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Cool Bookish Places

33 Beautiful Chicago Bookstores

Christy Childers

Staff Writer

Christy Childers is a writer obsessed with books, travel, British television, & superheroes. She has lived in Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, & England, & is never happier than when she's visiting a new country or reading a new book. Blog: Postcards to Authors Twitter: ChildersChristy

This town has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to charming places to buy books. You could spend many, many happy hours browsing in these shops all over Chicagoland. Here are 33 beautiful, eclectic, independent Chicago bookstores to visit.

1. Pilsen Community Books in Pilsen (Instagram)

2. Roscoe Books in Roscoe Village (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

3. The Underground Bookstore in Calumet Heights

4. The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

5. Armadillo’s Pillow in Roger’s Park (Instagram)

6. 57th Street Books in Hyde Park (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

7. Myopic Books in Wicker Park

8. Selected Works in the Loop (Facebook)

9. Challenger’s Comics in Bucktown (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

10. Volumes Books in Wicker Park (Facebook | Twitter)

11. Uncharted Books in Logan Square (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

12. The Book Stall in Winnetka (Facebook | Twitter)

13. Barbara’s Bookstore in the Loop (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

14. Seminary Co-op in Hyde Park (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

15. Bookman’s Corner in Lakeview (Facebook)

16. G-Mart Comics in Logan Square (Facebook | Twitter)

17. Unabridged Bookstore in Lakeview (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

18. Read It And Eat in Lincoln Park (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

19. Quimby’s Bookstore in Wicker Park (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

20. Sandemeyer’s Bookstore in Printer’s Row (Facebook | Twitter)

21. Ravenswood Used Books in Ravenswood (Facebook)

22. Magic Tree Bookstore in Oak Park (Facebook | Twitter)

23. Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

24. City Lit Books in Logan Square (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

25. Women and Children First in Andersonville (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

26. Bucket O’Blood in Avondale (Facebook | Twitter)

A post shared by Rincey (@rinceya) on

27. Open Books in the West Loop (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

28. Powell’s Books Chicago in Hyde Park (Facebook)

29. Alleycat Comics in Andersonville (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

30. The Book Table in Oak Park (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram)

31. After-words in the Near North (Facebook)

32. Bookie’s in Beverly (Facebook)

33. Bookends and Beginnings in Evanston (Facebook)

Like I said… an embarrassment of riches. If you have more favorite Chicago bookstores that I missed, please do add them in the comments. And if you want more on Chicago bookstores and the whole bookish scene:

The Book Riot Guide to Chicago

A Ranking of Chicago’s Used Bookstores

Bookstore Bicycle Tour, Chicago Edition

Cool Bookish Places: Stony Island Arts Bank

100 Must-Read Books in and about Chicago

7 Cozy Chicago Bookstores

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