Ever since I was a young child, one of my favorite hobbies has always been reading. I'll admit it - I also love collecting books that are on my "to-read" list, knowing good and well that the list is growing at a rate that's impossible for me to keep up with. There's always the ever-present hope that one day I'll have more free time to read! Until then, I'll satisfy myself with trips to bookstores. Whether I'm at home or traveling, I love the joy of visiting an independent bookstore. I'm sure most bibliophiles can relate when I say that they feel like home, even if they're a shop you've never been to before. Not much in life is better than cozying up with a cup of coffee and a good book! If you've been hunting for some great new bookstores to check out in the northern Virginia area, you'll love this NOVA road trip we have planned to five of the best bookstores in the state.

We love long road trips, but since you'll want to spend a bit of time in each of the featured bookstores, we're just featuring five locations on this trip, which takes a little over an hour on the road and requires less than 50 miles of driving. You can check out the full itinerary at Google Maps, and it's customizable, so feel free to add or remove stops if you like.

We'll start our journey at One More Page in Arlington. This delightful shop is so much fun. Not only will you find a vast selection of new books, but there's also chocolate and wine. Reading clubs and author events are hosted regularly, and it's a great place to meet fellow book lovers. I find the staff notes placed on some of the books to be super helpful when trying to determine what I want to read next.

For our next stop, we'll travel down to Alexandria for a visit to Old Town Books. This cozy shop does great work in the local community and has a wonderful selection of kids' literature. The event track here is wonderful, with plenty of readings, signings, and more hosted frequently. The staff are happy to provide guidance if you're having trouble figuring out what to throw on your to-read list.

You won't have to go too far for our next independent bookstore, as it's also in Alexandria. Hooray for Books! is an especially magical spot if you've got kids who are bookworms. It was founded in 2008 and sells books for teens and adults as well, but the kids' selection is especially prominent. There are plenty of puzzles and games for sale, too.

You'll have to drive a little farther for our next spot, but it's definitely worth the time in the car (audiobooks are perfect for when you are stuck in traffic!). Bards Alley Bookshop is a wine-and-book combo shop in Vienna that features coffee and tea for those not a fan of vino. More than 5,000 titles are available here, and there's so much to browse through. The locally baked sweets and snacks are perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat before you hit the road again.

We'll finish up this literary road trip with a visit to Scrawl Books. This is a great shop in Reston Town Center, and the owner is a local who has years of experience as a librarian. The staff are extremely knowledgeable at providing recommendations. In addition to books, you'll find a selection of gifts, apparel, and tote bags to lug around all your new purchases.

Did we miss your favorite bookstore in NOVA? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Want a fun way to virtually support local bookstores when you're not able to visit in person? Check out Bookshop.org, which donates a percentage of all sales to local independent bookstores in your area.