Open Books, Pilsen
60 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 28 threads.
What people say, in short
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.
Address
Open Books Pilsen, 905 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
At a glance
- Best for
- Second hand
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- Used books
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Open Books, Pilsen, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/ProgressionPeak in r/chicago · Oct 2026variety
Describes the Pilsen branch as compact yet excellent, with a strong, well-curated range of books.
- Recommendsu/Atlas3141 in r/AskChicago · Nov 2025
Suggests a visit to the Open Books location in Logan Square.
- Recommendsu/Argus_Thousand_Eyes in r/AskChicago · Nov 2026
Calls the former Logan Square shop a top-tier bookstore before its closure.
- Recommendsu/cumminginsurrection in r/AskChicago · Nov 2026
Visitor lists this shop among Pilsen stops worth a visit.
- Recommendsu/chisocialscene in r/AskChicago · Jul 2026
Visitor names Open Books alongside Pilsen Community Books as favorites.
- Recommendsu/FartSparkles_PhD in r/AskChicago · Sep 2024variety
A big fan who likes the wide stock across locations and the literacy work with educators and students.
- Recommendsu/jowneyone in r/chicago · Nov 2023price
Recommends it for used books with good finds.
- Mixedu/Street_Invite4149 in r/AskChicago · Nov 2026variety
Says the Logan Square branch once had strong selection but became mainstream and dull before closing.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/WakingUpisHardtoDo in r/chicago · Dec 2023variety
Says it's their go-to for used books and praises the large selection across its locations.
- Recommendsu/tvoutfitz in r/AskChicago · Jan 2026ambience
Recommends the Open Books locations generally, calling the Pilsen hub worth a visit and a very cool space.
- Recommendsu/eamesa in r/AskChicago · Dec 2024
Visitor lists this Pilsen branch among other suggested options fairly close to the Loop.
- Recommendsu/lemonricottalover in r/AskChicago · May 2025
Visitor calls it an excellent used bookstore whose flagship branch is in the West Loop.
- Recommendsu/caleblwoods in r/AskChicago · Nov 2026
Says they enjoyed visiting the West Loop branch and finds its closure sad.
- Recommendsu/blacksqr in r/AskChicago · Dec 2024
Visitor urges others to try all Open Books locations, noting the nonprofit money supports children's literacy programs.
- Recommendsu/Short_Cream_2370 in r/chicago · Mar 2024variety
Says some sections of this shop are usually piled with books, suited to a dig-through browsing experience.
- Recommendsu/annaxdee in r/AskChicago · Mar 2026variety
Reports having seen sets of vintage racy reading aimed at women at this shop too.
- Recommendsu/thezogenator in r/AskChicago · Aug 2024variety
Praises this shop for its strong used selection and seconds it as a good choice.
- Recommendsu/doyouhaveanyhobbies in r/chicagofood · Apr 2024variety
Recommends this branch for finding good books.
- Recommendsu/amberheartsplants in r/AskChicago · Jan 2026
Says they are a strong fan of Open Books.
- Recommendsu/sarajevo_marlboro in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026variety
Visitor says Open Books has plenty of the sort of books being sought.
- Caveatu/imhereforthemeta in r/AskChicago · Jul 2026
Was disappointed by this shop and advises ignoring suggestions that name it.
- Recommendsu/aSiK00 in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Recommends it.
- Recommendsu/hotsauceandburrito in r/AskChicago · Jul 2026variety
Visitor recommends Open Books for used-book browsing too.
- Recommendsu/mxntain in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025
Suggests the Logan Square shop as a stop that pairs well with Wicker Park's Myopic and Quimby for a short visit.
- Recommendsu/bkander2 in r/AskChicago · Dec 2024
Visitor praises the Lake location of Open Books highly.
- Recommendsu/onwardtomanagua in r/AskChicago · Sep 2024
Says the Logan Square shop ranks among their favorite bookstores.
- Recommendsu/nutty_processor in r/AskChicago · Dec 2024
Calls Open Books amazing.
- Recommendsu/Ok-Syrup1141 in r/AskChicago · May 2025
Visitor suggests the Pilsen branch as an extra stop if there is spare time.
- Recommendsu/salsarah21 in r/AskChicago · Jan 2025variety
Notes the shop stocks travel guides and praises the group behind it warmly.
- Recommendsu/CaptainJackKevorkian in r/chicago · Dec 2023
Suggests this shop for used books.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.