Alpha Book Center

I am a Magickal Herbalist and this place is THE place to go for all your herbal needs. The book selection is stellar and Joy is well… a joy. She is very knowledgeable and more than willing to help you discover your spiritual path. The only thing that unsettles me a bit is «Dr.» John. The creep factor radar was definitely up there. He practically followed me around the store the entire time I was browsing. All-​in-​all a great little treasure trove of metaphysical delights!

Went in to browse and ended up getting a reading with Brian. He was spot on! I was so impressed and pleased with how the reading went that I made a point to see him the next time I came in. The store is a little far of a drive but the materials and staff are just lovely. Fair prices for candles and they offer some interesting classes. A hospitable atmosphere overall.

Okay, the place creeps me out a bit. The two guys in there, I felt were following me around. One did in fact keep close tabs on me. I wasn’t even wearing a purse… how could I take something?
Anywho, good selection of books. Granted I am not into half of them, but the chakra collection and the yoga collection were abundant. They offer some aromatherapy stuff too. LOTS of choices for incense!
If you are into NewAge, Chakra balancing, not Christian stuff, this is the place to go.

I have been here numerous times. Every time «John» is there he finds a way to insult either myself or my wife. Dont get me wrong, I love their selection of books and other wares, its just «John» that turns me off of the place.

Really cool selection of Pagan books and candles, etc. Nice staff. They have psychic readers available for readings. They have some beautiful bound journals in leather for great prices. Not a large place but very pleasant.

This place has been here for over 45 years and a recent visit reminded me of why this place has lasted for as long as it has. Super friendly service and tons of supplies you may need. The store is much bigger than the one that used to be on McDowell. Their specialty is Metaphysics, New Age, Paganism and the occult. We were greeted by Roz and Joy who were super friendly and answered all of our pestering questions. Roz even gave us some cold bottled water because it was so hot outside.
They had lots of different statues, but I came here interested if they had any Buddha statues, prayer flags, mala beads or books on the paranormal, which they had all of them! I pondered over some reiki infused scented candles that were only $ 2 and $ 15 handmade goblins. They also have a used section of books which is appreciated because sometimes this stuff can get really expensive.
My partner specifically came here looking for tarot cards which they had in abundance. The ones he ended up liking they had to special order for him, which was nice. If you are looking for essential oils, herbs, kits, graveyard dirt, holy water, charcoal, sage, candles, they have all of that. They also offer readings and classes on things like rootwork, how to read the tarot, candle magick and crystal workshops. The place was a bit confusing to find but it’s next to the big tanning shop next door that reads ‘TANNING,’ and there is a big iron sign that says Alpha Book Center.

Alpha Books has a pleasant vibe; shall we say. ;) And Joy is a class act. I’ve known her and John for the better part of 20 years now…
UPDATE: John and Joy closed Alpha Books this past October 21^st but; the spirit lives on via
as well as

I like this place. I don’t get to peruse often enough, but it’s always a refreshing adventure when I do have the opportunity.
They’ve got a decent amount of Crowley and the likes that many others won’t even carry because it’s not the pretty sparkly faerie dusty stuff.
The folks who run the place are always warm, genuine and inviting.
I even had a spooky kinda thing happen here.
It was 2 years ago in December. I stopped in between job interviews to find some candles for a friend.
They didn’t have what I was looking for, but on my way out, a lady sitting at a reading table said,“before you go, come pick out a stone“from a bowl of shiny lil rocks.
I picked one I liked and she told me it would bring me something I needed.
I laughed to myself and said,“well, that would be a job”…(I’d been looking for a franticly stressed 2 months) and about 2 hours after I left the store, I got not one but 2 different offers.
I did call the store the next day to let her know what happened.
I don’t neccessarilly believe in that sort of thing, but thought the experience was creepy cool none the less.

Surprisingly large selection of books here.
My wife knew about this metaphysical book store for years, but when we went to visit it, its original location had been all boarded up for some time. We were later tipped off as to where it had relocated. The place doesn’t look like much from the outside, but you go in and you are greeted by a wall of books going down a long wall. I was impressed. While I don’t buy these kinds of books like I used to, some of the old used Manly P. Hall books (some of them signed) on the back wall were very tempting.
This just might be the best, most varied used book store I’ve found in the Valley so far. If you’re looking in the Valley for spiritual/​metaphysical/​religious sorts of books in the Phoenix area (and there’s a few of them there), don’t skip this place. Lots of books, lots of space, and friendly service. It’s cooler in there than outside, and I’m not just talking about the temperature.