The majority of the books you own may come to you via a quick click on your phone or computer, but that doesn’t mean you should banish browsing bookstores. The best Chicago bookstores not only showcase a variety of books but also offer up a unique ambiance for inspiration. At these independent shops across town, you’ll get a taste of the city you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Open Books
Brightly colored bookshelves, a cozy book nook, and tens of thousands of covers to open. The real highlight? Open Books is also a nonprofit organization and each of your book purchases supports literacy for children and adults across Chicago.
The Book Cellar
Cozy up with a glass of wine in one hand and a book in the other at The Book Cellar, a Lincoln Square shop that highlights books by local and first time authors. Grab an espresso drink from the cafe to fuel hours of book browsing.
Myopic Books
Myopic Books, a dizzying three story 80,000-book lair, is one of Chicago’s oldest and largest used book shops and fits in quite well with Wicker Park’s hipster vibe. Come for the books but stay for the experimental music series and periodic poetry readings.
Quimby’s
The stranger, the better at Quimby’s. This haven for comics and small press zines is part-curated, part-consignment. It gives independent authors a chance to show their stuff and readers a chance to discover new talent.
Unabridged Bookstore
A personal suggestion goes a long way and at Unabridged Bookstore you’ll find plenty. You’ll love the super knowledgeable staff, hand-written recommendations, not to mention one of the best children’s book selections in the city.
Uncharted Books
When a dog (in this case, one named Ramona Quimby) greets you at the door of Uncharted Books, you’ll feel right at home. Visitors are encouraged to browse, ask questions, work, and strike up conversation in this homey book shop. If you’re looking to uncover hard-to-find gems, visit the bookstore’s rare books room, the Adventurer’s Club.
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