books | ALXnow

Silent reading party with Halloween twist set for Oct. 18 in Old Town

Published October 13, 2025 at 3:30PM

Reading in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Settle back with a good book and relax next Saturday, because Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First Street) is hosting a silent reading party with a Halloween twist on Saturday, Oct 18.

Tickets for the event cost $39, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., book lovers can relax to live piano music in the hotel’s a.lounge+bar. The ticket also includes a festive cocktail, mocktail, and light bites, according to the event announcement. Old Town Books will also be on hand to provide a selection of seasonal books. More on the reading party is below.

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Award-winning author to read latest children’s book at Alexandria elementary school

By James Cullum

Published October 8, 2025 at 3:30PM

Award-winning author Chris Van Dusen will speak to kids at Cora Kelly School on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 (via Instagram)

Award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen will read his latest book to Alexandria kids next week.

Van Dusen will read from his book, “If I Built a Town,” to students at Cora Kelly School for Science, Math, and Technology (3600 Commonwealth Avenue) on October 15. Inspire Lit and Old Town Books sponsor the 9 a.m. event and is part of Van Dusen’s book tour.

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Inaugural Alexandria Book & Craft Festival bringing 14 artists, 25 authors to Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 7, 2025 at 10:00AM

The first-ever Alexandria Book and Craft Festival will be held in the Tavern Square courtyard behind 415 King Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2025 (courtesy image)

Local authors and artists will converge in Old Town later this month for the inaugural Alexandria Book and Craft Festival.

The free event from Elaine’s Literary Salon and Made in Alexandria will be held Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Tavern Square courtyard behind 415 King Street in Old Town’s Historic District. More than 15 artists and 25 authors will be on hand to display and sell their work.

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Alexandria libraries host used book sales in late September, early October

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2025 at 10:30AM

The annual used book sale at the James M. Duncan Branch library at 2701 Commonwealth Avenue in Del Ray is from Sept. 25 to 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Book lovers of all ages can get a chance to find some deals at two upcoming used book sales from the Alexandria libraries.

The first sale goes from Thursday, Sept. 25, to Sunday, Sept. 28, at the James M. Duncan Library (2501 Commonwealth Avenue) in Del Ray. Books will be priced at $4 for hardcovers and $2 for paperbacks, unless otherwise marked. Puzzles and games will also be on sale.

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Notes: Alexandria author explores grief and legacy in new short story

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 16, 2025 at 7:30AM | Updated August 17, 2025 at 7:19AM

The Man Who Owned a Plane Hardcover (via Amazon.com)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

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Harry Potter’s birthday to be celebrated at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2025 at 2:30PM

The laboratory on the second floor of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Attention all magic-loving muggles!

There’s a Harry Potter birthday tour on Sunday (July 27) at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S Fairfax Street) in Old Town.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 18, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated April 19, 2025 at 3:08AM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

We made it to Friday in Alexandria! Here’s a look at our top stories of the week.

Our top post was on the plan to close Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park for two years. It’s part of the city’s efforts to fight flooding by rebuilding sections of sea wall and installing a pump station to recirculate floodwaters to the Potomac River.

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Alexandria rec center hosting free kids book swap event this Friday

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2025 at 2:30PM

Old Town Books Junior at 130 S. Royal Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Kids and their parents can bring in gently used books to an Alexandria recreation center this Friday and swap them for fresh books from other locals.

The event, hosted by Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (40 Dale Street). The event is co-sponsored by the Duncan Library.

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Old Town bookstore Hooray for Books! closing at year’s end

By Vernon Miles

Published December 6, 2024 at 2:45PM

Horray for Books (staff photo by James Cullum)

Old Town bookstore Hooray for Books!, a beloved local spot for children’s books and author signings, announced that it will close for good at the end of this year.

In a message on the bookstore’s website, staff said the shop is fully stocked for the holidays but the store will remain closed in 2025 because the landlord is not extending the bookstore’s lease.

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Old Town book fair for adults planned for next week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 30, 2024 at 1:40PM

ALXnow editor Vernon Miles' bookshelf (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Any adult Alexandrians missing that high of browsing the Scholastic book fair at schools can get a hit of it at the Old Town Book Fair next week.

The Old Town Book Fair: Adult Edition is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, at Morrison House (116 S. Alfred Street) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

News

Here’s your guide to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated September 18, 2024 at 9:44AM

Flags from 20 Latin American countries are lining Market Square outside Alexandria's City Hall at 301 King Street for Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2024 (via City of Alexandria)

Hispanic Heritage Month just returned to Alexandria, and here’s how to celebrate.

Live music, author discussions and book readings are just a few of the offerings for the annual month-long recognition that officially kicked off this past Sunday (Sept. 15) in Del Ray.