Editor’s Note: This post was updated on July 23, 2021 to reflect the most up-to-date information for readers.
Here at Northern Virginia magazine, we can often be found with our noses in books and swapping the titles that have most recently captured our imaginations. Yes, exchanging physical books. We remain steadfast in our love of turning actual pages and visiting our local indie bookstores to get them. Here are some stores in the region we turn to again and again to fill up our shelves and add to our ever-growing reading lists.
Bards Alley
At this Vienna bookstore, Shakespeare meets Diagon Alley (hence the name) for a true literary getaway with over 5,000 titles on hand. 110 Church St. NW, Vienna
Bespoke Books and Archives
New to the local book scene is this Leesburg treasure. Bespoke Books provides book lovers a way to get their hands on limited prints and other hard to find books. Plus, the shop will help you build your own personal library, full of your favorite authors, subjects, and styles. 7 E. Market St., Ste. 101, Leesburg
Blue Plate Books
This sprawling Winchester store buys and sells used books along with out-of-print titles and rarities. 2257 Valley Ave., Winchester
Books and Other Found Things
Located in downtown Leesburg, Books and Other Found Things is full of charm. Art covers the walls and hangs from the ceiling, and there’s even a rocking chair to sit in while flipping through the store’s selection of used books along with titles from local writers. 13 Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg
Hooray for Books!
Books are stacked every which way on Hooray’s shelves to make room for its significant collection of used titles. The store frequently hosts author talks and book signings, live music, and children’s story time. 1555 King St., Alexandria
McKay
A huge space, McKay looks more like a library than an indie bookstore with rows and rows of shelves offering used titles. The store has since expanded to buy and sell CDs, vinyl, DVDs, and video games, too. 8345 Sudley Rd., Manassas
One More Page Books
In addition to its inventory of books, One More Page offers six book clubs and frequent author appearances, and discussions. 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Ste. 101, Arlington
Reston’s Used Book Shop
You could easily spend an entire day in between the shelves at this used book shop in Lake Anne Village Center, with chairs and stools tucked into any corner that isn’t already filled with books. The shop also hosts regular readings. 1623 Washington Plz. N., Reston
Riverby Books
The Fredericksburg used book store offers rare acquisitions and book repair services. 805 Caroline St., Fredericksburg
Scrawl Books
A bookstore for all ages, the Reston Town Center fixture provides a welcoming space for the community and helps contribute local literacy efforts. 11911 Freedom Dr., Reston
Winchester Book Gallery
Another Winchester store, this one focuses on new books. It also hosts regular events, including book signings, game nights, and frequent live music. 7 N. Loudoun St., Winchester
For more local shops around NoVA, subscribe to our Shopping newsletter.
