Bookstores in Chicago

69 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

Most visitors recommend Myopic Books in Wicker Park, and several point to its large used selection, including out-of-print and classic titles. Visitors name it among the best bookstores in the city, and its cookbook section and maze-like, multi-level layout also draw mentions, with advice to allow plenty of time. Visitors also mention that it is easy to reach by the Blue Line. Caveats: one visitor says they were let down and tells readers to disregard recommendations naming it, another finds it very basic, and one disliked an old bag-check policy but may return now that it has changed.

Wicker Park

60 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

Most visitors recommend Open Books, a used bookstore with multiple Chicago locations, and several visitors name its Pilsen shop. Many recommend it for used books, visitors note it is a nonprofit that supports literacy work, and one visitor calls the Pilsen shop a very cool space. Visitors say its Logan Square shop has closed and its West Loop shop is closing. Not everyone agrees: one visitor was disappointed and advises ignoring recommendations for it, and another feels the Logan Square selection had turned mainstream before it closed.

Pilsen

45 people recommendvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

Many visitors recommend this Lakeview bookstore on Broadway, and several praise its selection. Many name it a favorite, and visitors single out its queer selection. One visitor praises its fantasy, sci-fi and YA sections, and another its classics. One visitor notes a large range of new cookbooks and another calls its sale section a standout. Visitors note it sells mostly new books rather than used, so it suits used-book hunters less.

Lakeview

31 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago

Many visitors name Quimby's in Wicker Park as a go-to for zines, and visitors also point to its comics. Many visitors suggest pairing it with Myopic Books nearby, one calls it the most unique bookstore in the region, and one says it is fun to browse. Most visitors recommend it, but one finds the zine stock weakly illustrated and heavy on anti-capitalist complaints.

Wicker Park

25 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Visitors overwhelmingly recommend this shop on Division, and many name it among their favorite bookstores. Visitors praise the selection, point to its used books, and find it affordable. One visitor finds it modest in size and more like a standard shop for mass-market titles.

Wicker Park

25 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Many visitors recommend Ravenswood Used Books on Montrose near Damen, and several describe packed shelves that reward digging. Visitors call it a gem, one calls it an underrated find, and a couple mention affordable prices. One visitor praises its art and architecture books. Caveats: one visitor finds the aisles as claustrophobic as Myopic and poorly organized, while another finds it crowded without feeling trapped.

Montrose

24 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Many visitors recommend this Andersonville shop, and a few describe it as a feminist bookstore. A few name it a favorite or go-to, and two call it a great bookstore. Several suggest pairing it with a walk through Andersonville's other independent shops. One visitor rates its nonfiction on politics and society as strong but finds the classics weaker, and one notes it is a bit far from the Loop but a good reason to explore. One finds it well stocked and busy, though it leans left politically.

Andersonville

24 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago, r/chicagofood

The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square is an independent bookshop that most visitors recommend. A few name it among their favorite shops, and several praise its selection. A few mention that it serves drinks, including wine. One visitor mentions a pleasant small French section and another has found local-history titles there. One visitor finds the selection thin, with stock leaning toward new and bestseller titles.

Lincoln Square

24 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Armadillo's Pillow, a used bookshop along Sheridan in Rogers Park, is recommended by many visitors. One visitor says it reliably turns up good finds, and another calls it a gem. It is described as a small shop, and one visitor calls it strong for nonfiction and literary titles.

Rogers Park

23 people recommendvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago

Most visitors recommend Powell's Books in Hyde Park, and many point to its used books. Several visitors praise its selection, and a few suggest including it in a crawl through Hyde Park's other bookstores. One visitor finds the fiction weaker than the nonfiction, and another feels the trip is less worth it now unless they are already near Hyde Park.

Hyde Park

22 people recommendvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago

Many visitors recommend this Hyde Park shop, and visitors single out its academic and scholarly books. Visitors say its selection rewards browsing, and they suggest pairing it with other Hyde Park bookstores. Several note that it stocks mainly new books rather than used ones.

Hyde Park

21 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Many visitors recommend this independent bookstore upstairs in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue, and several call its selection well curated. A couple of visitors note it stocks new books, one praises its small-press titles as hard to find elsewhere, and one praises its music titles. One visitor says the shelves are packed with books.

Fine Arts Building

19 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Many visitors recommend City Lit Books, and several name its Logan Square shop as a favorite or go-to pick. A few visitors describe the selection as good or decent, one says it has plenty of cookbooks, and one recommends its book clubs. One visitor loves the train set in its kids' section, and another says the shop is worth the trip even though getting there takes some effort.

Logan Square

18 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/chicago, r/AskChicago

Many visitors recommend Sandmeyer's on Dearborn in Printers Row, and several name it a favorite. A couple of visitors mention its Chicago-themed books. One visitor says walking in feels welcoming and community-minded, with a busy book club, and another says it feels like everything a bookstore should be.

Printers Row

15 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Most visitors recommend After-Words, a River North bookstore on Illinois Street, and several say it carries both new and used books. Several mention the downstairs section, which one visitor calls a cool basement and another says holds a large mix of stock despite the shop looking small. One visitor finds the shop calm rather than overstimulating.

River North

15 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Visitors recommend Pilsen Community Books, and many list it among their favorite bookstores. Visitors point to its radical and left-leaning collection, with one calling it the best such collection in town. A couple note that it is employee-owned, and one notes an event space that community groups use. One visitor says parts of the shop are piled high with books, which suits people who like to dig through stacks.

12 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Visitors recommend 57th Street Books in Hyde Park as a good place to browse. One visitor calls it magical and praises its kids' section, and another says it is a favorite place to wander. Visitors suggest combining it with other stops around Hyde Park. One visitor feels it was once among the very best but is still good.

Hyde Park

12 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Most visitors recommend Tangible Books in Bridgeport, and one visitor calls it a favorite while another loves it. One visitor describes a dense, old-fashioned browsing feel, another says its vibe closely resembles Myopic's, one praises the selection, and one points to it for used books. One visitor was disappointed and says to disregard recommendations for it.

Bridgeport

11 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Visitors recommend Skunk Cabbage Books. Visitors list it among their favorite bookshops, a couple call it great or awesome, and one first-time visitor was very impressed by its vibe. Visitors place it in Logan Square or Avondale, and one corrects another to say it is in Avondale.

Avondale

10 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

Many visitors recommend Three Avenues Bookshop in Lakeview. One visitor calls it a friendly spot with a good range of books, another finds it solid, and one lists it among independents with a stronger selection. One visitor notes a cookbook section, and a couple include it in a suggested Lakeview walking route.

Lakeview

8 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Visitors recommend Heirloom Books on Clark Street in Edgewater, and one calls it a fun visit while another names it a favorite for its fun, unusual books. A couple describe it as a volunteer-run nonprofit, and a couple praise its prices. One visitor says it is smaller than expected, another mentions two floors and extras such as maps, and one finds the crowded shelves a little too cozy.

Edgewater

8 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Visitors recommend Uncharted Books. One visitor notes that it moved to a new location on Western Avenue. One visitor likes its laid-back feel, another praises its careful curation, and one mentions a small zine section that includes work from local artists.

Western Avenue

5 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Visitors recommend Call & Response Books in Hyde Park. A couple of visitors suggest including it in a bookstore crawl around Hyde Park, and one likes it a lot.

Hyde Park

5 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Several visitors recommend Books 4 Cause, a free bookstore in Avondale that runs on donated books. One visitor finds the shop tidy and calm, a good spot to pass books along, and another says the selection varies but the shelves have had a decent amount on each visit.

Avondale

5 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Visitors recommend Roscoe Books, and a few name it among their go-to or favorite bookshops.

5 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Visitors recommend Time and a Half, a Ravenswood bookshop on Damen. One visitor recommends it for new literature and classics, another calls it amazing for niche fiction, and a couple list it among their favorite shops.

Ravenswood

5 people recommendvia r/AskChicago

Visitors recommend Passages Book Cafe, a bookstore and wine bar in West Town. One visitor calls it a small, good bookstore with plenty of alcohol-free drink choices, one suggests it for browsing with a drink in hand, and another describes it as meant for reading with a glass of wine.

West Town