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11AM - 5PM
811 Elm St, Winnetka
Book Stores
“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!”
“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!”
“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”
10AM - 3PM
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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
10:30AM - 6PM
1620 Orrington Ave, Evanston
Book Stores
“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.”
“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!”
“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!!”
“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.”
“I love Book Bin! I've been coming here for years..the staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. I usually find something I'm into. Also, I don't want the initimate small book shop to go away. :)”
“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.”
“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”
“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.”
“I came in a rush. Waiting for an Uber. Told someone at this book store I wanted a funny dry fiction book. Just finished it. Great selection. Great book store. Spend money there.”
“The perfect bookstore aesthetic. The staff are helpful and the vibes are romantic and welcoming. I strongly encourage anyone to going at least once (or a dozen). Already bought a book, some manga, and even a graphic novel from this bookshop.”
“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!!”
“Tashi is such a nice person, he is so helpful, kind and considerate. The store has a wonderful calm feeling when you enter. There is a great variety of items from Nepal, plus other local areas as well. Thank you Tashi for keeping the doors open.”
“Love this beautiful book store. The owner was lovely and the book selection could do well in Cambridge England. Wonderful
Selection for expansive and curious people.”
“I buy 90% of my books from here! Consistently having amazing experiences each time I shop!! I’ve been able to get my hands of so much of my fave feminist lit here too :)”
“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.”
“Norris Bookstore excels through the decades! My first experience here was in 1990 as an NU freshman—the staff were kind, helpful and efficient, making the whole experience so easy. Thirty-five years later, on the first day of Fall Quarter classes, I wandered into the bookstore this morning and the vibe is exactly the same—staff busily ensuring all the students, new and retuning alike, have just what they need to succeed in the classes. A special shout-out to General Mgr Steve who was in the aisles helping out a confused student—Steve was knowledgeable, empathetic and efficient. It’s wonderful to see the culture of this place has stayed true to the highest level of customer service through almost 4 decades!”
“The birds here are high quality for sure. I'm mad that I didn't know about this place sooner! I've been getting cheap and untrustworthy birds for years. Truly a saving grace for my bird fascinations.”
“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.”
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“Book Stall is a very beautiful and cozy bookstore that I recently visited for the first time. I have a 2-year-old and loved the selection of the Children's Corner. The space was appropriately festive for the holiday season. Highly recommend a visit.”