What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 7pm Tuesday 10am - 7pm Wednesday 10am - 7pm Thursday 10am - 7pm Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 7pm

Old Town Books

Alexandria's new neighborhood bookstore!
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06/18/2026

Join us Wednesday, July 1, for an evening with award-winning author and investigative journalist John A. Jenkins as he discusses his new book, SUMMER OF '71: FIVE MONTHS THAT CHANGED AMERICA.

John will be joined by novelist L.M. Elliot, whose YA novel TRUTH, LIES, AND THE QUESTIONS IN BETWEEN is set during the same pivotal era.

Together they'll explore the events that shaped America in 1971, the process of researching historical fiction and nonfiction, and the stories that emerge when we look closely at the past.

The conversation will be followed by audience Q&A and a book signing.

06/17/2026

A new month means a fresh stack of book club picks. 📚

From swoony romances and q***r fiction to science fiction, literary favorites, and twisty mysteries, our July book clubs have something for every kind of reader.

✨ Q***r Book Club: Bromantasy by Máire Roche (7/10)
✨ Bad Romance Book Club: Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian (7/17)
✨ Fiction Book Club: They All Fall in Love at the End by Haili Blassingame (7/21)
✨ Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Palmer (7/24)
✨ Good Yarn Book Club: Retro by Jessica M. Goldstein (7/27)
✨ Murder by the Book Club: Molka by Monika Kim (7/28)

Whether you're a longtime member or thinking about joining for the first time, we'd love to read with you this summer.

Which one are you most excited about?

06/16/2026

July is packed with mysteries, history, literary adventures, and plenty of reasons to visit the bookstore.

From uncovering the story behind one of America's most pivotal summers to diving into twisty thrillers and true-crime investigations, we've got a full month of author events ahead. Plus, Find Waldo Local returns to Alexandria all month long, culminating in our annual celebration on July 31.

Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and join us for a month of books, conversation, and community.

July 2026 Events

🔍7/1 Find Waldo Local Kick Off

☀️7/1 Author Event: John A. Jenkins

🕵️7/13 Author Event: Aggie Blum Thompson, Jennifer Pashley, and Johanna Copeland

🚢7/29 Author Event: James Renner

🎉7/31 Find Waldo Local Celebration

06/15/2026

If you're going to cry this summer, you might as well cry over a really good book.

Not because you dropped your ice cream. Not because your beach umbrella blew away. Not because you accidentally opened your work email on vacation.

We're talking about the kind of crying that starts with "I'll just read one more chapter" and ends with you staring at a wall wondering how fictional characters can hurt your feelings so badly.

From slow emotional builds to devastating final pages, these are the books that will leave you reaching for tissues, texting your friends, and immediately recommending them to everyone you know.

Pain? Yes.
Regret? Never.

Find our favorite tearjerkers and more in this year's Summer Reading Guide, available in store now.

06/13/2026

Have you tried StoryGraph yet?

We've been loving it as a way to track our reading and discover new books. The recommendations are thoughtful, the stats are genuinely useful, and we especially love being able to search by mood, pace, and reading preferences.

It feels like a platform designed by readers, for readers.

If you're looking for a fresh way to organize your reading life, track your goals, and find books you'll actually enjoy, StoryGraph is worth a look.

We made the switch and haven't looked back.

Comment "SWITCH" and we'll send you info on how to move your library over to StoryGraph.

06/11/2026

Join us on Monday, June 22, at the bookstore for a special event with local author Jessica M. Goldstein to discuss her debut novel, RETRO, a rollicking, speculative tale of an out-of-work actress who gets a job as a tour guide for an ultra-luxury time travel company—only to discover her trips to the past could upend her present!

Jessica will be in conversation with fellow local author Kate Myers. They'll discuss Jessica's inspiration, writing process, and more. Following the discussion, both authors will sign copies of their books.

06/09/2026

Even booksellers get stuck in reading ruts.

When that happens, our team has a few tried-and-true tricks: pick up something completely different than your usual genre, read a middle grade novel in a single weekend, revisit a favorite author, or ask another bookseller what they can't stop recommending.

Sometimes the cure isn't reading more. It's reading differently.

If you've been struggling to find your next great read, stop by and tell us what you've loved in the past. Helping readers find the right book is kind of our thing.

What's your favorite way to get out of a reading rut?

06/08/2026

Pride has always been about visibility, community, and celebrating exactly who you are.

At Old Town Books, we’re proud to be a q***r woman-owned bookstore. That identity has shaped the kind of space we’ve worked to build: one that welcomes everyone, champions diverse voices, and believes stories can help us better understand ourselves and each other.

To celebrate Pride Month, our Be Gay, Read Books tees are 25% off. Wear your love of books proudly, support an independent bookstore, and help us keep sharing stories that matter.

Happy Pride, Alexandria. 🌈📚

06/04/2026

New Fabled Ice Cream flavors are coming 👀🍦

Inspired by stories. Tested by the team.

Stay tuned for release dates—and come grab a scoop soon

06/03/2026

Join us on Saturday, June 20, for a special event with Alice Martin to discuss her debut novel, WESTWARD WOMEN, a hypnotic and hopeful debut—part fever dream, part dystopian road trip that claws its way towards a jaw-dropping finale.⁠
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Alice will be in conversation with local author Jessica Spotswood. They'll discuss Alice's inspiration, writing process, and more. Following the discussion, both authors will stick around to sign copies of their books.⁠
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Get your ticket & join us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-event-alice-martin-in-conversation-with-jessica-spotswood-tickets-1989118338496?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Address

130 South Royal Street
Alexandria, VA
22314

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 7pm
Tuesday	10am - 7pm
Wednesday	10am - 7pm
Thursday	10am - 7pm
Friday	10am - 7pm
Saturday	10am - 7pm
Sunday	10am - 7pm

Telephone

+17036479749

Website

http://www.oldtownbooks.com/

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