Exile in Bookville is a charming, tiny indie bookstore located on the second floor of the historic Fine Arts Building. Despite its small size, it offers a carefully curated and eclectic collection of books, with a strong focus on fiction, nonfiction, and Chicago reads. The space is beautifully lit by massive bay windows, creating a cozy atmosphere that highlights the hidden gems inside. The staff is friendly and always welcoming, making every visit enjoyable. The store features a wide selection of music memoirs and other unique titles, appealing to diverse interests. Visitors can also explore all ten floors of the building, which is a beautiful and accessible space. While the children’s section is limited, kids love the old-school elevator ride to the second floor. Overall, Exile in Bookville combines a lovely ambiance with a thoughtfully curated collection, making it a favorite spot for book lovers in Chicago.
The staff is friendly, and they have a nice, unique, and carefully curated collection of books
It’s a tiny bookstore in the Fine Arts Building, but it has so many different books – seemingly something for everyone
August 2025
A beautiful space, broad selection (especially of fiction) tucked up on the second floor of the Fine arts building
The massive bay windows pour light onto the covers and remind you of the hidden gems still stashed away in your city - visit immediately
August 2025
Tiny indie bookstore in the Fine Arts Building. The children’s selection is pretty limited, but my toddler loved the old school elevator ride to the second floor. Very nice selection of fiction and nonfiction, as well as a section for Chicago reads.
