“This is my favorite bookstore. I'm not a Christian myself, nor can I read Hangul, but there's just a positive energy about this place. They are friendly and eager to offer a deal if you buy multiple items. I recommend their music collection, which can be enjoyed without understanding Korean.”
“This place is amazing. First time going there and they have things for everybody and you can buy and sell books. Tapes DVDs CDs albums 45s it's like unbelievable. We'll go back again for sure”
“Today I took my great grandson to this bookstore,he loved everything the free coloring area,the fitget toys the books,this bookstore is one of a kind an really kept him interested,he also loved the little door,we purchased a few things,will definitely be back.......”
“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!”
“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 ….”
“We happened to be in Evanston during our Chicago trip and someone recommended us that we visit Squeezebox Books and Music. Given the book nerds we are, we did. It’s a sublime place—rows and rows of books and records all neatly arranged, old interspersed with the new, and the resulting joy from finding a classic book or a record that reminds you of a time in your life is indescribable. We spent hours here perusing. The staff were kind and polite. The jazz playing in the back room was inviting as well. :) All in all, it’s a 10/10 bookstore!”
“A great independent bookstore that always seems to have something of interest in their curated sections. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and even gives some great recommendations. And if there is a book you want that isn't in the store, they'll order it for you and have it arrive in a couple days. Support local bookstores that care about books over big box retailers that don't. You'll miss places like this in your community when they are gone.”
“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 store has an impressive and comprehensive selection of books on Judaism, Jewish history, Kabbala, and all related subjects. The staff is knowledgeable and can direct you to the right section. There is also an equally impressive selection of objects for life cycle events and Holidays: from Shabbat candlesticks to honey dishes to prayer shawls to mezuzot. These come in all styles and in all price ranges. The store also has a great selection of jewelry and giftware. A must stop.”
“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!”
“I used to go to the last location and it definitely felt like a hidden gem it was great. The new location does feel more open less cramped than before. My only complaints is that the cooking section is tucked in a corner downstairs I wish it was more in the open. My other complaint is that I wish all the books had a price on them. I kept finding myself looking at a book trying to figure out the price. I didn’t want to go up to check out to find out the price especially when I was downstairs. Other than those issues the staff was very helpful and friendly. They do have more of a selection since the new location is bigger. I’d recommend stopping by if you’re around it’s worth the stop.”
“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 book store with many great finds over the years. Not very many rare book stores left in the Chicago area. This store reminds me of old times when you could find many old book shops.”
“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.”
“The coaches are AMAZING!! They motivate you in so many ways with words of encouragement, energy, cheering for you to keep going and push past the idea of what you think you can do!! Each coach brings a little something different to class but all of them are rooting for you!!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“My Pyrenees and I love our visits here! The owner is always in good spirits and extremely welcoming allowing my dog to relax in his shop as I search for something special. Tashi has a wide array of gifts and singing bowls that range in price. If you love incense, musical instruments, perfume oils and colorful ✨ tapestries and clothes you will find everything you need here! It's definitely worth the visit. He even sells books about Buddhism and Tibetan prayer flags. We always have a good time here!”
“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!!!”
“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.”
“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!”
“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!!”
“Great place with assistance to match. I called in asked for what i needed,got pricing and availability went and purchased. All in less than 20 min. Definitely recommend 👌”
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.
