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“Bucket O’ Blood is an absolute gem, five stars without hesitation. It somehow nails the sweet spot between “cozy neighborhood shop” and “portal to a cooler, weirder universe,” with shelves stacked high with horror, sci‑fi, and fantasy, plus a dangerous amount of movies. I went in “just to look” and somehow walked out with a vinyl record, a graphic novel, and a horror movie, which feels like the holy trinity of a perfect night in. The guy at the front desk was ridiculously helpful. Go check it out!”
“Friendliest staff ever, with a wonderful selection of books, stickers, and other souvenirs. Definitely planning to come back the next time I’m in Chicago. The manager, Shannon, is awesome to talk to as well.”
“Zombie Unicorn Comics is that me of the best comic shops in Chicago. They have a great selection of comics and comic adjacent collectibles and offer pressing and cleaning services. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable! This place is everything you need in a Local Comicbook Store!”
“Happened to find this store while I was visiting and strolling for coffee. I’m so glad I stopped in! Excellent selection and service! Look forward to stopping in when I’m back ?”
“It is a splendid thing that used bookstores vary in their little quirks and excellences. You can have a thousand excellent books for a song, or you can find annoyingly just too expensive books but, come on, live a little. That biography of Orson Welles won’t be paying $9 for itself ….”
“I always love Mad Street Books! The staff is so personable, they make great recommendations, and I always enjoy my visits there. One of my favorite indie books stores in Chicago!”
“I recently visited Open Books in Logan Square, and it was a surprisingly enjoyable experience! Even though I’m not an avid reader, I found the atmosphere of the store to be warm and inviting. The space is filled with a diverse selection of books, from popular bestsellers to unique finds, which made browsing quite enjoyable.
The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, ready to assist with recommendations if needed. I appreciated how they seemed genuinely passionate about books, which added to the overall positive vibe of the store.
I found it interesting to explore the different genres and see what caught my eye. There were plenty of intriguing titles that piqued my curiosity, and my friend left with a couple of books that he's excited to read.
I also admire Open Books for its commitment to promoting literacy and supporting the community. Knowing that my purchases contribute to such a worthwhile cause made the visit even more rewarding.
Overall, if you’re in the Logan Square area, I recommend checking out Open Books. Whether you’re a book lover or just looking for something interesting to explore, it’s a charming spot worth visiting!”
“The hours kind of frustrate me but I do my best to drop off donations and get classroom resources there.
PLEASE NOTE: parking is a bit difficult because it fills quickly, so bring a friend, a traveling cart or boxes/bags,to help you carry items out.”
10:30AM - 6PM
651 W Lake St, Chicago
Book Stores
“What a gem!! I wandered in here unexpectedly yesterday and was so delighted. They’ve got an incredible selection of books and I loved browsing the store. So many $5 books! My problem is that my backpack was full already so I’ll be back today prepared to purchase ?”
“An incredible selection of books, an extremely chill and inviting atmosphere, a lot of community programming, friendly and prompt customer service. They even have drinks to sip while you browse. Make this your go-to shop for all your book needs.”
“10/10 experience. I absolutely loved this space. I’m from Indianapolis and I had to come see and experience this bookstore for myself and I’m so inspired. You can feel the purpose in the room the moment you walk in.
To the mother and daughter behind this place, please keep going. What y’all are doing is powerful. You’re not just running a bookstore, you’re inspiring people and giving people a reason to keep going. God has so much more in store for both of you.
When I spoke to the daughter Courtney (sorry if I’m spelling it wrong), her story alone was amazing. I really hope she knows how powerful she is and how much her story can impact people. Thank you both for creating something so special.”
“Popped in to poke around for the first time. The two dudes were helpful, interested, and just generally cool. Bought a record I wasn’t after to throw some support. Good spot”
“I was visiting Chicago and thought I'd pop in to this store to grab something to read after I finish my current book. NOPE. My suitcase be damned, I left with eight books!
After feeling like I have tapped out my local book stores back home, it was refreshing to go from shelf to shelf and keep finding things that I wanted to read but had never heard of nor seen. The staff recommendations are well curated, but honestly the selection of books was phenomenal.
Support Independent Book Stores. And not just in words, but with your wallet. I have no regrets.”
“This is such a charming little bookstore with an incredibly welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, the friendly staff make you feel right at home. There are so many wonderful details that make this place stand out.
The store is well organized and easy to browse, and being able to enjoy a drink while looking through the shelves makes the experience even more relaxing. The interactive author readings are engaging, and the personalized book recommendations from the staff add a thoughtful touch that makes the shop feel truly unique. This is a special little bookstore that is well worth visiting, and I can't wait to come back.”
“I am so excited to have New Book Joy in town - it is an absolute little gem! The owners are so warm and welcoming -- you can feel their love for books and community the moment you walk in. I went to one of their Books and Bites events at Happier Now (another great local find!) which featured a four-course tasting menu paired with hand-picked books, and it was incredible -- creative, delicious, and so thoughtfully done. It's not just a little bookstore; they make the most of their amazing community to bring people together and spark a real love of books.”
“Great selection of books and wonderful staff. I felt like Kat Startford walking into the store. They had Sexy Boy by Air playing over their soundsystem and it teleported me back to the 90's. The selection was incredible and I found it impossible to walk out with only one book.
There are multiple levels to this bookshop. My knees were acting up on my visit and I was not able to make it down to the basement or up to the 2nd floor. However, I didn't find that I needed to. I walked out with 4 books just from the main level. Even though I didn't feel the need to go to the other levels - the staff have stated they are open to retrieving books from the other levels if a customer is not able.
Overall the music playing was excellent, the reading selection even better, and the staff were very friendly. I will definitely be back.”
“Always get great recommendations from them for new books to read. They have a better selection than you’d expect for a small local bookstore. Even found a book my friend had written in Vermont!”
“An absolutely magical place!! Sooo many books from BIPOC authors that tend to be shoved in the very back in mainstream bookstores!! But the owner puts them proudly at the front.
The owner was so sweet and knowledgeable too!
Definitely worth a visit! And a conversation!”
“I’ve been living in Chicago for over a decade, but only discovered CityLit last year, and I’m so glad I did. The interior has such a bright, open atmosphere, and their shelves include a unique and varied selection of new releases and old favorites. What I especially love is their numerous book clubs, that range from novella reads to trying cookbook recipes. As a participant in one of their book clubs, I’ve had the experience of engaging with like-minded readers in friendly, informative discussions. On top of all that, the staff is welcoming and knowledgeable and always willing to help out in any way they can. I love this bookstore, and I look forward to every future visit.”
“Great bookstore with an amazing selection of new and used books. I was able to walk away with an entire series under $30. I will tell everyone I know to check this LARGE bookstore out.”
“My boyfriend and I happened upon Occult during a recent trip to Chicago as it was near our rental. I'm so happy we went in to check the shop out; it was a very cool store with a plethera of books, crystals, tarot cards, and more. We also ended up chatting with Bishop for a bit, and he was wonderful.”
“This is one of the BEST independent bookstores in Chicago - owned and operated by a chicago-native BIPOC woman <3 There are some other bookstores in the area - but this is by far the best one to support!”
“Hidden Gem!!!! A great book story with selections for everyone. We went for the first time last night and we were able to find a few books we were looking for. The staff was great and helpful. The books were organized and the place had a great flow. Has a great kids section as well. If your in the area it is a must stop and check it out.”
“Heirloom books not only functions as a wonderful used book store, but a gathering place for community. You will often hear a group of absolute legends discussing politics, current events, and other topics while browsing their stacked shelves of literary delights. Oh, and folks that run the joint understand the value of taking cash over card payments. Long live cash, long live Heirloom books.”
“My favorite book & wine shop in the city! They carry a great selection of books, wine, beer, and plenty of NA options along with yummy cheese plates. They also host a lot of different events that incorporate reading and other hobbies (ie pilates, flower arrangement, wine tastings, etc)”
“I came in “just to look” and somehow left emotionally fulfilled, mildly smarter, and carrying a stack of books heavy enough to require a life reassessment.
This bookstore is what happens when a place actually understands why people love books, not just to buy them, but to wander, to get lost, and to accidentally discover a title you didn’t know you needed until it was suddenly speaking directly to your soul. The selection is curated in the best way: not overwhelming, not predictable, and clearly chosen by someone who reads for joy rather than trends.
Every shelf feels intentional. You’ll find classics that make you feel cultured, new releases that make you feel current, and obscure gems that make you feel like you’ve unlocked a secret side quest. I picked up one book I came for and three I absolutely did not plan on buying, which I consider the highest compliment a bookstore can receive.
The atmosphere deserves its own paragraph. It’s warm without trying too hard, cozy without being sleepy, and has that rare quality of making you want to slow down in a world that keeps yelling at you to hurry up. It’s the kind of place where you intend to spend 10 minutes and then look up an hour later wondering how time works.
Bonus points for the staff, who are knowledgeable without being pretentious and helpful without hovering. The recommendations felt genuinely thoughtful, not like someone memorized a list of “employee picks” five minutes before their shift. You can tell the people here actually care about books—and about the people reading them.
In an era of algorithms telling us what to read next, this bookstore is a reminder that human taste is still undefeated. If you love books, even a little, you owe it to yourself to come here. If you don’t love books yet… this place might convert you.
Five stars, zero regrets, and a strong likelihood I’ll be back soon “just to browse” again.”
“Wonderful Service and inventory! The Owner has a heart to serve and creates an atmosphere the Spirit can thrive in & will lead you to the right choice! Absolutely recommend visiting!!!”
“Lovely place for christian theological books of every kind! Got myself a leather checkbook size Holy Bible for my Birthday. Truth is, I went there looking for an Ethiopian 88 books Bible, but they didn’t have it like many other places. So, I ended up browsing through their library and found a lot interesting books. One thing for sure, you’ll find yourself and 66 books Bible version, and a very good prices for that. Don’t hesitate to them a visit.”
“A humble yet extraordinary culturally robust community center. An absolute Chicago gem. Teresa and Pablo Are generous visionaries devoted to keeping Pilsen culturally authentic as their space consistently gives local artists, authors, creators an opportunity to expand their work. Places like Pach keep Pilsen’s heart pulse alive.
Took moment to drop in as there is no charge and you will see pics artist arts and crafts and some for purchase.
Hot tips: Take a walk around the neighborhood and enjoy all the murals! Looks for the mural Loteria doors that are all around.
Make sure to stop by Cafe Jumping or Urban Treez (next door) for a latte and or meal.
Take a walk to the historical Rudy Lozano Library.
Take a drive to the National Mexican Museum and have a picnic at the park adjacent to it.”
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“Loved this store. Very clean and organized. Employees are helpful and super friendly. They welcomed me to the store, and encouraged me to enjoy my time at the store. And I def did just that. I got to enjoy finding, then purchasing books I had needed in my life for a long time. But most importantly , I left knowing I had found my new favorite bookstore which I can enjoy again very soon.”