“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!”
“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!”
“Wonderful collection of horror films (with the best little write-ups accompanying some titles), a great queer horror book section, and great music and vinyl collection too! Staff is always great too”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“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!”
11:30AM - 6:30PM
4613 N Kedzie Ave Storefront, Chicago
Book Stores
“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!”
“Very nice staff! It is the closest Barnes to me and has a cafe. The other Barnes & Noble near me is brand new and large but no cafe, sadly. The only downside to this one is the carpets are really nasty. Often they look like they have not been ran over by a vacuum in quite some time. I think it’s a shame that that is the first thing customers can see when they walk into this store and they might judge the store on that appearance instead of the attitudes and personalities of the lovely staff members.
Edit: just went there and I see they have fresh new carpets! Looks great.”
“Such a cute store! Went the other day to look for some holiday gifts and spent over an hour just wondering around. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful. The toy selection was unique and well priced, and the Christmas decor was incredible! Definitely worth the drive!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“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!!!”
“Shannon deserves mass credit and a RAISE. She went above and beyond helping me secure a vinyl that two other B&N could not. I mean this employee looked & looked & looked and talked to me during the search process. A great person and employee. Shannon I hope you have an amazing day and thank you again for your help.”
“This is the kind of bookstore I remember from my youth but is almost extinct now. A labyrinth of books with gems hidden everywhere. If you're looking for a tight organizational system, accessible aisles/stairways, or pre priced books welllll: go elsewhere. This place rules and I'm so glad it exists”
“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.”
“Always a wonderful experience when visiting. Staff is always super friendly and readily available to help. They’ve been able to find books for me I’ve searched weeks trying to find.”
10AM - 7PM
5507 W Belmont Ave, Chicago
Book Stores
“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!”
“Iqra bookstore was very beautiful, with a lot of wonderful books. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I'm happy to support a Muslim business that promotes islamic education. May Allah reward team Iqra immensely!!”
“Fantastic selection on African American and African history, biographies, children's literature, comic books with Black/Latino characters, selections of hair and skin care like shea butters, aprons, artwork by Black artists, teachers resources too.”
“A wonderful place with very friendly and welcoming staff! They offer a great selection of devotional articles, souvenirs, and religious books. Whether you're looking for a meaningful gift, something for a special religious occasion, or simply something to deepen your faith, you will definitely find it here. Highly recommend!”
“Store had a really good selection for a good price. Wish I had been offered a better offer for the books I brought in but it was still worth the visit. I will be back.”
10AM - 1PM
405 N Euclid Ave, Oak Park
Book Stores
“I joined Unity of Oak Park in 2025, and I love it! Rev. Ev is a great minister, and the community is inclusive and multicultural. The music is phenomenal. Come on by and come on in!”
“My go-to place when I need a Polish book or a CD. I live out of state, so whenever I order something and it might not be in stock, the owner calls me to let me know about the options or delay. Extremely kind and friendly. I always make sure to visit in person when I’m in town and always find something for myself. I highly recommend it!”
“Amazing little polish bookstore. When in doubt, you can always call ahead to see availability of a title. Lady there is very friendly and very helpful. Amazing experience.”
“The staff here are very knowledgeable and kind! The gentleman helping me choose my Bible gave great insight on selecting the right bible version for me. They have Bible options available for all versions to suit all readers. They stock different options in multiple colors and sizes also! They even have highlighters, tabs, and book marks! The two gentlemen on staff during my visit were very helpful and the shop has a great atmosphere! I will definitely be back!”