2025 Decatur Book Festival - September 2025

Friday, Oct. 3: Evening Events

Kidnote 6 PM | Keynote 7 PM

Saturday, Oct. 4: Festival Day

10 AM - 6 PM

Decatur Book Festival celebrates 20 years with diverse lineup

By Collin Kelley

The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) will celebrate its 20th anniversary Oct. 3-4 with keynote events from Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas.

Thomas will headline the “kidnote” event on Friday, Oct. 3, in Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College. The bestselling author of “The Hate U Give,” Thomas returns with the highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller, “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi.”

Award-winning poet and cultural critic Jones will discuss his new anthology curated in collaboration with Maggie Smith, “The People’s Project – Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward.” Jones will be in discussion with anthology contributors Victoria Chang, Tiana Clark, and Aruni Kashyap on Friday, Oct. 3, in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Decatur.

“I’m honored to be participating in this anniversary milestone with the Decatur Book Festival,” Jones said in a statement. “Now more than ever, it is important to come together and discuss the art that moves and activates us. I look forward to celebrating ‘The People’s Project’ with Decatur’s literary community. Let’s get free together!”

DBF promises a weekend of live author Q&As, book signings and a plethora of

activities, entertainment, and exhibitors. Here’s a look at some of the author highlights for the main day of the festival on Oct. 4:

■ Jason Mott discusses his new novel “People Like Us” at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel.

■ Children’s authors Angela Pham Krans and Lynn Smith explore what it means to connect, forgive, and grow together at 10:45 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

■ Mary Roach returns to DBF with her new book “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy” at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel.

■ Authors Jonah McDonald and Zana Pouncey (coauthors of “Hiking Metro Atlanta’s Hidden Forests”) and Charles Seabrook and Ann Litrel (co-authors of “35 Natural Wonders of Georgia To See Before You Die”) discuss exploring Georgia’s natural wonders – from hidden hiking trails to Providence Canyon – at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott.

■ S. Jae-Jones, Megan Shepherd, Susan Dennard, and Adalyn Grace discuss their latest young adult fantasy novels, where magic turns perilous, friendships are tested, and dark forces rise. The talk is at 11:30 a.m. at the Decatur Library.

■ Biographers Susana M. Morris and Nicholas Boggs explore how personal histories, cultural shifts, and bold

imagination shaped two of the 20th century’s most prophetic voices –Octavia E. Butler and James Baldwin. 1 p.m. at the Marriott.

■ Nisha Sharma, Nia Davenport, Trung Le Nguyen, and Michelle Jabès Corpora discuss their new young adult fantasy novels at 1:45 p.m. at the Decatur Library.

■ Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey bring big laughs and big hearts in their children’s book “Link + Hud,” which is full of hijinks, mystery, and brotherly bonds. 2:15 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

■ Author Andrew Greer and Kim Carter Fuller share insights from "More Than a President," a moving tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter. 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

■ Tony-nominated playwright Kimberly Belflower returns to her Georgia roots to share her journey from Appalachia to Broadway and now to the big screen. Don’t miss a conversation about creativity and place, plus a live reading from her acclaimed play, "John Proctor is the Villain." 2:30 p.m. at Marriott Hotel.

■ Stacey Abrams returns with "Coded Justice," a new thriller exploring the dark side of AI in medicine. 3:45 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

■ In three powerful new novels, Sheri Joseph, Princess Joy Perry, and Angela Flournoy explore how loyalty, love, tragedy, and friendships shape our lives. 5 p.m. at Marriott Hotel.

The Emerging Student

Writers Stage at the Decatur Library will feature writers from Georgia colleges – including Georgia State University, University of Georgia, Mercer University, Georgia College and State University, and Kennesaw State University – reading original work. Readings will occur from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Poetry Stage will feature local poets reading from their latest work throughout the day on Oct. 4 at the Marriott Hotel. There will also be the Culinary Stage and the Georgia Grown Culinary Village featuring chefs, authors, and innovators, including Mary Shrader, Duane Nutter, Steven Satterfield, Annette Joseph, Belinda Smith-Sullivan, Kevin Mitchell & David Shields, Alan Byers, Joshua Swinney, Hank Shaw, Brandon Hurtado, William Dissen, and Natalie Keng.

The Task Force for Global Health will host “Atlanta Leaders on the Future of Global Health: A Community Dialogue” on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m., moderated by World Affairs Council President Rickey Bevington.

In addition to the authors, there will also be entertainment throughout the day on Oct. 4, including BOOM! Trio ft. Lavahi, Night Palace, improv from Dad’s Garage, Arkose, Rose Hotel, and Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics. Beloved Dillard, M.Div, DD, Poet Laureate, is emceeing the entertainment stage.

DBF will partner with Brave + Kind Bookshop, Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books, Tall Tales, and Little Shop of Stories as this year’s featured booksellers. All festival events are free and open to the public; however, advanced registration is encouraged for the keynote and the kidnote on Oct. 3 at decaturbookfestival. com.

Where to dine at the Decatur Book Festival

By Beth McKibben

Located east of Atlanta, Decatur offers residents a small-town vibe with big-city amenities, including a bustling downtown district home to a thriving restaurant and bar scene.

At just over 25,000 residents, Decatur has become one of Metro Atlanta’s most desirable places to live and draws thousands of visitors each year who come to dine at its many award-winning restaurants, all accessible via the MARTA station on Church Street.

From hearty breakfast fare and Indian street food to tapas and Korean barbecue, check out these restaurant suggestions the next time you visit downtown Decatur.

Pastries a Go Go pastriesagogo.com

235 Ponce De Leon Pl.

This popular breakfast and lunch spot changed ownership in 2024, but you’ll still find the restaurant serving its famous from-scratch cathead biscuits, brunch platters, and chicken salad sandwiches daily. Grab a pastry for the road, including sticky buns, Danishes, and muffins baked fresh daily.

Cafe Alsace cafealsace.net

121 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Open for lunch and dinner, pop into this small French restaurant specializing in Alsatian cuisine, including spaetzle, tarte flambee, and choucroute garnie (sauerkraut, sausages, potatoes). For dessert, order the seasonal tarte tartin. Not open on Sunday or Monday.

B-Side, The Deer and The Dove, Fawn deerdove.com

151 Sycamore St.,

119 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Owned by James Beard award-winning chef Terry Koval, B-Side serves Montrealstyle bagels in the morning, followed by quiche, fresh-made sandwiches, and meaty “pounders” like the chopped cheese and Reuben in the afternoon. Head to The Deer and The Dove next door in the evenings, where Koval and his team offer everything from crispy rabbit to duck fat-poached red snapper with cocktails and wine. Check out Koval's new wine and amaro bar, Fawn, next door to Cafe Alsace along East Ponce, Decatur’s main drag.

The Reading Room thereadingroomatl.com

429 Church St.

Located in the former Java Monkey space, The Reading Room offers Decatur a coffee shop and wine bar rolled into one. Expect coffee, tea, smoothies, and pastries in the

morning, followed by toasted baguette sandwiches and charcuterie and cheese boards with wine and cocktails in the afternoon and evenings.

Brick Store Pub brickstorepub.com

125 E. Court Sq.

This award-winning beer bar features an extensive list of local and international brews on tap, not to mention a beer garden behind the building, a cozy bar upstairs, and a cellar bar styled after a UK pub serving rare and vintage beers. There’s food, too, including giant soft pretzels, sandwiches, burgers, and fish and chips.

Victory Sandwich Bar and S.O.S. Tiki Bar vicsandwich.com

340 Church St.

For a quick lunch or dinner, Victory Sandwich Bar serves a menu of sliders, like the spicy Tea Bird chicken with ghost pepper jack cheese, or the Brisky Business with smoked brisket and provolone. At $6 a sandwich, you can order more than one. Add Victory’s popular Jack n’ Coke slushie for $5. Later in the evening, head down the small alleyway beside Victory for drinks and escapism at S.O.S. Tiki Bar.

The Iberian Pig iberianpig.com

121 Sycamore St.

A favorite for tapas and wine on Decatur Square, The Iberian Pig features dishes such as pan con tomate, patatas bravas, pork cheek tacos, and braised short rib empanadas. Order boards overflowing with a variety of cheeses and house-cured meats. Stop by after 4 p.m. for a snack and a drink during jamon happy hour.

Raging Burrito

ragingburrito.com

141 Sycamore St.

Raging Burrito has been a Tex-Mex staple on Decatur Square since 1996. As the name implies, the restaurant features more than a dozen burritos on the menu. Try the pineapple salsa jerk with a choice of chicken or tofu, the Baja fried fish, or the Toyoko teriyaki burrito. Like the burritos, there are plenty of margarita options on the menu and a sizable selection of tequilas to choose from behind the bar. Pro tip: Sit on the garden patio, especially on a pleasant day.

D 92 Korean BBQ

d92koreanbbq.com

225 E. Trinity Pl.

Owned by the team behind 9292 Korean BBQ, and just down the street from Decatur Square, D 92 serves KBBQ meats and seafood for grilling table-side. There’s also an all-you-can-eat KBBQ section.

Smiley’s Burger Club

IG @smileysburgerclub

310 East Howard Ave.

Smiley’s Burger Club keeps the burger simple and classic. Burgers come served as one, two, or three patties griddled and topped with American cheese, housemade pickles, and a riff on Big Mac sauce, accompanied by a side of seasoned fries or beef-tallow-fried smiley face fries. Beer and wine are available, along with desserts like sundaes and milkshakes.

Kimball House

kimball-house.com

303 E. Howard Ave.

This award-winning Decatur restaurant, housed in a former train depot, is known for its cocktails and wine, oysters, and French-Southern dishes, like caviar and middlins with Carolina gold rice grits, smoked fish tartine, and duck breast with seasonal vegetables. Martini lovers should

order the gin and French vermouth-based Kimball House.

Taqueria Del Sol

taqueriadelsol.com

359 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

A perennial favorite for tacos stuffed with fried chicken, vegan jalapeno refried beans, or spicy chopped smoked pork, Taqueria Del Sol often sees a line snaking out the door. But the food is worth the wait, as are the restaurant’s margaritas.

Chai Pani chaipani.com

406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

This restaurant from James Beard awardwinning chef Meherwan Irani features a menu of Indian street foods, including sev puri dahi puri (SPDP), chicken kathi rolls, butter chicken bowls, and daily daal. Order a cup of chai or a mango lassi. Want a cocktail? Try the Kerala Colada with

habanero-infused tequila or the Mohan's Old Fashioned with rum, chai syrup, and cardamom bitters.

Inner Voice Brewing innervoicebrewing.beer

308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Order a double IPA or Mexican-style lager

from this downtown Decatur brewery to pair with a pizza or slice from its in-house pizzeria, Brainwave Pizza. And for fans of Glide Pizza, not to worry. The brewery’s former pizza partner is moving just up the street and into the old Chando’s Tacos space on West Ponce.

VIKTOR&ROLF