Book Hunting in Coweta

Written and Photographed by CAROLINE NICHOLSON

Whether tucked in the back left corner of a thrift store or filling floor-toceiling shelves in a bookstore, books are everywhere, sometimes in places you’d least expect them. With an ever-growing community of readers in Coweta County, reflected by the sheer number of book clubs in the county, the hobby of book hunting is growing. In Coweta County, there are tried and true stores where readers can buy books, but there are also places where books hide, waiting for a clever scavenger to seek them out.

The Obvious

Sometimes the easiest option is the right one; there are a lot of stores in the Coweta area that come to mind when searching for books.. There are, of course, national bookstore chains. But for readers looking for a more curated collection, Senoia and Newnan’s independent bookstores are new gems in Coweta.

Laura Meredith, owner of the Newnan Book Company, which opened its doors in April of 2022, spoke on her place in the book reading community. Not only does she host a monthly book club to serve local book fanatics, but she is also the first point of contact for many looking for suggestions. “The majority of customers come in looking to talk about things they’ve read,” says Meredith. “That’s awesome for me because it helps me curate the collection. But yes, when people walk into an independent bookstore, they are looking for recommendations or what’s new.”

Meredith also offers blind dates with books. She wraps the books so that the buyer can’t see what book it is and writes a short description on the wrapping paper. This is a great way for readers to discover new books and read something they might not have before, and it makes buying books more exciting.

Theresa Decker, owner of Senoia’s Book Love, which aptly opened its doors on Valentine’s Day of 2022, shared Meredith’s sentiment, saying that some of her customers rely on her to select books for them to read. Book Love also celebrates New Release Tuesday, which is a sort of holiday within the book-lover community. All new books are released on Tuesdays; Decker highlights these new books weekly with a table in the front of the shop.

Hidden Gems

For readers on a budget, bargain book hunting can morph into a scavenger hunt at times, but there are plenty of discounted books to be found in Coweta County. To start, just as Goodwill is a great start when looking for secondhand clothes or furniture, it's also a great place to find cheap books. Goodwill doesn’t always have the largest selection, but every once in a while they have the exact book you are looking for at a great price.

When it comes to thrift stores, the Salvation Army Newnan Service Center offers multiple shelves of used books for less than a dollar. On top of that, their books are often on sale for only a quarter each.

The A. Mitchell Powell Jr. Library in Newnan also showcases a collection of used, inexpensive books for sale at the front of the library.

Corner Arts Gallery and Studio in downtown Newnan is a hotspot for books by local authors. On bookshelves in the back of the store, behind all the charming arts and crafts for sale, Jenny Jones, owner of the Corner Arts Gallery and Studio proudly displays an array of books written by authors local to Coweta County. Her shop is a must-stop when looking to support locals.

So whether book hunting on a budget or just looking for your next read, Coweta County has an abundance of places to begin your search. NCM