“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 ?”
“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.”
“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!”
“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.”
“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!”
“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!”
“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 ….”
“So happy they are in the neighborhood. Amazing curation of books and a great monthly newsletter that keeps you informed of what’s going on at the shop.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“Awesome awesome place I love the set up I love the collection of books they have for sale and the customer service was definitely superb!!!! Can’t wait to go again. It’s such a beautiful place”
“Love this place so much from the moment I walked in! They have a vast range of books and also a section for my favorite genre, contemporary romance!!! I most loved that they have a selection of independent authors that I don’t usually see in book stores. I also love a book store that is configured to invite people stay. If you purchase a book, consider sitting a while and reading it. The sitting area is cozy and cute! There’s also a selection of vinyl records! They also have a blind date with a book section! Essentially, you can get a surprise book based on the description. The person working in the store told me that they bring authors in for talks and signings. It’s definitely worth making a visit to this place!”
“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.”
“Sellers of sheet music are, sadly, few and far between. I stumbled upon Performers Music on a recent visit to Chicago. It was a delightful find and a welcoming shop to noodle around in for new and different music. Very helpful staff. If you go, be sure and wander around the Fine Arts Building, which is full of small, intriguing shops, including 6 violin/stringed instrument makers/repairers/dealers. What a treat!”
“Easy breezy parking! Lots of nearby eateries & if you overeat, you'll be minutes away from a medical district . SMILE The Center is a great warm and safe place. The instructor is amicable and a warm human being.”
“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.”
“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 always looking forward to New Book Joy’s next book club events! I love participating in their interesting book discussions, whether it is in one of their bookstores, or a fun location that is chosen for the particular book we are reading. I can’t wait to stop by on April 25th for the annual Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl, celebrating Independent Bookstore Day.”
“Great bookstore and community space for events. They have a wide variety of books from fiction, history, memoirs, children section, stickers, and souvenirs. The place is warming and welcoming. The bookstore owner and family are always very helpful and friendly. They also have free non-perishable food to take, no questions asked.”
“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.”
“When I was isolated in grad school in Lexington Kentucky, I would make trips up here. It was as salvation. The world's best bookstore. Superb selection and equally magnificent staff.”
“Amazing selection of books- if it's not there- it will be ordered. The owner is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely will be returning in the future!”
“Peace to all my Solar Beings! The Underground Bookstore is a the Mecaa for those who wise to further there growth and development. This a modern day mystery school in the heart of a place where we need it most. So many Master Teachers have past threw this wonderful establishment! All praises due to Brother Yoel for dedicating his life to waking up our people!!!!!”
“Passages Wine & Books is my favorite third space in Chicago! The owner Amanda is passionate about her business, works closely with the community, and collaborates with fellow local businesses often. I love the wine & book pairing events most of all but I've really enjoyed every activity I've tried here to date, from the monthly book club, to trivia, and also silent bookclub. And if you aren't feeling the activity vibe, it's a great spot to relax, get cozy, and hang out at while you curl up with your most recent book or craft. Highly recommend!!”
“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!!!”
“I visited Time & Half Books on Independent Bookstore Day with a group of 4 other book lovers. Even though it was busy, the staff took the time to chat with customers and make everyone feel welcome. The friendly atmosphere—even while waiting in line—really showed the amazing community they've built. A few months later, Claire and the Time & Half Books team quickly helped when my Independent Bookstore Day card never arrived, even including a sticker in the mail. I live about an hour and a half away, but Time & Half Books is absolutely worth the drive and is a must-visit whenever I'm in the Chicago area.”
Barnes & Noble is proving that physical bookstores aren't going anywhere. The retailer just opened three new locations across Texas and South Carolina, marking another step in its comeback story. Barnes & Noble opened 57 stores in 2024 alone - more than it had opened in the entire decade from 2009 to 2019. The company isn't slowing down either, with plans to open more than 60 new stores in 2025 and a goal of reaching over 1,000 stores nationwide in the coming years.
