“Magnificent bookstore!! So many new and classic mysteries. Augie, the owner, is so helpful. And, so many special events with authors! Have enjoyed for many, many years. ❤️❤️❤️”
“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”
“Just a bunch of "retro" stuff...like new and used vinyl records, bestseller and classic books, movies and various curiosities to thrill even the most adventurous thrillseeker of yesteryear.”
“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.”
10AM - 5PM
506 Main St, Evanston
Book Stores
“Staff are so friendly and helpful. The selection is amazing and if you want anything they dont have, they'll order it for you. Plus, the books groups (for adults and kids) are really fun.”
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!”
“I made an online order for a couple books to be delivered to a friend in Oak Park for her baby shower. The staff packaged the shipment as a gift, kept me updated with emails on the status, and they even ended up shipping the books even earlier than I expected. It was a really smooth process and they were so kind and helpful in each email interaction. I will be recommending the Book Table to my friend as a her go-to bookstore in Oak Park if it isn’t already.”
“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!”
“Loved the selection, especially the sections highlighting Palestine and Arab Heritage Month in April. The space was larger than I was expecting, the store goes in quite deep. There were a lot of people in the store on the Saturday that I visited, which was great to see. Will be back!!”
“Great local book store with a decent selection and fair pricing. All of the staff are wonderful, and if they don’t have a book in stock they can quickly order it for you.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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)”
“Phenomenal used bookstore. I love a place that looks like it goes on forever and this one has that old school, disheveled vibe. However, everything here is beautifully organized by genre and author/subject so it’s easy to find whatever you’re looking for. These days I’m always hunting for 40s/50s sci-fi paperbacks and Myopic had just about the biggest selection I’ve seen in recent years. Grabbed myself five cool titles in great shape for about $22. They had an impressive selection of art books as well and music books (the other types of books I usually hunt down) so I’ll be back when I’ve got more time to dig into those sections.”
“We love this neighborhood bookstore. The selection is amazing and they'll order whatever they don't have in stock if you ask. They're the best, support your local bookstores!”
“The owner of the bookstore, Bishop, is deeply wise, poetic, and knowledgeable. He is an authentic priest with ancestral links to Vodou, indigenous, and sought after occultic traditions. He has rare and cultivated abilities in magick of the highest order -- if you seek his care and knowledge, you will be blown away by his otherwordly presence! More than that, he has a generous and loving spirit and cares deeply for the community he serves. You are in the best hands with Bishop. The store's specialty seems to be in preserving occultic heritage and older and rare relics, so that's good to keep in mind.”
“A large variety of current and past books by old and new authors. Also CDs and small gifts and keepsake items for giving excellent customer service. Along with the delicious sit down and relax area and even further in the back there is an area to read on beautiful leather sofas. Well done, and thoughtfully designed .”
“I found this gem while driving by yesterday and had to check it out! I was met with such helpful and welcoming service plus a great selection of church history, commentaries, theology/doctrine and more! I can’t wait to come back and hang out there a little longer. ?”
“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!!!”
“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!”
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!”
“Absolutely incredible collection of the bizarre and underground. Independent publishers and books and magazines you won't find anywhere else. One of the greatest bookstores in the world.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“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.”
“Excellent university! I'm proud to have finished a degree there. The class room sizes are small and the staff and teachers were very helpful. Just a good Christian school.”