The best bookstores in Chicago

Chicago's first employee-owned and operated independent bookstore as of 2020, Pilsen Community Books invites you in with wall-to-wall shelves of books of all genres. Emphasizing the “community” in their name, the shop offers three subscription book programs, reading clubs, book talks and other events, and a neighborhood youth literacy program called Pilsen Reads. While it's a bookstore ideal for in-person browsing, the website also has wonderfully curated lists and staff picks to give you that feeling of discovery from home. 

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm

Address: 1531 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

This legendary used bookstore, one of Chicago's oldest and largest, stocks three floors' worth of books from floor to ceiling. Ask the friendly staff for recommendations, or choose your own adventure and wander the labyrinthine stacks to find your new favorite. 

Opening hours: Daily noon-8pm

Address: 1564 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Wicker Park’s Perpetual Books lives up to its mission of sourcing “unusual and exceptional” titles for the eccentric reader. The shop balances a sharp selection of fiction and poetry with a deep archive of vintage magazines and used vinyl records. Beyond the browsing, their steady rotation of book clubs and pop-up events makes it a true neighborhood staple.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 10am-6pm; Fri, Sat 10am-8pm

Address: 2136 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

One of River North's hidden gems, After-Words Bookstore houses two floors (and more than 70,000 titles) of new and used books. The shop features a wide variety of titles, including fiction, poetry, literature, photography, history, cookbooks and plenty more. On the lower level, comfortable chairs offer a cozy, quiet space to read before you check out.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu noon-8pm; Fri noon-10pm; Sat 10am-10pm; Sun noon-7pm

Address: 23 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611

Chicago history is everywhere in this bookstore, from its location on the second floor of the more-than-140-year-old Fine Arts Building to its name, taken from the iconic album by local legend Liz Phair. While the selection is vast and the stacks easy to get lost in, the highlight, as the name implies, is definitely the well-stocked music selection. Don’t miss the shop’s engaging Authors on Tap series, which highlights local lit luminaries like poet José Olivarez, novelist Lindsay Hunter and even Jeff Tweedy.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-4pm

Address: 410 S Michigan Ave Ste 210, Chicago, IL 60605

Handwritten, personal recommendations from employees line the shelves at Unabridged Bookstore, offering helpful, heartfelt tips for customers. The Lakeview shop is known for its extensive children's section but also stocks a diverse selection of literary fiction and nonfiction for more advanced readers.

Opening hours: Daily 10am-7pm

Address: 3251 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

Chicago's legendary feminist bookstore has been serving Andersonville and beyond since 1979, and while their selections of feminist and queer literature are excellent, you can find current and curated picks across all genres, as well as some fun bundles and subscriptions. An important community and literary hub, WCF supports local schools and groups like Chicago Books to Women in Prison, and hosts both in-person and virtual events, including outdoor storytime in the summer. Connect with fellow bookworms through book groups, including Banned Books, Well Read Black Girl and Classics of Women's Literature.

Opening hours: Mon noon-6pm; Tue-Sun 11am-6pm

Address: 5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Located on the second floor of The Shops at North Bridge, this intimate and pristinely organized manga shop is packed with titles from wall to wall. You'll find new releases and staff recommendations, plus dedicated webtoons, manhwa, LGBTQ+ and kids sections, in addition to merch, collectibles and special-edition tomes. Even though the space is small, you'll want to carve out enough time to browse the thousands of titles that line the walls.

Open Books isn’t your average bookstore. Opened in 2009, the shop is an outgrowth of the Open Books nonprofit, with a location at the Literacenter as well as Pilsen and Logan Square. More than 50,000 books—mostly used and donated, with some recent new titles—are housed in rows of wooden shelves painted in bright, cheerful colors. Open Books offers plenty of snug reading nooks for curling up with new finds and a dedicated children's and young adult section. All proceeds at the West Loop, Logan Square and North Lawndale locations go to literacy programs in the city, and the Pilsen location offers free books for kids and pay-what-you-can books for adults. 

Opening hours: Tue-Sat noon-6pm

Address: 905 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Wicker Park's Quimby's Comics is a zinester's paradise, with a vast selection of new DIY and small-press zines and a club celebrating them. Even if you're not into zines, there's something fun for you here amidst the comics, graphic novels, books and other weird, wonderful and thought-provoking art and text. 

Opening hours: Daily noon-7pm

Address: 1854 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Address: 1390 E Hyde Park Blvd, Chicago, IL 60615

Months after announcing its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Logan Square's beloved indie bookstore reopened in the summer of 2021 under the stewardship of local resident and former librarian Stephanie Kitchen. Curl up by the fireplace with a curated staff pick from this “book lover's bookstore,” or make a new friend through the shop's eclectic book clubs, like the horror-themed Blood & Guts, the queer On Earth We're Briefly Gay or the long-running Weird & Wonderful, a celebration of sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm

Address: 2523 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

From the floor-to-ceiling shelves to the chic café space to the selection itself, this Andersonville bookstore is giving us drama. A theatre-focused bookshop celebrating the creative process, The Understudy houses more than 3,500 plays, books on technique, titles from local authors and more. Beyond the inventory or the opportunity to talk casting rumors over Metric coffee, the shop’s community-centric programming is a theatre nerd’s dream, from exciting new plays to staged readings to drag shows. 

Opening hours: Daily 8am-6pm

Address: 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

A passionate reader and member of the community known as “romancelandia,” Amanda Anderson opened The Last Chapter in Roscoe Village in September of 2023. Romance lovers can pick up titles by popular authors like Sarah J. Maas and Jasmine Guillory, or browse by genre (sports, holiday, etc.), along with sections highlighting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC love stories. Before you leave, snap a selfie in one of the ‘gram-worthy photo booths, and even share the name of the fictional character you’re not-so-secretly pining for. 

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm; Sat, Sun 11am-7pm

Address: 2013 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618

Far-north Edgebrook is home to the brick-and-mortar of one of Chicagoland’s most unique bookstore experiences, which offers a more tailored take on searching for that perfect literary match. Founded by two teachers passionate about building relationships and fostering a love of literature, New Book Joy offers recommendations and reading resources for not just adult readers, but for kids, teens and families to enjoy together. The colorful shelves are fun to browse, but what sets New Book Joy apart is the focus on curation, from tailored boxes for readers of all ages to their popular Book Club Tastings, where discussions are paired with a grown-up event like a cooking demo or cocktail class. 

Opening hours: Thu-Sun 10am-4pm

Address: 5512 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

Avid book lover and former media sales mogul Erika VanDam had always dreamed of opening a bookstore. Her dream came to life when she opened her Roscoe Village shop, a haven for all local bookworms. Step into the store and it's easy to sense the passion in the air, with details like handwritten "staff favorite" notes and a large variety of community events. The shop offers books of all genres—fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, parenting, biographies, memoirs and more—but its children's section, with a dreamy hand-painted mural, is what you'll want to write home about. 

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-6pm

Address: 2142 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618

When it comes to bookstores, this place defines class. Not only can you browse books while sipping wine, but the staff recommendations are just what you want them to be: Varied and idiosyncratic. Attend events ranging from engaging talks with up-and-coming local authors to reading and yoga sessions, or build community with one of the shop's many book clubs, including the Racial Justice Book Club and Never Too Old, a YA reading club for adults.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-8pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-4pm

Address: 4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Tangible Books is one of those Chicago bookstores that rewards wandering in without a plan. Located in Bridgeport, the shop offers an expansive selection of fiction, nonfiction and memoirs, with shelves piled high with used titles. Beyond the books, Tangible doubles as a community hub, hosting author events, concerts and even yoga sessions. In a city that holds its indie bookstores dear, Tangible earns its place by keeping things personal—and, fittingly, tangible.

Opening hours: Daily 10am-7pm

Address: 3326 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

This laid-back Andersonville bookshop is chock-full of used books, from newly released literature to nonfiction favorites. Give yourself ample time to peruse the shelves, or start your journey with their easy-to-use online rare book catalogue, whose categories range from adventure and travel to conspiracies to Disney. Ramona, the shop dog, is an added bonus.

Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Sun 10am-6pm

Address: 3632 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

This cozy, women-owned West Loop bookstore packs a punch. Floor-to-ceiling shelves of classics, recent releases and hard-to-find small-press titles are a dream come true for any book lover, and the robust events calendar offers in-person gatherings for all types of readers. Though owner Mary Mollman’s grand opening was just before the 2020 pandemic, her loyal customers ensured she made it through. From author talks to writer’s workshops and “low commitment” book clubs, Madison Street Books is a place to get your favorite reads and make like-minded connections.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am-6pm

Address: 1127 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607

After noticing a lack of access to stories by and for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Restoried Bookshop owner Justin Valas was determined to make them more readily available. In late 2024, Valas opened the first of its kind store in Chicago in Albany Park. Apart from featuring books about the AANHPI experience, the shop aims to create a familial atmosphere where you’ll feel at home. Cozy up in the living room-esque seating area that's perfect for reading and relaxing.

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 3:30-6:30pm; Wed 3:30-6:30pm; Sat 11am-6:30pm

Address: 4613 N Kedzie Ave Storefront, Chicago, IL 60625

Named for a distinctive plant native to the Chicago area, this Avondale bookshop, fittingly, focuses on “new books and local artists’ goods that remind us of humans’ own place in our more-than-human world.” As much an intentional community space as a bookstore, Skunk Cabbage hosts workshops and skill-share evenings focused on topics like creative reuse and accessible sustainability, along with other activities like book clubs and nature walks.

Opening hours: Tue, Wed 11am-6pm; Thu, Fri 11am-7pm; Sat, Sun 10am-6pm

Address: 2826 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

When the owners of Three Avenues Bookshop say the store is “family run,” they mean it—owners Tim Wurman and Jordan Felkey are life partners, co-parents, and now, business partners. Since November 2022, this West Lakeview shop has been serving neighbors with an inviting space and an extensive selection, especially for children’s literature. But readers of all ages are welcome at Three Avenues, especially for events like live storytimes, audiobook walks and author talks. 

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 10am-5pm

Address: 3009 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

This Hyde Park landmark is a great place to rely on employee selections and to check out some more intellectual fare. Many readings here fall into the academic/nonfiction category, though the shop often features authors who have written about local history.

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11am-6pm; Sat, Sun 10am-5pm

Address: 1301 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637

Located in the South Loop, this family-owned-and-operated book shop has been in business since 1982. Step into the brick building, and you'll find shelves filled with new releases, travel guides and books to keep you occupied on your train ride home.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-7pm; Thu 10am-8pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm

Address: 714 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605

Los Amigos Books owner Laura Rodríguez-Romaní is mission-driven. Growing up bilingual and as an educator, she understands the importance of language. Her store serves to provide Chicagoans with a top-notch selection for bilingual readers of all ages, and in particular children and young adults, all carefully curated from domestic and international publishers from around Latin America and Spain. The store also prioritizes books, music and games written and created by Latiné and Hispanic authors, like Chicago’s own Erika L. Sanchez. Most importantly, Los Amigos strives for a world in which children of all backgrounds feel represented—especially Spanish speakers. So bring your little ones for bilingual book browsing, Spanish storytime and cultural celebrations like Day of the Dead. You’ll likely find treasures for yourself, too.

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 10am-3pm

Address: 2207 N Western Ave C2, Chicago, IL 60647

Powell's is known for its selection of scholarly books, but also caters to the everyday general interest reader, adults and children alike–with over a quarter million rare, used, and discounted books.

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Sun 10am-5pm; Wed-Sat 11am-7pm

Address: 1501 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637

Founded in 1961 by a group of book lovers, the Seminary Co-op is a community-owned bookstore that specializes in academic titles. For years, the store was based out of the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary, but in 2012 it moved to its current above-ground location on the South Side.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm; Sat 10am-5pm

Address: 5751 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Small but mighty, this shop from the mother-daughter duo Verlean Singletary and Courtney Woods is committed to literary growth and youth engagement. Formerly housed in the Boxville marketplace in Bronzeville, Da Book Joint teamed up with Stoviink Creatives in late 2024 to open a new literacy, wellness and creative space in South Shore called Pen & Paper. There, you can browse Da Book Joint’s excellent youth and children's book selection centered around Black stories and Black authors as well as shop for candles, apparel, beauty products and more.

Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Sat 11am-7pm; Sun noon-4pm

Address: 6900 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60649

If wandering through colorful stacks of older books and settling in an old rocking chair to read for a while sounds like a good time, this bohemian Rogers Park treasure trove will be your new favorite spot. Since 1994, the charming shop—which is covered in folk art and other artifacts—has been a local favorite for seekers of rare and used books. 

Opening hours: Mon-Fri, Sun noon-8pm; Sat 10am-8pm

Address: 6753 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626

On the far South Side and need some reading material? Check out this well-stocked Beverly-Morgan Park indie bookstore. Bookie's offers new and used titles, and their online interface makes it even easier to shop local and independent. There are even a few cafe tables out front in the warmer months if you want to take your purchases outside and enjoy them right away.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon-6pm

Address: 10324 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643