Ravenswood Used Books, Montrose
25 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicago27 comments cited below
What people say, in short
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.
Address
Ravenswood Used Books, 2005 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Best for
- Browsing, Second hand
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- Packed stacks
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Ravenswood Used Books, Montrose, 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/Sunny_15_ in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Lists it among personal favorites, praising its quirky, offbeat stock.
- Recommendsu/East_of_Cicero in r/chicago · Nov 2023
Suggests this Montrose spot for secondhand finds.
- Recommendsu/Thin_Spinach2973 in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Calls it an underrated find for secondhand books.
- Recommendsu/Altruistic_Alarm_707 in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor includes this used bookstore in their recommended list.
- Recommendsu/endsinemptiness in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor recommends this used bookstore near Montrose, praising it as a great small shop.
- Recommendsu/TroppyPop in r/AskChicago · Jun 2024
Commenter lives nearby and calls this used bookshop the closest one to them, praising it highly.
- Recommendsu/carrlson in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Visitor names Ravenswood Books as a suggested used bookstore.
- Recommendsu/adeepname in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Calls Ravenswood Used Books a gem.
Show all 27 cited comments
- Recommendsu/TossACoinToUrWitcher in r/AskChicago · Sep 2024variety
Calls it very cozy and stuffed with affordable paperbacks and unique finds, with a really extensive selection.
- Recommendsu/Tzipity in r/AskChicago · Nov 2026
Visitor includes this used-book shop on the Montrose route toward Damen.
- Recommendsu/Robnoceros in r/AskChicago · Jul 2026
Visitor names Ravenswood Used Books as a pick.
- Recommendsu/fruitleisure in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor lists browsing this used bookstore among several things to do in the neighborhood.
- Recommendsu/chicagoloha in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026ambience
Describes this used shop as a fun, stacked maze; hasn't been back since a reorganization but still calls it nice.
- Recommendsu/Fun-Faithlessness996 in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Visitor lists Ravenswood among the used bookstores to check out.
- Recommendsu/eamesa in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor lists this Ravenswood shop among their bookstore picks.
- Recommendsu/Vikingfan_12 in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Gives Ravenswood Used Books strong praise, calling it amazing.
- Caveatu/travelerrr91 in r/AskChicago · Jan 2026service
Advises others not to visit after an unpleasant experience there.
- Recommendsu/Coupon_Ninja in r/AskChicago · Jul 2026variety
Says the shop has a fairly strong Chicago shelf.
- Recommendsu/vulgarbutwily in r/chicago · Dec 2023ambience
Loves this used shop; says it feels crowded without feeling trapped and has found good finds.
- Recommendsu/Radiant-Doughnut-468 in r/AskChicago · Sep 2026
Names Ravenswood Used Books when asked for used bookstore recommendations.
- Recommendsu/Hesi_Pull-up_Jimmer in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026
Visitor strongly suggests this used bookstore located at a Montrose and Damen corner.
- Recommendsu/jkraige in r/AskChicago · Aug 2026variety
Visitor dropped in while waiting for a bus and found a German-language book they had wanted, calling it a win.
- Recommendsu/Vicious_in_Aminor in r/AskChicago · May 2026
Calls this used shop pretty awesome; says it takes digging but has yielded many good finds.
- Recommendsu/bseeingu6 in r/AskChicago · Mar 2026
Reports past good results collecting vintage lesbian erotica at this used shop.
- Recommendsu/cupcakezilla21 in r/AskChicago · Feb 2025ambience
This visitor recommends this used bookshop for browsing its very narrow aisles of older titles.
- Caveatu/Poolstiksamurai in r/AskChicago · Sep 2024ambience
Finds Ravenswood as claustrophobic as Myopic and says it is poorly organized.
- Recommendsu/maydaydemise in r/AskChicago · Jul 2024variety
Says this shop has a strong range of art and architecture books, and that they enjoy browsing there.
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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.