Such a cool space!!! They have a huge downstairs level full of books too. Wow! There is a large hand sanitizer dispenser near the entrance and everyone who enters is asked to sanitize their hands before touching books. I like that. They also have a really spacious separate room available for events. The Chicago Writer's Association hosted a lovely event there last night, and my boyfriend was chosen as one of the 12 Chicago writers to read some of his work. I'm glad we know about this bookstore now. read more

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This is the kind of bookstore you can "lose time in" because the majority of shopping is in the basement - time just ceases to exist if you let it. The upstairs is sort of a mixed bag/ retail space, and the lower level is vast, cozy and well-organized. They did not have any of the newer titles I was looking for, but that didn't stop me from hours of browsing. It feels more like a library than the big box bookstores. I support local, independent and reading of actual books whenever possible! Long live paper and ink! read more

I love support location stores, especially when buying books!! Most of the selection is downstairs and they have a lot of things to choose from. I'll usually choose to go here instead of Barnes & Noble if I need something. I will say the prices are kind of steep, but that's I guess the price you pay if you need a book now and want to support a small business. There are a couple of rules to be aware of in the store - hand sanitizing before entering and being mindful of the other shoppers. The staff is really helpful and can quickly look up what they have in stock. read more

A bookstore open late on a Saturday - what a treat! I happened to be walking by after dinner and decided to pop in. Immediately I was asked to step to the side to use hand sanitizer. I noticed there were quite a few signs with rules, and the workers reminded me of strict librarians, which gave this place a weird vibe so I didn't stay long. The upstairs is small but definitely don't miss the basement that has more of a selection. I was able to find a few books on my "to read" list and prices were reasonable for an independent store - I like the fact they have both new and used options. Overall, a no frills place to pick up a book if you're in the area. read more

Super cute book store with TONS of books! They have a huge basement filled with a variety of genres. They sell used and knew I thought the pricing was very fair. I love the kids selections they had cute books about Chicago. Service was helpful read more

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I'm a bookstore fan and this is a great bookstore. They have a very good selection. More new than used and some more obscure titles right along with standards. Shelves and sections are well organized and the staff is friendly. read more

Overall, a well-stocked bookstore with a good general assortment of books. It didn't feel like it had a super strong curation, but had a decent amount of the most popular books. I was a little weirded out by the Neil Gaiman display and so much J.K. Rowling, lol. It did feel a little bit like a remainder bookstore without remainder pricing. I think it would be a good place to browse if you were looking for a new read, but didn't have a particular title in mind. read more

The selection is amazing because there are many books out of the ordinary in all fields of interest. The person selecting the offer is absolutely someone who thinks about culture and not just the usual repetitive writings. If you are curious and like to read you cannot miss this gem read more

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I don't know what kind of trouble they've had with dirty customers, but the forced use of sanitizer on entering the store wasn't appreciated. At the very least, they could use the kind that won't set off artificial scent allergies like this cheap one did. I found it overpriced and not well curated. Three stars because it is a bookstore after all, and I am glad such things still exist. read more

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Great independent book shop! Selection, service, and overall vibe were great. Will go back.

Great selection! As an educator, I was thrilled to find books that had been banned by CPS.

This is where books talk to me. Say no more. Except that Yelp wanted me to add one more sentence so I did. read more

After-Words - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great selection, more new than used in many sections, but they have a lot to offer! It's very conveniently located near all of the tourist areas in the downtown area. The prices are pretty standard, the staff is nice and helpful. I noticed a lot of unique books and a lot of popular options. I'll definitely be back here the next time I'm in Chicago! read more

After-Words - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great independent book store ticket away in River North. We were greeted when we entered the store and given instructions on how the books were labeled. They sell both new and used books, but I definitely saw more new books in the fiction section, and more used books in the nonfiction section. There weren't many recent nonfiction books, which was a bit frustrating, and their travel section is extremely limited. However, pricing was great. For used books, they add an additional 25% discount for books that have been in store 1+ years. Will definitely come back. read more

After-Words - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Seemed like a good book store, but was disappointed to see the "chick lit" label for the romance section downstairs. My friend and I were actually stopped in our tracks by it. Please do better. read more

I found this gem of a bookstore while walking from the Navy Pier to Lou Malnati's. This is a locally owned bookstore that has two floors to it. There was a very nice lady who recommended some good books about Chicago. We talked for a long time. I liked that she was personable and knowledgeable about the history of Chicago. Later in our conversation, I learned that she is a co-owner of the store. I liked that she didn't brag or flaunt that to me. On this particular evening, it was drizzling outside so it was a perfect opportunity to get out of the rain and browse books. There are plenty of books to browse so plan ahead to spend enough time here. After you descend the stairs to browse the downstairs area, there is a staff member there willing to assist with anything you may be looking for. I love the wood and brick feel to this place. I would be curious to know more about the history of this building. I ended up purchasing The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson. I was content with my purchase as I want to know more about Chicago via the HH Holmes tragedy and I believe in supporting a local business. I was also given a bookmark with my purchase. This would be a good place to check out on a museum day or an inclement weather type day. I would definitely return to this bookstore and spend more time browsing books. This was well worth the visit! read more

After-Words - Interior of the bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

No bathroom available even for a paying customer, and none close by. Don't expect to stay long. read more

Nice 2 level bookstore with used and new books an have a nice selection or kids and adults. For now they said they don't buy used books from the community but maybe in a few months they said. Nice staff. Oh and you must sanitize your hands as soon a you enter which I think is a good ask bc you will be touching books. read more

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Great bookstore. A book lover's dream. Great staff!! Both new and used books. If you're looking for a hard to find book, look here. read more

This bookstore is on my itinerary whenever I visit Chicago. Eclectic selection. Be sure to browse.

I love this bookstore! The staff are so friendly, and they stand firm in not letting entitled manchildren bring electric scooters into the store. 10/10 support local! read more

Love this little bookstore. It evokes that bygone era of a bookstore for books. No coffee. No cafe. No comfy chairs dotting the aisle or tucked into a quiet nook but the books are varied and diverse. A store for the lover of books. For us it was an hour of quiet perusing after a few hours of hectic shopping. We'll be back! read more

The perfect little independent bookstore! Don't skip it. Shop local!

Love the store. Good selection of books downstairs, lots of autographed books, friendly and helpful staff. Each time I am in Chicago I stop by and always walk out having purchase a few books. read more

Just the bookstore I've been looking for! I visited for the first time today, and I had a great experience. Upon arriving to the store, the clerk welcomed me and explained the layout of the store and how I can tell which books are new vs. used (note: the books with a dot sticker on the back are new). She also requested that I sanitize my hands with hand sanitizer before browsing. I knew right away this was my new favorite bookstore because I want the books I will be purchasing to be as pristine and germ-free as possible. I was looking for a specific book (which they had in stock, yay!) I also browsed a bit and found another book on my TBR list that I bought on a whim. The books were organized well and in great condition. The prices were fair, as well. I've read some comments/reviews on here about how the store doesn't have places to sit down and read, and I am more than fine with that. I personally don't like it when people camp out in bookstores, read the books for free, put the books back (which are often no longer in new condition at that point) and then leave the store without paying for anything. They should go to a library to do that. That being said, I liked that there weren't a lot of places here for freeloaders to hang around putting their grubby hands on all the books. Overall, very good experience--will be back soon! read more

Was on a quick one day trip to Chicago and had to find a bookstore! I'm really glad I found this one. The employees were great, the selection is terrific, and if I hadn't been hopping right on a plane I probably would've bought more than two books! Lots of stuff I hadn't seen before, both used and new. And very fair prices on the used books! read more

Do you want to know how to give a librarian the heebie-jeebies? Have stacks and stacks of books piled on tables. It makes me want to just pitch in and start shelving, but instead I just moved to another section of the store. The selection here is great. And I love when spots sell both new and used together. The staff acknowledged my presence but were busy...maybe processing all those acquisitions. A really solid independent books store. I wish I had more time to browse...next time. read more

After-Words - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Loved the store! Went shopping for some books on a Required Reading list for a class at Northwestern and they had lots of the books I needed, lots of books I wanted, and several books I'd never seems before... I couldn't walk away from them! The staff is super helpful and I found the atmosphere to be very inviting. Would definitely go again for my next book haul. Be mindful, however, that there are far more new books than used... I payed cover price for all of my books and spent about $100. But I'd rather support this store than a Barnes and Noble or Amazon read more

A Bookstore with a terrific personality. Mostly used books with some new ones. Two floors. Large selection. Helpful staff that is happy to leave you alone to browse. Strengths are novels, cultural books and Chicago writers and topics. read more

Uncomfortable vibe. The selection of banned books at the front of the store interested me, but seeing copies of "Little Black Sambo" and an Edgar Rice Burroughs book on the table along with Maus, 1984, and Go Tell It On the Mountain made my draw drop... what are they thinking? Not as upsetting, but the Covid protocols were odd--my partner and I were asked to drench our hands in hand sanitizer when we entered but oddly not asked to wear a mask, which we would have been happy to do if they had them available. read more

nice selection, great atmosphere and good customer service. easily spent an hour wandering through and browsing. prices are what you expect for new books at a local store (cover price) - yes Amazon would be cheaper, but supporting a local business is priceless. read more

I hate to disparage a bookstore but this place provides terrible service. The snarky, aloof people who work here treat customers like idiots and behave as if they're doing us a favor by opening their doors to us. The guy behind the counter today was busy reading "Lovecraft Country" and scolded me for not wearing a face mask upon entering, despite the absence of a sign on the door. As others have written, this store's Covid protocols are overboard. All I wanted to do was browse the store but the clerk really soured my experience. I'll never shop here again. read more

It always puts a smile on my face when I come across a book store. I'm not talking about the large corporate bookstores you see at every shopping outlet, I'm talking about small antique stores. This little gem from the outside appears small and has a small selection on the ground floor. However when you embark on a reader's journey below you will find a basement full of stacked shelves. I was like a little boy rummaging through each aisles flipping through many books just for the smell of used, donated, books that have been passed down. Not wanting to overwhelm myself and go on a shopping frenzy, I decided to leave and come back another time. It was until I reached the counter to claim my bag that I saw the two clerks unpacking and tagging Neil Degrass Tyson's new book. I knew I just had to have it, and didn't think twice about reaching for my wallet. Next time I'll have stronger willpower... read more

After-Words - Aisles upon aisles underground - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice selection a bit out of the way. I appreciate independent book sellers. Definitely recommend for authenticity and selection but don't expect super friendly service. Staff wasn't rude but not happy to see me either. Still again worth visiting read more

The selection was amazing and they had some really great deals on used books! Everything was also very well organized. The man who checked us out was super nice and welcoming! read more

Maybe it's not fair as I was really looking for a used book store, but the price structure is confusing and you have to pick up the books to determine if they are new or not. Wide fiction selection. Art selection was very limited. Not a place I'll come back to as seems like there's a lot more they could do with the store. Felt a bit like a cramped library ... not much personality. read more

Comfortable and well stocked - found staff picks downstairs and found one of my very favorites - Night Circus - on the shelf. I think these are my people:-). Nice quiet music playing in the background, not crowded - an introverted book lovers dream of a place. read more

Came by on a Saturday at 10am and wasn't open, which bummed me out. Selection of used titles could be better. Still, nice big downstairs and very helpful employees. Independent bookstore read more

A really nice Downtown bookshop tucked away on a quiet street, but not far from the Miracle Mile or the river. They stock a mixture of new and used books. On the ground level there's children's and YA, signed editions, graphic novels, and some local interest stuff. Downstairs there's tons of fiction and several categories of non-fiction. Upstairs is nice and homey, downstairs is a little more rustic but they had air circulating. My only problem was that the lighting was a little uneven which made me want to move on from some areas faster than I might want to. I found there was a very good selection, and a good mix of literary and contemporary fiction. My friend and I browsed for over half an hour and each found a new book we wanted to buy. I noticed a few reviews complaining about the staff. One person greeted us on the way in and, after a few minutes, told us what we'd find downstairs. Checking out, the other employee really took their time serving us, to the point I wondered if I was on a hidden camera show or something. It was very odd. For a downtown independent bookstore, they're doing what they do quite well. read more

I am deeply perplexed how I have neglected to review this place, because although it's off my usual beaten path, it is one of my favorite bookstores simply to BE in. Unfortunately, I rarely have much luck buying books here, but I could spend a couple of hours just enjoying the space, especially in the basement. I love the peace and quiet, the padded rocking chair in the aisle and the couch in the corner, and of course the 360 degrees of books. It's an oasis of erudite insularity amidst what I often consider the distastefully superficial hustle and bustle of downtown. As I mentioned, I often find nothing that grabs me, although the store is sizable and the selection varied. (To be fair, I always see books that I could buy, just not usually those magic "finds" or "books that I didn't even know that I HAD to own until I saw them".) This is a good place to come when you are looking for a specific title, as everything is neat and reliably organized, and they don't sell anything decrepit. However, prices are quite reasonable among the used inventory, so you're getting the best of both worlds. If you're shopping used, you will obviously spend most of your time downstairs, but don't miss the handful of cases on the main floor near the front--books which have been recently acquired but not yet priced or shelved. There is bound to be a gem in there that someone has not yet snapped up. I think that I will put After-Words in my top three, along with Selected Works and Powell's. It's just such a pleasure to spend time there that it is worth the trip downtown, and maybe if I keep going back the books will start jumping into my arms more regularly. read more