of it as a recurring Atlanta “go-to”

• Unlike one-time tourist attractions, the Georgia Center for the Book offers a rotating schedule of events.
• Atlanta locals often return frequently for different authors and themes.

4. Use it as a resource, not just a venue

• Explore its recommended reading lists to guide your Atlanta or Georgia-focused reading.
• If you’re a teacher, student, or book club leader in Atlanta, its programs and lists can help shape your activities.

Who Will Enjoy the Georgia Center for the Book Most?

This attraction is especially worthwhile if you:

• Live in or near Atlanta and want free, meaningful cultural events
• Are visiting and want something more local and low-key than typical tourist stops
• Enjoy hearing authors speak, asking questions, and getting books signed
• Are part of an Atlanta-area book club, school, or homeschool group
• Want to deepen your understanding of Georgia’s stories, history, and voices

If your ideal Atlanta outing involves big crowds, rides, or interactive exhibitions, the Georgia Center for the Book is quieter and more reflective. But for readers, writers, and anyone curious about Georgia’s literary landscape, it’s one of the most rewarding “Things to Do” near Atlanta—and one you can return to again and again as the lineup of events changes.