This bookstore is the creation of my wife, Nina B., and the store's devoted and talented…read morestaff--just to make clear my conflict of interest at the outset of this review! I have watched over the years (since 2014) as Bookends & Beginnings has morphed from a dream into beautiful reality, but it is still the product of Nina's mind and her dreams. The new location next to Fountain Square was cut from whole cloth. It began as a large empty piece of real estate all painted in white--a blank canvas!--and was transformed into what it is today: a carefully planned and executed space on two levels painted in dark teal, gold, and white, with a hand-picked selection of over 10,000 books arrayed attractively and intelligently. (Not to mention a reak carousel horse and a giant paper-maché giraffe.) The striking floor-to-ceiling mural, the work of her two graphic-artists sons, presides over the store and is visible day and night. You really should check out Bookends & Beginnings, if you don't know it already!

It was a nice surprise that the bookstore was still open after our post-dinner treat. It's always…read morefun to browse, and the store is very attractively laid out, with book covers gleaming and beckoning like inviting gems. I found a new book from my to-read list, coveted a cute display of Studio Ghibli merch, smiled at the witty cards, and soon my companions and I amassed a stockpile of items to purchase and so they gave us a nice tote. Maybe next time we'll skip dessert and head straight here (must check hours to see when the bar is open).

Awesome place to get great reads - for travel, anytime reading, and up-cycled gifts. Love to bring…read morethe kids and have them make a cash transaction with the helpful volunteers. A hidden gem in downtown Wilmette!

I love this place. Anytime I'm in the Chicago area, I have to go here, I find so many treasures. I…read moreeven had to get an extra suitcase on my flight back to Houston just to take back all the amazing finds. Books are so amazingly priced, that if you love books, you must visit. Cash is preferred, but you can pay by card upstairs at the front desk.

I've been to Amaranth a few times now, and each time I have been pleasantly surprised. I always see…read morean old book and a new book I want within ten minutes of walking in the door, but to avoid blowing all my money on books and forcing myself onto a diet of instant ramen and kool-aid, that's my limit per trip--one old book, and one new book. By "old," I mean one of many, many genuinely old books Amaranth has, in good conditions and for scandalous prices. I purchased a book of poetry published in 1920 for...drumroll...ten dollars. Not a torn page, not a dent in the cover, not a food spill to be found. I wouldn't call it mint condition, but it was in really great shape. On another visit, I found a book that was a little older, even, about the lyrebird. It just so happens that books about the lyrebird are not easy to come by, and I happen to love them. This book had photographs (black and white, but still), only one loose page, an embossed cover with no damage or flaking in the design, at a low, low price of $8. Regarding new books, I picked up a Sherman Alexie novel for $8 and a mid-90's edition of Anais Nin's "Little Birds" for $4. Again, there are no tears or stains in these books. I have my eye on a Diane Arbus biography that was published a couple of years ago for my next visit, and maybe an old-style illuminated prayer book that looks very pre-Renaissance but is actually from the early '70's and comes in its own slide-out box. You can't beat Amaranth for variety. They have books in several languages, a healthy little section of local history, books on travel, psychology, film, history, biography, and all manner of things, and mixed in with the old books are sometimes really unusual finds (like my book on the lyrebird). I was recently in with somebody who excitedly pulled something off a shelf, held it aloft, and exclaimed, "Ooh, Star Wars!" On another visit, I was all alone in the shop until a mother came in and found her favorite childhood book so that her little girl could enjoy it too. They might not have as many literary journals or last month's best-sellers like Myopic, but here's something that makes up that difference for me: as far as I can tell, if a book is damaged, it goes on the $1 shelf. I don't mean damaged as in, the binding is coming undone and ten pages are missing, because Amaranth doesn't sell books like that. I mean damaged as in, this is a somewhat new book that already looks a little old because of a scuffed cover or something like that. Other book stores will sell multiple copies of the same book, in varying conditions, at the same price. You won't be charged $18 for something that's in bad shape here. Instead, anything that's not in pretty good shape costs one measly dollar. Nice! Of course, this policy means the owner has to be a little discriminating. He can't pay you top dollar for everything you bring in; the store would close if it became one big dollar shelf. Some people can't understand that and get irritated because they want to fund production of a motion picture from the sale of some old Steven King novels or something nutty like that. Don't worry about those people. If you're a customer and actually need help finding something, the owner is wonderful. For example, I asked him if he knew what Sherman Alexie books were in the store, because Alexie writes novels, short stories, drama, poetry, autobiography, and probably something else besides that I haven't discovered yet. If the man also wrote travelogues and horticultural guides, I wouldn't be surprised to find out about it. Anyhow, rather than letting me comb the whole store, the owner said, "I know for a fact we have one of his novels, right...HERE." He pulled it off the shelf for me and the way I was smiling, you could probably see every tooth in my mouth. In addition to being helpful, the owner has also been nothing but friendly to me. I'd like to see a few more newer books, as in, from the past five years, but I'm happy going to Myopic for those, for now. I know I can always come to Amaranth and find a wonderful antique book, possibly on an esoteric subject, in great shape for a great price. Since I can go to Border's and pay only $2-$5 more for a new book than Myopic charges, the premium is really on good old books for me. I'm not trying to put Myopic down; I only want to distinguish between the various qualities and features of the different options available to book buyers. Also, if there's a heaven and I go to it when I die, I hope it smells like Amaranth.

What listings and notices fail to mention is that Amaranth's selection of rare/used books is…read moreinexpensive, in some cases surprisingly so. Thumbing through some mid-19th century curiosity it comes as a shock to discover such a seeming rarity priced at under $5!

I always love going to this location, as it offers such a wide selection of novels, albums, and…read moretrinkets! However, I would like to note that it would be really nice if they expanded their collection of K-Pop albums! I find as though there isn't as big of a section as other stores I've been to or seen online, which is unfortunate. The workers are all so kind and provide smooth service and transactions but I would just really like to see an expansion in the K-Pop selection!

Booklovers haven. Always has sale items, enticing displays. Nice staff. Plenty of parking.read more

A big, bustling location with lots of stuff to look at! Quite busy on a Saturday. In addition to…read morebooks, music and DVDs, don't forget about the board games. My fiance had purchased a book online for pickup here so that was easy, but I also found a beautiful hardcover book about Colleen Moore's fairy castle dollhouse at the MSI for less than $15.

I was putting books in the little free libraries but I have so many, due to a death in the family,…read morethat I decided to try selling some. I brought 150 books to this location - 75 were NEW. They offered me $6.61. I was shocked but took it because I didn't want to drag them all home. I would NEVER sell here again. I guess they get everyone once. I should have read the selling reviews first. Live and learn. I will continue giving the rest of the books away for free.

great folks with a major wad-o-books!...fair prices for books going in or out...made for rainy,…read moresnowy afternoons...

This cozy and cluttered bookstore is a bibliophiles funhouse. With patience, and a desire to dig…read morethru book piles and inadequately labeled shelves, you'll find a treasure or two. Mind where you walk and sit, many books are haphazardly piled in aisles and against shelves so you will have to move items, lamps etc in sections of the shop. Something to note: if you are sensitive to dust or mold or respiratory challenged, you may want to limit your visit. Old books, too many piles to clean around and strong incense equals poor air quality.

Spent a lifetime in the world of vinyl and I can definitively say Squeezebox knows what they are…read moredoing. From variety to quality to customer service, they tick all the boxes above and beyond.

This place is a gem. I came in with some CD's to shed and they were so helpful. I wandered through…read morethe store for a few minutes as they went through my box. They have a lot of albums and CD's. It's well organized and the staff are everywhere but not intrusive or nosy. There if you want to ask a question. Not to try to get you to buy something. After a few minutes they paid me and I took the remaining CD's to Goodwill. They also buy used books. Super great to have in the neighborhood.

Love the selections and how they're grouped by age appropriate material, which makes it easy for me…read moreto quickly pick out the right items for my nieces and nephews. Also has books for adults as well. There are some cute cards and pins for sale too in case books are not all you need. Well worth a visit if you love books.

Whimsical bookstore with a curated collection. I happened upon this bookstore when I was on my way…read moreto the nearby coffee shop. They have many children's books for all ages and a brief adult section. It took me a while to choose from all the options but the associate was very helpful and offered suggestions. I love the selection they offer and am happy I stumbled upon this place

What a cozy bookstore in lincoln square! I decided to lurk here for a few hours while waiting to…read morego to the airport. They serve drinks but no food, due to losing their food distribution license during COVID. Jerry's is right across the street though and they allow outside food into the bookstore. There is a few nice tables in front of the cafe, and then a cozy nook with armchairs to read at. The bookstore itself is well stocked with all types of books. There isn't a huge diversity of books in my opinion, but a lot of YA fiction, more popular/recent books, and a good sized chunk for romance (heated rivalry, Ali Hazelwood books, etc.) There is a small comic books section, yoga/cookbooks section, puzzlebooks section, etc. The selection is a little more curated than you would find at a Barnes and nobles for instance, and I think it's skewed more toward fiction. John Green wrote Looking for Alaska in this bookstore! I really liked the little placards placed by many of the books, so you can really feel like you're getting personal recs from bookstore workers. The employees were chill and super kind. There are also two single stall bathrooms available. We chilled for many hours in the nook with no problems. I loved the books I found and ended up purchasing two, in addition to a few cute souvenirs. Lincoln square is also a great area to wander around!

Grabbed coffee and browsed books on a pleasant winter Sunday. Lots of options for all the…read moredifferent types of readers. Vibe was community -oriented and family friendly. Good coffee!! Purchased a few post cards here too. Loved the art!