Powell's Books, Hyde Park
23 people recommendvia r/chicago, r/AskChicago25 comments cited below
What people say, in short
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.
Address
Powell's Books Chicago, 1501 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637
At a glance
- Best for
- Second hand, Browsing
- Known for
- Used books, Large selection
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Powell's Books, Hyde Park, 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/_youneverknow_ in r/chicago · Nov 2023
Calls it great for secondhand books.
- Recommendsu/Yossarian567 in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Names Powell's in Hyde Park when asked for used bookstore recommendations.
- Recommendsu/eamesa in r/AskChicago · Dec 2024
Visitor recommends this Hyde Park shop as worth a Metra trip.
- Recommendsu/Political-psych-abby in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026variety
Says Powell's has excellent used books.
- Recommendsu/jezzarus in r/AskChicago · May 2026variety
Says this Hyde Park shop normally carries a handful of titles in foreign languages.
- Recommendsu/Tzipity in r/AskChicago · Nov 2026
Visitor lists this shop among Hyde Park bookstores to visit.
- Recommendsu/Pteris in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Visitor agrees with the Powell's suggestion and calls it top-tier among Chicago used bookstores.
- Recommendsu/_ali_n_t_ in r/AskChicago · Aug 2024
Recommends checking out this shop on the walk from 55th Street.
Show all 25 cited comments
- Mixedu/WildOnionJam in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026variety
Nonfiction is a strength here, but the fiction shelves are weaker in this commenter's view.
- Recommendsu/izntree in r/AskChicago · Oct 2024
Commenter urges visitors to make Powell's the top priority and calls it a must-go shop.
- Recommendsu/Specialist_Key_8606 in r/AskChicago · Nov 2025price
Says Powell's has a good selection of new books.
- Recommendsu/1koolspud in r/chicago · Mar 2024
Calls this Hyde Park shop one of their favorite places in the city to browse for used books.
- Recommendsu/BigBookes in r/chicago · Dec 2023
Agrees the shop is great.
- Recommendsu/ADiestlTrain in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor offers this Hyde Park shop as a bookstore pick.
- Recommendsu/hotsauceandburrito in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor lists this as a personal favorite for used books and browsing.
- Recommendsu/East_of_Cicero in r/AskChicago · Jul 2025
This visitor also suggests Powell's in Hyde Park as a bookshop.
- Recommendsu/imthehamburglarok in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026variety
Visitor says Powell's has a huge range of stock and calls it excellent.
- Recommendsu/Radiant-Doughnut-468 in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Lists Powell's among places named when asked for used bookstore recommendations.
- Recommendsu/Ok_Worldliness_4380 in r/AskChicago · Jun 2025
Includes this Hyde Park shop in a neighborhood day plan it calls perfect.
- Recommendsu/thloki in r/AskChicago · May 2025variety
Visitor suggests it for secondhand books in the Hyde Park cluster.
- Mixedu/Street_Invite4149 in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026value
Visitor finds a trip to Powell's less worth it now unless located near Hyde Park.
- Recommendsu/crburger in r/AskChicago · May 2026variety
Says Powell's has a large, well-tended selection, mostly classic works.
- Recommendsu/yoni_sings_yanni in r/AskChicago · Apr 2026
This visitor suggests a bookstore crawl in Hyde Park that includes this shop.
- Recommendsu/DunkandEgg in r/AskChicago · Jan 2026
Loves Powell's Books Chicago when asked for used-book places to add to the list.
- Recommendsu/Double_Lobster_6316 in r/AskChicago · Jun 2025variety
A visitor found the used stock strong and more pleasant to browse than Myopic.
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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.