Bookstores in Chicago
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Chicago, IL gives you 102 to judge by. That's 102 bookshops mapped around Chicago, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Chicago (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include DePaul University Bookstore and Barnes & Noble, plus Barbara's Bookstore. If a bookshop's missing from Chicago's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Chicago bookstore lineup
102 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
DePaul University Bookstore
BookstoreRun by DePaul University
Run by DePaul University, DePaul University Bookstore is Bookstore, found on North Sheffield Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about DePaul University Bookstore: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00; Sa 11:00-17:00.
North Sheffield Avenue, Chicago, 60614
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00; Sa 11:00-17:00
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 08:00-22:00; Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-18:00.
Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-22:00; Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-18:00
Barbara's Bookstore
Bookstore
Barbara's Bookstore is Bookstore. Barbara's Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 07:00-19:00.
Hours: 07:00-19:00
Challengers Comics
Bookstore
Challengers Comics is Bookstore on 1845 North Western Avenue, Chicago.
1845 North Western Avenue, Chicago, 60647
Rosenblum's World of Judaica
Bookstore
Rosenblum's World of Judaica — Bookstore, found on 9153 Gross Point Road in Skokie.
9153 Gross Point Road, Skokie, 60077
IIT Campus Bookstore
BookstoreRun by BN College
IIT Campus Bookstore is Bookstore run by BN College.
Booked
Bookstore
Booked is Bookstore on 506 Main Street, Evanston. Booked also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00; it has a website with more detail.
506 Main Street, Evanston, 60202
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00
Comix Revolution
Bookstore
Comix Revolution is Bookstore on 606 Davis Street, Evanston. Comix Revolution also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
606 Davis Street, Evanston, 60201
Phone: +1-847-866-8659
Bookends & Beginnings
Bookstore
Bookends & Beginnings — Bookstore, found on 1620 Orrington Avenue in Evanston. Also worth knowing about Bookends & Beginnings: the map lists its hours as 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1620 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, 60201
Hours: 10:00-18:00
Phone: +1 224-999-7722
Middles Used Books
Bookstore
Middles Used Books — Bookstore, found on 1630 Orrington Avenue in Evanston.
1630 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, 60201
Barbara's Bookstore
Bookstore
Barbara's Bookstore is Bookstore. Barbara's Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 06:00-21:00.
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-21:00
Graham Crackers Comics
Bookstore
Graham Crackers Comics is Bookstore on 77 East Madison Street, Chicago. Graham Crackers Comics also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
77 East Madison Street, Chicago, 60603
57th Street Books
Bookstore
57th Street Books is Bookstore on 1301 East 57th Street, Chicago. 57th Street Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 11:00-19:30; Sa-Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1301 East 57th Street, Chicago, 60637
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-19:30; Sa-Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +1 773-684-1300
Barbara's Bookstore
Bookstore
Barbara's Bookstore is Bookstore. Barbara's Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 06:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-21:00
Phone: +1 773 686 1281
The Book Table
Bookstore
The Book Table is Bookstore on 1045 Lake Street, Oak Park. The Book Table also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1045 Lake Street, Oak Park, 60301
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 11:00-18:00
Phone: +1-708-386-9800
Beck's Book Store
Bookstore
Beck's Book Store is Bookstore.
Alleycat Comics
Bookstore
Alleycat Comics — Bookstore, found on 5304 North Clark Street in Chicago.
5304 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60640
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 631 Boughton Road in Bolingbrook. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
631 Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, 60440
Phone: +1 630 7830009
Seminary Co-op Bookstore
Bookstore
Seminary Co-op Bookstore is Bookstore on 5751 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago. Seminary Co-op Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Sa-Su 10:00-17:00; Mo-Fr 11:00-19:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5751 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, 60637
Hours: Sa-Su 10:00-17:00; Mo-Fr 11:00-19:30
Phone: +1 773-752-4381
Dark Tower Comics
Bookstore
Dark Tower Comics — Bookstore.
After-Words
Bookstore
After-Words is Bookstore on 23 East Illinois Street, Chicago.
23 East Illinois Street, Chicago, 60611
Myopic Books
Bookstore
Myopic Books — Bookstore, found on 1564 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Myopic Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 12:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1564 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60622
Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-20:00
Phone: +1-773-862-4882
Occult Bookstore
Bookstore
Occult Bookstore is Bookstore on 3031 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago.
3031 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60618
Polonia Bookstore
Bookstore
Polonia Bookstore — Bookstore, found on 4759 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.
4759 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60630
Open Books West Loop
Bookstore
Open Books West Loop is Bookstore on 651 West Lake Street, Chicago. Open Books West Loop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as We-Th 12:30-18:00; Fr-Su 10:30-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
651 West Lake Street, Chicago, 60661
Hours: We-Th 12:30-18:00; Fr-Su 10:30-18:00
Phone: +1-312-475-1355
Prairie Path Books
Bookstore
Prairie Path Books — Bookstore.
Bargain Books
Bookstore
Bargain Books is Bookstore.
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 4999 Old Orchard Center in Skokie. Also worth knowing about Barnes & Noble: it has a website with more detail.
4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 60077
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
Bookstore
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore — Bookstore, found on 7419 Madison Street in Forest Park. Also worth knowing about Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
7419 Madison Street, Forest Park, 60130
Phone: +1 708 771 7243
The Magic Tree Bookstore
Bookstore
The Magic Tree Bookstore — Bookstore, found on 141 North Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park.
141 North Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, 60301
The Looking Glass
Bookstore
The Looking Glass — Bookstore, found on 823 South Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park.
823 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, 60304
The Armadillo's Pillow Bookstore
Bookstore
The Armadillo's Pillow Bookstore is Bookstore on 6733 North Sheridan Road, Chicago. The Armadillo's Pillow Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Su-Fr 12:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-20:00; PH off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
6733 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, 60626
Hours: Su-Fr 12:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-20:00; PH off
Phone: +1-773-761-2558
University of Chicago Bookstore
BookstoreRun by BNCollege
University of Chicago Bookstore is Bookstore run by BNCollege on 970 East 58th Street, Chicago. University of Chicago Bookstore also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
970 East 58th Street, Chicago, 60637
Frugal Muse Books
Bookstore
Frugal Muse Books — Bookstore.
Kinokuniya
Bookstore
Kinokuniya — Bookstore, found on 100 East Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights. Also worth knowing about Kinokuniya: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
100 East Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, 60005
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
Phone: +1-847-427-2665
Sandmeyer's
Bookstore
Sandmeyer's — Bookstore, found on 714 South Dearborn Street in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Sandmeyer's: the map lists its hours as Mo-We,Fr 10:00-19:00; Th 10:00-20:00; Sa,Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
714 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, 60605
Hours: Mo-We,Fr 10:00-19:00; Th 10:00-20:00; Sa,Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +1 312-922-2104
First Aid Comics
Bookstore
First Aid Comics — Bookstore, found on 1617 East 55th Street in Chicago. Also worth knowing about First Aid Comics: it has a website with more detail.
1617 East 55th Street, Chicago, 60615
Barbara's Bookstore
Bookstore
Barbara's Bookstore is Bookstore. Barbara's Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 06:00-21:00.
Hours: 06:00-21:00
Uncharted Books
Bookstore
Uncharted Books — Bookstore, found on 3632 North Western Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Uncharted Books: the map lists its hours as We-Mo 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3632 North Western Avenue, Chicago, 60618
Hours: We-Mo 10:00-18:00
Phone: +1-773-769-2518
Ink
Bookstore
Ink — Bookstore.
Aw Yeah Comics
Bookstore
Aw Yeah Comics is Bookstore on 7925 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie. Aw Yeah Comics also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
7925 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, 60077
Unabridged Bookstore
Bookstore
Unabridged Bookstore is Bookstore on 3251 North Broadway, Chicago. Unabridged Bookstore also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3251 North Broadway, Chicago, 60657
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-19:00
Phone: +1-773-883-9119
The Dial Boomshop
Bookstore
The Dial Boomshop is Bookstore on 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago. The Dial Boomshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60605
First Aid Comics
Bookstore
First Aid Comics — Bookstore, found on 1142 West Taylor Street in Chicago.
1142 West Taylor Street, Chicago, 60607
Madison Street Books
Bookstore
Madison Street Books is Bookstore on 1127 West Madison Street, Chicago.
1127 West Madison Street, Chicago, 60607
Anderson's Bookshop
Bookstore
Anderson's Bookshop is Bookstore on 5112 Main Street, Downers Grove. Anderson's Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
5112 Main Street, Downers Grove, 60515
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +16309632665
Women & Children First
Bookstore
Women & Children First is Bookstore on 5233 North Clark Street, Chicago. Women & Children First also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Su 11:00-18:00; Mo 00:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5233 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60640
Hours: Tu-Su 11:00-18:00; Mo 00:00-18:00
Phone: +1-773-769-9299
Burst Into Books
Bookstore
Burst Into Books is Bookstore on 11001 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Burst Into Books also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
11001 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60628
Phone: +1-312-970-9551
Galaxy Comics
Bookstore
Galaxy Comics — Bookstore.
Graham Crackers Comics
Bookstore
Graham Crackers Comics is Bookstore on 5028 North Clark Street, Chicago. Graham Crackers Comics also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00.
5028 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60640
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore, found on 160 Orland Park Place in Orland Park.
160 Orland Park Place, Orland Park, 60462
Tangible Books
Bookstore
Tangible Books — Bookstore, found on 3326 South Halsted Street in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Tangible Books: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3326 South Halsted Street, Chicago, 60608
Phone: +1-773-565-4088
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore.
Books-A-Million
Bookstore
Books-A-Million — Bookstore.
Sheep Cult Comics
Bookstore
Sheep Cult Comics is Bookstore on 1632 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago. Sheep Cult Comics also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-20:00; it has a website with more detail.
1632 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
Half Price Books
Bookstore
Half Price Books — Bookstore.
Christian Science Reading Room
Bookstore
Christian Science Reading Room is Bookstore on 55 East Wacker Drive, Chicago. Christian Science Reading Room also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo,Fr 11:00-15:00; Tu 12:00-15:00; Th 10:00-14:00.
55 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, 60601
Hours: Mo,Fr 11:00-15:00; Tu 12:00-15:00; Th 10:00-14:00
Barnes & Noble
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble — Bookstore.
The Understudy
Bookstore
The Understudy — Bookstore, found on 5531 North Clark Street in Chicago. Also worth knowing about The Understudy: the map lists its hours as 08:00-18:00; it has a website with more detail.
5531 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60640
Hours: 08:00-18:00
Ravenswood Used Books
Bookstore
Ravenswood Used Books — Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in Chicago
43 of the 102 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
45 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
The Chicago bookstore crawl
Making a day of it in Chicago? Work this order: DePaul University Bookstore on North Sheffield Avenue, Barnes & Noble, Barbara's Bookstore, Challengers Comics on 1845 North Western Avenue, Rosenblum's World of Judaica on 9153 Gross Point Road, IIT Campus Bookstore, Booked on 506 Main Street, and Comix Revolution on 606 Davis Street. That's the bookstore crawl in one sensible loop, no backtracking. 94 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Chicago
The regulars' playbook for Chicago's bookshops:
- Ask about ordering at DePaul University Bookstore. Independent shops will order anything in print, often in a day or two. No need to default to the big online retailer.
- Check the cookbook section at Barnes & Noble. Cookbooks are the most browsed and least bought section, which means the used shelf is full of barely-touched gems.
- The used section is underpriced everywhere. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
- Magazines and journals matter. The little-magazine rack is where new writers appear first. Cheap, weird, and full of discoveries.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Chicago — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in Chicago can take a while to appear. The 102 above are only as current as the community map. A bookstore that's shut, or a new one nobody's added yet, gets fixed with a single OpenStreetMap edit.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 102 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for Chicago: 102 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.