Great bookstore, they have a mix of both used and new books! I didn't end up purchasing anything, but the staff were friendly, and it is worth a visit! 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

I wish we had bookstores like this in Los Angeles. The only city where I have seen independent bookstores of this size is New York- specifically Brooklyn. I visited After Words several years ago while on a business trip. If I had time I could have spent the whole day here. I still have their business card on m dresser. read more

I'm so tired and hassle lately since I have a lot of work. I came here to erase my stress by reading some books. It is also peaceful here and no one will disturb me. This place was good for those people who love reading. They have a lot of different varieties of books. There are a lot of choices you can make. You can also smell the fragrance of books and it smells like old books. If you love reading you will smell it so good. After I choose what I want to read I just sit at their table. I spend my whole day here and my stress fades. I got relaxed and I feel so good today. I will be back here again. I highly recommend this place. read more

Great selection and the perfect bookstore vibe. Found books I don't see in other shops, and also love the amount of used books they offer.

Such a cozy place, I was at a Starbucks looking for some peace and remembered that my sister took me to this bookstore once and I was now, very close to it. It's very quiet and chill and a hidden gem. read more

After-Words - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a lovely discovery. The staff is great, space is inspiring, Hey readers. Stop by. :). read more

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Needed to kill time, and this was nearby. Obviously if you're looking for something in particular, Amazon will be infinitely more convenient - search bar, reviews, selection, everything. But there's something exciting about browsing through a bookstore and seeing something you never know you wanted. I walked out with a cookbook! They have a good selection for browsing, both used and unused books. I like the "retirement discount" they had for books that came into their store over a year ago, if it's a permanent thing. And for the most part it's pretty well organized - clearly labeled sections, the books aren't out of order or in the wrong places, etc. But I asked to find a book on a particular subject, and they didn't have a single book except for things dated 2003 in their system that they never erased. There's also a huge section of old books they haven't priced or cataloged that you can browse... Looks like they're still a little old fashioned in how they do things. Even if it is an old fashioned cute little brick & mortar bookstore, it would help if they introduce some efficiency into their operations. If I think back more carefully, I did enjoy browsing the store. But what soured my overall memory of the place was that the service was not particular friendly. One woman in particular was quite accusatory in her tone that made me feel like I was not welcome there, and when I said thank you, she always replied with a flat and annoyed "uh huh." Sorry I'm supporting your business? Maybe I won't come back next time then. read more

This might be the only bookstore left near downtown. It is a calm sanctuary from the noisy bro culture area. Knowledgeable and (somewhat) friendly staff. read more

Fine selection but they could really back off the hyper-Covid vigilance at this point. It's not very welcoming to be hectored about hand-sanitizing and mask-wearing two years after the fact. I don't mind following the rules but the sign on the door really suffices. read more

Great independent book store with tons of genres and notebooks. I love the venue and the staff is super friendly. I woul dhave passed it if not walking or if I had prior knowledge. read more

After-Words is a nice little bookstore right off Michigan Avenue. I found the shop from Yelp, and my friends and I decided to check it out. The bookstore is nice, with most of their book selection being found underground. When you walk downstairs, you will find a wide selection of new and used books in all different genres. Prices are reasonable, and even some of the books are discounted based on how long they have been in the store. If you are looking for something to do off of the Magnificent Mile, this would be a good place to check out! read more

This is an interesting place. My first thought is to say it's "A-OK" but I keep returning to buy items. Part of the attraction is the "used" aspect and the "find it if you can" thrill. The prices are great to begin with but their prices decreases as the book sits on the shelf. A pricing style based on moving books out the door; it's like a lottery for books. The staff is not overly helpful, but they seem interested in helping. It's just the nature of the store. They do have a wonderful policy about birthdays. Sign up and they will send you a birthday card with a discount for your next purchase. read more

I sadly wasn't that impressed with After Words. I love cozy, individually-owned bookstores, but this one just didn't do it from me. The upstairs had some solid titles but the downstairs was large yet unimpressive. I didn't find a couple of popular books I was looking for, and there was nothing that caught my eye. They sell both new and used books, so if there is something specific you're looking for, they may have it for well below retail price. The used books are in great condition. I didn't see any with spinal folds or any tears. The ambiance was a little lacking. I would have appreciated a little nook to read in or at least better lighting. read more

Everytime I go downtown I have to visit this place . The stock amazing and the staff is wonderful. Don in particular is my favorite. He is very knowledgeable and very attentive! Amazing store! Five stars :) read more

Rude customer service. Asked to look into my girlfriends backpack 2 minutes into our visit. Won't be coming back here again.

Did not have a good impression. I called to inquire about selling books for cash (offered on her website) and the person went on to tell me about how I could get store credit for them. I said that I was interested in a cash sale, and she said that cash is only for rare books (for example, over 100 years old). That didn't upset me, what upset me was that it's not written on the website (if it was, I wouldn't have called, as none of my books are rare). She said it was and went over the website with me, she said that for cash, you have to call to inquire and that is where you have a conversation to see if it could be a cash sale. If that is the way it is, that's fine, but here is what is says on the website, I quote "cash book buying is by appointment only" and "10% of cover price is given in the form of cash or 15%-20% in the form of store credit which never expires." Nowhere does it say that cash is only for rare books. She said it would take pages for her to say what exactly qualifies for a cash sale. Just saying that only rare books qualify for a cash sale is enough. I found it to be very misleading. read more

Beverly was incredible! Such a cute store with the kindest lady. Definitely recommend!

Coolest little bookstore, such a chill place. Walking downstairs was like walking into a book narnia. So many great options!

I stumbled across After-Words on my way to Navy Pier one day and was very pleasantly surprised to find out that they also do wedding invitations. I looked through all of the books and received great customer service from the owner, Beverly. After about an hour in the store, my fiance found thank you cards that he loved. I looked through the rest of the books, searching for invites that I loved just as much. There were a few that I really liked, but nothing that was perfect. Beverly wrote up three different quotes for us, all including the thank yous that he loved and the invites that I was considering. I confirmed with her that even if we didn't go with the invites, we could still order the thank yous for the discounted price that she quoted us and she said yes. Well, as you can probably assume, we found invites at another store that I love and ended up buying those instead. I was truly sorry that I couldn't order from Beverly after all of her help and wrote her an email saying so. I also called her to personally apoligize for not ordering the invites but still wanting to order the thank yous. And let me just say that when I called her, I was planning on writing a rave review on Yelp.... Then, I received the worst customer service since moving to Chicago 2 years ago. She told me that she didn't need us to "throw her a bone" and she wouldn't let us order the thank yous. After about a minute of her talking down to me, with my face red from the embarressment / shock, I thanked her anyway and hung up. I cannot believe that in this day and age, with the economy what it is, that she would deny our sale. We had been considering her for the other wedding stationary items but I am so disgraced after her outburst that I will probably never go in her store again. And I'd reccomend you stay away too, unless you enjoy owners with attitudes! read more

After-Words, I am at a loss for words. This bookstore is just fantastic and has become a frequent stop whenever I'm in the River North area. The location is unbeatable as it is sandwiched between the shops on the Mag Mile, the restaurants of the Near North Side, and the bustle of the Loop - making this bookstore an oasis for book lovers or anyone looking for a temporary escape from the both the city's extreme weather patterns and the shop's wallet-busting surroundings. With the plethora of foodie spots and countless shops, the downtown atmosphere becomes dangerous after a while. So, when I'm feelin broke and need to resist the urge to eat and shop, I drop on in to the paradise that is After-Words Bookstore, where I explore the many aisles and lounge in the basement area to pour over a good book, or, if I'm feeling too lazy - I'll flip through some cookbooks, scanning the pages for all the pictures of food :) The shop has any and every genre you could think of and the books are reasonably priced. I'd definitely head down to their lower level, where tons of the books are even more so on sale. And I also love how great their hours are, as they are open until 10 or 11pm almost every night! This is truly an amazing place and somewhere I plan on going to for years to come when looking for a good book or a space to chill. Check it out. read more

During that precious hour of the day, often referred to as lunch hour, I try to fit as many errands in as possible. Sometimes those errands turn into mini shopping sprees, this is where After-Words steps in. After-Words is a hidden treasure trove full of glorious books. New books, old books, any kind of books you may want to read to satisfy that literary need. I have come in here and ended up spending my entire hour browsing the used book section. A wee pricey for used books, but in a pinch, when I only have that one hour to browse and desperately need something for my commute, I am willing to shell out a couple of extra dollars. Their new section is just as great, in fact I have purchased several gifts from their new section as I always seem to find something that a special someone needs. If you are in need of a new or used book in the River North area, and sick of the big box stores, After-Words is your place! read more

I had a few minutes to kill before a meeting a few blocks away and thought I'd browse. I love the way the arrangement of wooden shelving felt like an elementary school library. Conversely, I hate the way the lone clerk copped an attitude with me when I asked if they had a gaming section. As the only potential customer, not just in the store but on the entire block, at noon on a weekday you'd think he'd be a little less condescending. But what do I know right? I'm just a guy who reads and tries to support the brick and mortar in industries I like rather than order online and have the exact items delivered to me at lower cost. I like used book stores and I still like this used (and new) book store. It's well organized and spacious. I just don't need a pasty douche pursing his translucent lips when I don't ask for the hipster approved surrealist literature or vegetarian cookbook section. Remember small retail business owners, Amazon allows me to find what I need more easily and cheaply. I don't need conversation super cool dude, just answer my questions and kill the funky nonverbals. 4 stars for the store. 2 stars for the only person in the entire place while I shopped. I feel generous giving an average. read more

Books books everywhere. Books for you and me. New books, Used books. Check it soon and you will see... I'm happy to see an independent book store alive and well in this area. It isn't giant like old B&N, but there is a very nice selection of new books on the ground floor and used books in the basement. Both sections are well laid-out and clean, and I was glad to see a nice-sized display of Chicago-based literature/Chicago authors. I ended up purchasing a second-hand trilogy of stories and was surprised they took off 10%, I must of missed the sign somewhere. But even without the discount, the price was pretty reasonable. The lower level has some reading chairs and a table if you want to hang out and read. They also have a nice but small selection of greeting cards and postcards. Friendly service. Great place to browse. read more

3 stars for being a bookstore. It's brutal these days, and I give them props. The selection just didn't do it for me. The top floor is all new books, but there wasn't enough variety in the fiction section, and everything is on the pricey end. If you have different tastes from mine, perhaps you'll love the selection. The bottom level is used books. The selection was kind of like my local library's used book sale - books that are gladly discarded by their previous owners (though in great shape). I went shelf by shelf and couldn't imagine who's reading these books. Or who's writing them. The prices are on the high end for used books. The browsing's better at the record store next door. read more

A nice little indie bookstore is a rare thing downtown when seemingly everything is a behemoth chain. The upstairs part is spacious and easy to browse, while the downstairs is more cramped and crammed with used books, as it should be. Stop by for a new book and dig around downstairs for some older titles. Be sure to sign up for their birthday program, where you get a $5 coupon on the month of your birthday. read more

After-Words - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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After the piper is paid, the loans are doled out, the bets are placed, drinks are drunk, and the eats are eaten...I have little reserved for my book fund. However, thanks to After-words and other great priced used booksellers, my thirst for knowledge does not have to suffer. After-words offers a good selection, but it's a bit hit or miss. However if you keep looking, you're bound to find something good for a great price. As they say...reading is FUNdemental....and it sure is a hell of a lot more fun when it's affordably priced. read more

This is NOT what a used bookstore should feel like. It's too...clean. Not to mention expensive. And the staff didn't even say hello when we entered. Incredibly unwelcoming atmosphere--they have signs posted all over that tell patrons not to re-shelve books, because they don't like things to be messy. I mean come on, I'm perfectly capable of putting a book back where I found it. Not to mention, used bookstores should be messy anyway. read more

Open late? Check. Helpful staff? Check. Convenient location? Check Comfortable places to sit and read? Check. Good selection of new and used books? Check. Great if you like browsing for books. They're not a Barnes and Noble so they might not have the specific title you wanted in stock. I like that they're open until 10pm most days. read more

It actually pains me to write this review and give After-Words only two stars. I used to love this place and wander around it perusing the titles of the thousands of books, a peaceful and independently owned bookstore in the heart of all things focused on tourists. The last couple of times I've gone in however, have been unpleasant. I haven't found any books I've wanted to buy and have even been turned off from walking up and down the aisles in hopes of a new book. Recently I went in during my lunch hour to find a book I've seen at every Borders in the country, but I specifically went in here to support the local business. I was greeted by a woman that I'm pretty sure was on downers, she could barely mumble "hello" and when I asked about the book she dragged herself to a computer to tell me they don't have it in stock and that I should check the "Health and Fitness" section. Well, first I expected her to offer to order it for me and second, it's a sociology book about the food industry and obesity in america...not about a low-carb diet. After her less than helpful assistance, I decided to browse anyways and then was startled when another sales associate jumped into the room and started singing very loudly to EVERY WORD that was playing on the radio...for the next 15 minutes. Anytime someone walked by he nearly scared them by loudly asking "Hey! Did you see this book?!?" I was happy walking out the door and sad that one of my favorite bookstores has a less than wonderful staff and book selection. read more

Excellent bookshop in the downtown Chicago area. They have the best hours of any other bookshop that I'm aware of (10am - 11pm on the Friday I dropped by). The owners were kind and helpful. Their selection is wide. Walk downstairs and on the basement level is a great mix of used (1st edition through paperbacks) copies and new ones. Will visit again! read more

A pretty good, clean, well-organized selection of new and used books, including local authors and local interests sections. Also a larger than normal section of signed copies. Very few of any places to sit down and peruse books. I was not welcomed on entry or acknowledged on departure. The used books are mixed in with the news ones, and the used books were about 50% too high in my opinion. I didn't end up buying anything and would only go back if I needed a local or signed book for some reason. It is near a Thai restaurant called Star of Siam, so if you're craving Thai and a new or used but overpriced book, this may be the perfect place for you. read more

I like this place. I've been looking for good used bookstores in my area, which is hard to come by because I live in the Gold Coast area, but I'm glad I found this place. The top floor is all new stuff, and then the bottom floor are all used books. I like that section. I think I spent an hour in it the other day. I went away with like 5 books for under $30. It was great! They've got this cool thing for your birthday month, they'll send you a coupon for $5.00 off. I would have given them 5 stars, but their new books seemed a little more expensive than they should have been...I guess it could be because they are an independent store and though I got books for really cheap, some of their prices were higher than what I thought was necessary. read more

This has to be one of the best bookstores I've ever seen. Similar to Half Price bookstores in Texas, this place appeared to hit all categories, subjects with an awesome offering of books not rarely seen (at least by me --- and I love going through all bookstores casing out a variety of topics). If your looking for a particular book, maybe-maybe not they'll have it. What I guarantee you will find is a host of related books, ones you've seen, others not... to complement your investigative inquiring mind. Take a look read more

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Maybe the most underrated downtown store and a refreshing break from the big box nonsense on michigan. Really passionate, informed leadership, they have interesting and diverse stock, new and old with a deep chicago and regional focus. Highly recommended. read more

There are plenty of better used bookstores in Chicago, but After Words is notable for its location, which is great for lunch hour browsing. Upstairs you'll find new books; downstairs are the used ones. They have fairly large specialty sections in art, photography, and law, but the literature section upstairs is pitiful, and it ain't much better downstairs. A lot of popular fiction, though. Prices for the new books are generally what you would pay at a chain store, but the used books are expensive; a book that might cost you $5 at a Myopic or The Gallery will probably cost at least $8 here. If you need something to read at lunch hour or are just wasting time by browsing, though, it's a decent enough place. read more

I used to love this place - it had a great old bookstore vibe, tons of good used books. Stopped in there recently for the first time in a while, and it has changed for the worse. The selection consists mainly of new books now, not old, the place seems empty, and the entire first floor now seems dedicated to books for teens. I may have been there for the last time. read more

Thank goodness I finally found a used bookstore within walking distance of the condo. I liked After-Words; it was spacious with a nice atmosphere, although it's more "airy" than "cozy." They have a LOT of books, but like another reviewer noted, the variety is not as wide as you might imagine it would be. For instance, I couldn't find a copy of 1984. Still, there are two whole levels to browse through, and they sell new and used books, which is nice. AND, they have a mailing list, and will send you a $5 coupon during your birthday month! Rock on! read more

Spectacular independent bookstore! I love everything about this place- great location (a few blocks from one of my jobs)- great neighbors (Jazz Record Mart and Star of Siam)- Locally owned- Extensive selection of both new and used books- relaxed environment... What more could I ask for? read more

I love the smell of old books. You know, that musty scent that actually feels like you're inhaling a dusty residue that coats the inside of your nostrils. Perhaps maybe not so overwhelming... No matter, that is exactly how I'd describe After-Words--at least the basement. A few friends and I stumbled upon this place while exploring Chicago on a Sunday afternoon. I hate the fact that I've lived in the city nearly five years now, but rarely take the opportunity to get out and explore! My frustration is expounded when I find little treasures like this place. We spent probably two hours browsing the various new and used books. What's great about a place like this, as opposed to a Barnes and Noble or Borders is the type of books they will feature. B&N isn't likely to put a collection of erotic pulp art done by the guy who created Superman in its front window. For the folks at After-Words, it's probably an afterthought! The one item of service that I thought was particularly interesting, but didn't spend too much time browsing, was a section where folks can select invitation (wedding, party, birthday, etc.) stationery. Some of the stock was quite high quality! Rather than stew about not finding After-Words sooner, I'll simply use it as impetus to continue exploring my amazing city whenever possible. read more