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ADULT WINTER READING


To celebrate Love Your Library Month, the Library is hosting its annual Adult Winter Reading Contest.

Starting February 1st, customers are encouraged to stop by any Alexandria Library branch to learn more about the Adult Winter Reading program.

By reading one book or listening to one audiobook, you can be entered to win a gift card. You can fill out an entry form at any of the branches or participate at alexandria.beanstack.com. Maximum of five entries per customer.

Physical entries must be submitted by Tuesday, February 28, 2023. 

 

BOOK MATCH

What are your favorite types of books? What book can you not live without? 

Fill out a short questionnaire and receive a personalized list of book recommendations hand-picked by our staff.

 

GET A BOOK MATCH

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Browse genres, search for a title or author, review booklists and more.

 

ACCESS BOOKS AND AUTHORS

 

 VIEW TUTORIAL

 

NOVELIST

Find book recommendations based on appeal factors, curated lists, and read-alikes for titles you enjoy.

 

ACCESS NOVELIST

 

 VIEW TUTORIAL

Staff Picks for eBooks & Audiobooks

 

They Will Drown in Their Mothers' Tears The Alienist The Goldfinch A Mind Unraveled Manhattan Beach Dark Places

Upcoming Events
Sat, Sep 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, and food! The fiesta will take place outside in Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden. All ages.

Sat, Sep 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Burke Branch Meeting Room

Sun, Oct 01, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Sun, Oct 01, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
This is a twice-monthly forum for writers to network, share moral support, and offer constructive criticism. Meets first and third Sundays. All are welcome!

Rescheduled
Sun, Oct 01, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
New date Wednesday, November 08, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Hey puzzle fans. Looking for a new challenge? Come to our puzzle swap and trade in your old puzzles for new ones.

Sun, Oct 01, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Write a letter or email to an author whose books have been banned or challenged. Postcards and pens will be provided.

Mon, Oct 02, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Mon, Oct 02, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Step right up folks! Come to The Muted Midway. Work your way through the thrill-less games of censorship and suppression. Then enjoy a sweet book treat at the Freedom to Read concession stand.

Mon, Oct 02, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration. Class held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.

Mon, Oct 02, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for a screening of the documentary Judy Blume Forever in celebration of Banned Books Week.

Canceled
Mon, Oct 02, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
This is a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence.

Tue, Oct 03, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Tue, Oct 03, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Step right up folks! Come to The Muted Midway. Work your way through the thrill-less games of censorship and suppression. Then enjoy a sweet book treat at the Freedom to Read concession stand.

Tue, Oct 03, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Beginning English Practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English.

Tue, Oct 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Learn basic line dance steps while you workout to Golden Oldies music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

Tue, Oct 03, 11:00am - 11:45am
Zoom
Join us for this virtual presentation with Keith Weimer, Librarian for History & Religious Studies at the University of Virginia and chair of the VLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.Register

Tue, Oct 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!Register

Wed, Oct 04, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Wed, Oct 04, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Step right up folks! Come to The Muted Midway. Work your way through the thrill-less games of censorship and suppression. Then enjoy a sweet book treat at the Freedom to Read concession stand.

Wed, Oct 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
This is a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence.

Wed, Oct 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Take a guided virtual tour of Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso, Texas, part of the U.S. National Park Service in El Paso, Texas with NPS Ranger J.R. Lujan.Register

Wed, Oct 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Zoom
Join us for a free one-hour meditation class lead by our Friends at Yoga in Daily Life! Open to everyone and all levels

Wed, Oct 04, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Elaine's Restaurant - 208 Queen Street
Celebrate your right to read during Banned Books Week. The Barrett Branch is partnering with Elaine's Restaurant at 208 Queen Street in Old Town to host. Admission is free.

Thu, Oct 05, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Thu, Oct 05, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Step right up folks! Come to The Muted Midway. Work your way through the thrill-less games of censorship and suppression. Then enjoy a sweet book treat at the Freedom to Read concession stand.

Canceled
Thu, Oct 05, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Beginning English Practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English.

Thu, Oct 05, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join us the first Thursday of the month to discuss titles chosen by the club members!

Thu, Oct 05, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a screening of the film "Kite Runner" at the library on October 5 and join our online Zoom discussion of the novel by Khalid Hosseini on October 18 in celebration of Banned Books Week. Register

Thu, Oct 05, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate to those in need.

Thu, Oct 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Thu, Oct 05, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!

Thu, Oct 05, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Join Jorge Banales as he gives instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.

Thu, Oct 05, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A dedicated hour to share and critique each other's creative work

Thu, Oct 05, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Teen Area
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 12+

Fri, Oct 06, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Fri, Oct 06, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Step right up folks! Come to The Muted Midway. Work your way through the thrill-less games of censorship and suppression. Then enjoy a sweet book treat at the Freedom to Read concession stand.

Fri, Oct 06, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us to learn about low vision resources.

Sat, Oct 07, All day
Your book shelf, favorite reading nook, or the Banned Books display at your local branch!
Share your favorite banned books!

Sat, Oct 07, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Step right up folks! Come to The Muted Midway. Work your way through the thrill-less games of censorship and suppression. Then enjoy a sweet book treat at the Freedom to Read concession stand.

Sat, Oct 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A sex-repulsed woman who disapproves of her sister's boyfriend sinks into depression and has horrific visions of rape and violence.

Sat, Oct 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Feel the rhythm in the beat and learn new Latin style dances

Sat, Oct 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Sun, Oct 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!

Tue, Oct 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Beginning English Practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English.

Tue, Oct 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Learn basic line dance steps while you workout to Golden Oldies music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

Tue, Oct 10, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Come hear local author Ted Pulliam discuss his new book.

Wed, Oct 11, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
Join us for an online discussion of Nita Prose' suspenseful mystery novel. Register

Wed, Oct 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
This is a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence.

Thu, Oct 12, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Beginning English Practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English.

Canceled
Thu, Oct 12, 11:00am - 7:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Books, CDs, and DVDs for both children and adults all for sale at low prices. Join the Friends and/or shop the sale and help support the library!

Thu, Oct 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Barrett is starting a Mahjong group using the American rules developed from the ancient Chinese game. Meetings will be from 2-4 PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Registration required.

Thu, Oct 12, 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Books, CDs, and DVDs for both children and adults all for sale at low prices. Join the Friends and/or shop the sale and help support the library!

Thu, Oct 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 12+

Thu, Oct 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
Join us to discuss the following two stories: "Paradise" by Yxta Maya Murray, "Tarot Witch" by Ray Bradbury. Register

Thu, Oct 12, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Cheesetique - 2411 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Join us for a book club where we discuss what we're currently reading while enjoying wine and cheese! 🍷 🧀 📚

Fri, Oct 13, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Books, CDs, and DVDs for both children and adults all for sale at low prices. Join the Friends and/or shop the sale and help support the library!

Sat, Oct 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Outdoors
Start your Saturday doing good. Join the Burke Branch walking and litter pickup club.

Sat, Oct 14, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Books, CDs, and DVDs for both children and adults all for sale at low prices. Join the Friends and/or shop the sale and help support the library!

Sat, Oct 14, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Bring items from home that are broken, torn and not quite working correctly to be assessed and repaired by a Fixit Coach. Check-in at the Welcome Table before heading to a Fixit station.

Sat, Oct 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A young woman, studying to be a vet, develops a craving for human flesh.

Last updated:  January 2023