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ALL ALEXANDRIA READS 2025

 

Celebrate "ADVENTURE" this year with All Alexandria Reads!

ABOUT THE BOOKS 
In 2025, we are highlighting two titles. Written as a series of autobiographical essays, A Field Guide to Getting Lost draws on emblematic moments and relationships in author Rebecca Solnit’s life to explore issues of uncertainty, trust, loss, memory, desire, and place. James, by Percival Everett, is a reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and ferociously funny—told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. 
From March through May, join us for a wide range of special programs and events for all ages, both virtual and in-person. Look for our brochure at your local Alexandria Library branch starting in March.

ABOUT ALL ALEXANDRIA READS 
Facilitated by the Alexandria Library, this program is designed to create shared experiences through reading. Everyone is invited to read the featured title and selected books for younger readers.  
All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. 

ALL ALEXANDRIA READS EVENTS
Tiny Art Show
Wed, Apr 16, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Cancelled
1s and 2s Time - Outdoor Adventure - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 16, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones – all with the theme of outdoor adventures! Ages 1-2
Waterfront Scavenger Hunt - All Alexandria Reads
Wed, Apr 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Founders Park - 351 N. Union St.
Follow clues to find hidden gems along Old Town's Waterfront. Look for the flag at Founder's Park to begin. (Ages 13-18)
Cancelled
1s and 2s Time - Outdoor Adventure - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 16, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones – all with the theme of outdoor adventures! Ages 1-2
Tiny Art Show
Thu, Apr 17, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
All Alexandria Reads: Adventure Story Time - A Story Time For Ages 2+
Thu, Apr 17, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
A story time inspired by our All Alexandria Reads picture book:"Climb On." Ages 2+
Line Dancing
Thu, Apr 17, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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.
Tiny Art Show
Fri, Apr 18, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Tiny Art Show
Sat, Apr 19, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Teen Crafternoon - Adventure Bracelets
Sat, Apr 19, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Ages 12-18
Tiny Art Show
Mon, Apr 21, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Alaskan Adventure!
Mon, Apr 21, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Learn all about Alaska and put your environmental conservation skills to the test as local teacher Kirsten Salonga shares pictures and stories from her recent research trip to Alaska. Ages 6-18.
Tiny Art Show
Tue, Apr 22, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Tiny Art Show
Wed, Apr 23, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
1s and 2s Time - Outdoor Adventure - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 23, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones – all with the theme of outdoor adventures! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time - Outdoor Adventure - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 23, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones – all with the theme of outdoor adventures! Ages 1-2
Burke Book Club (All Alexandria Reads) - "James" by Percival Everett
Wed, Apr 23, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
Please join us for a virtual discussion of the fiction pick of this year's All Alexandria Reads. The 2025 AAR theme is adventure.Register
Tiny Art Show
Thu, Apr 24, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Silver Artisans - Travel Journals
Thu, Apr 24, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Make journals to take on your travels!
Line Dancing
Thu, Apr 24, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
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.
The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure, and Suspense - A Conversation with Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz
Thu, Apr 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Do you love action-packed adventure? Are you ready for the thrill? You’re invited to a riveting conversation with NYT bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz as he chats with us about his Orphan X series.Register
Tiny Art Show
Fri, Apr 25, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Film - "Greyhound"
Fri, Apr 25, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a screening of a 2020 film based on the novel "The Good Shepherd" by C.S. Forester.
Tiny Art Show
Sat, Apr 26, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Tiny Art Show
Sun, Apr 27, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Four Mile Run Kayak Cleanup - All Alexandria Reads
Sun, Apr 27, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Four Mile Run - Water Access
Help keep our waterway beautiful by participating in a land and water-based cleanup hosted by the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation. (Ages 12+)
This event is full
Tiny Art Show
Mon, Apr 28, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Vision Boards - All Alexandria Reads
Mon, Apr 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Visualize the next adventure of your life by making a vision board. All supplies will be provided along with instructions and ideas for how to begin. 
Tiny Art Show
Tue, Apr 29, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
Tiny Art Show
Wed, Apr 30, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Artists' tiny art creations, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of "ADVENTURE", will be on display.
1s and 2s Time - Outdoor Adventure - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 30, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones – all with the theme of outdoor adventures! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time - Outdoor Adventure - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 30, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones – all with the theme of outdoor adventures! Ages 1-2
Brixalot Star Wars Lego
Sat, May 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
An All Alexandria Reads adventure! Lots and lots of Star Wars Lego for ages 6-12..
Silver Artisans - Zen Calligraphy
Thu, May 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Learn and practice brush painting techniques to create a beautiful Zen painting. 
Trash Trekkers - Burke Branch Walking and Litter Pickup Club
Sat, May 10, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Outdoors
Start your Saturday doing good for your community. Join the Burke Branch walking and litter pickup club.
Board Game Bliss
Sun, May 18, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Let's celebrate the joy of playing games! Play a wide variety of games, the classics and the new. Bring a friend or make new friends.
See all events

BOOKS FOR ALL AGES

YOUNG ADULT

Frieren, beyond journeys end 1

MIDDLE GRADE

Monster Locker

EARLY ELEMENTARY

Definitely Dominguita, knight of the cape

PRE-K

Climb on!

PREVIOUS ALL ALEXANDRIA READS SELECTIONS

 

2023

The Sound of a Snail Eating
Remarkably Bright Creatures

2022

Crying in H Mart
Infinite Country

2020/2021

The Library Book
Susan Orlean

2019

It's All Relative
A. J. Jacobs

2018

Sergeant Stubby
Ann Bausum

2017

Priceless
Robert Wittman

2016

The Astronaut Wives Club
Lily Koppel

2015

Big Stone Gap
Adriana Trigiani

2014

When Washington
Was in Vogue
Edward Williams

2013

Listening iS an Act of Love 
StoryCorps Project

2012

Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
William Kamkwamba

2011

The Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafón

2010

The Geography of Bliss
Eric Weiner

2009

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Barbara Kingsolver

2008
Marley and Me
John Grogan

2025 ALL ALEXANDRIA READS SPONSORS

All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the JAMES M. DUNCAN, JR. LIBRARY FOUNDATION, INC.

Additional sponsors and partners include the following local businesses and organizations:
Last Updated:  March 2025