Such a cool space! It has an incredible view of the park and Lake…read more It's not a big space but they use the space well. We stopped in today after going to the violin shop at the Fine Arts Building. It was really busy! Lots of people inside a little hard to maneuver around, but all good. I'm happy they were busy! Books were well organized and easy to find.

Small but mighty! This cute bookshop is tucked away on the 2nd floor of the Fine Arts building,…read morewhich is an excursion in and of itself because it has the last manually operated public elevator in Chicago. The bookshop also has a special view overlooking Grant Park to Lake Michigan. I've been to Exile for an event before (which they had in a separate space) and I recently stopped in again to browse their books. I can appreciate their collection is thoughtfully and uniquely curated, with prices on par with the average independent bookstore in Chicago. I also like the handwritten summaries and recommendations for standout books. They are not going to have everything because they're in a small space but I was able to find both a popular book that was on my wishlist and also a book I'd never heard of before that piqued my interest, so I purchased both. I also love that they're open every day of the week, which makes it easy to pop by!

Sandmeyer's Bookstore is a gem! Everyone who works there is so friendly and it makes for a great…read moreatmosphere. It feels really cozy inside and I could spend an hour or so perusing the book selection. They also have a nice variety of bookish gifts and cards. The best part is the sale corner in the back where you can find books of all kinds marked down to really reasonable prices. I'll always stop at Sandmeyer's when I'm in the area!

What a gorgeous location to have a bookstore! Sandmeyer's Bookstore sits in Printer's Row and is a…read morevery lit and airy environment. The selection is not too bad, considering they are recovering from a flood. There are so many titles and a vast array of topics available. I found some classics, fiction, a wonderful selection in their non-fiction area, and translated books. They also provide you with lists of books that have won prizes or coincide with different regions in the USA and the world! I thought that was very helpful. It's a medium-sized store, but their displays are quite prominent. Everything is easy to grab (no ladders or staff needed to get to the high books). All the areas are labeled and it's visually pleasing. The staff was nice, too. Checkout was easy and they were friendly. Prices are standard of paperbacks and hardcovers. You are paying for an indie bookseller (I paid about $40 for two books, which includes tax). I wasn't at all disappointed with the price. They also have a loyalty program for those that are regulars. I really am happy I checked out this spot. It was beautiful and friendly. There was a lot of books and totes to chose from, it was hard not to leave with more in my bag!

Loved The Dial Bookshop, On the 2nd floor of fine arts building, It is captivating. I found this…read morebookshop online while wanting to explore the city mainly for literature. Very clean and organized. Reasonable prices for used, old and new books. Great selection and genre of books. Floor to (almost) ceiling bookshelves, wood floors, plants, huge windows, it's just a beauty. Through out the store there is some history about how the shop came about. We copped around 6 books that were $7 to $10 bucks, WHAT A FIND. Definitely a best kept secret, it's worth your time

A super sure bookstore tucked away in the old Studebaker Building on the second floor…read more New and used books by all the authors that matter. In an era where boutique bookstores are all but gone this is a gem! Tip... they have a great selection of vintage Chicago postcards!

Such a cool space!!! They have a huge downstairs level full of books too. Wow!…read more 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.

I love support location stores, especially when buying books!! Most of the selection is downstairs…read moreand 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.

While in town i decided to check out my favorite store..absolutrly incredible aechitecture for a…read morebook store. Great to see a Starbucks located in here. Same great coffe drinks and food. Great selection of books. This place is worth the visit.

Definitely more of a campus store as it's a pretty barebones bookstore. Also FYI - NO WiFi. The…read morecafe is decently priced but all the food appears to be prepackaged. For example, the advertised $5 pizza is simply Di Giornos warmed up. The venti latte did come out to about $7 with tax which is a pretty good deal for the city but all in all I would recommend you spend your time and money elsewhere.

Awesome bookstore in West Loop! Lots of options and at great prices. There are even a few book…read morenooks all over the store to hangout and read.

I've been a regular supporter of this shop for a long time, and I've always appreciated their…read moremission. However, on my most recent visit I was *shocked* to see the same used cookbooks I bought a few months ago at $10/piece are now priced at $17.50! That's a 75% increase! I understand costs rise, but this seems extremely excessive. Used books that are 10-20 years old should not cost this much. I hope the store reconsiders its pricing so it remains accessible to the community that wants to support it. In the meantime, if you're looking to purchase used books at a more affordable price, I'd recommend going to betterworldbooks.com.

A wonderfully curated space offering an exceptional browsing experience for readers of all…read moreinterests. The selection is extensive, with both new and used titles thoughtfully organized, making it easy to discover longtime favorites as well as unexpected gems. Staff members are knowledgeable and courteous, always ready to provide helpful recommendations without being intrusive. The atmosphere is calm and inviting, encouraging visitors to explore at their own pace. It's the kind of bookstore that rewards curiosity and makes every visit feel worthwhile. An excellent destination for anyone who appreciates literature and the charm of a well-run independent sh

So many books, so few hours to shop. I got lost in my wandering a couple times. There is truly…read moresomething for everyone here- and you can pop in as you're walking to meet friends.

A bit tricky to find as it is not clear that it is located INSIDE the Macy's big giant shop,…read moreperhaps in the lower level? I can't remember now. But we were in Chicago last week on our way to a concert and decided to buy the performer some children's books for his kid and I yelped "bookstores near me" and this one popped up. So we jumped in a cab and got to Macy's then wandered around a bit until someone told us how to find this part of the store. It is not a stand-alone bookstore, but it does have most things you would need from a bookstore, plus a friendly and helpful staff person. She picked up the phone when we called to ask her where she was located and the shop hours. We were in and out in a flash with a bag full of children's books as well as a bunch of cool postcards, pins, and a few decals, too. Huge "Chicago" section, lots of nice gift and souvenir options. Thanks!

So incredibly hard to find. As of April 2025, it is located by the luggage section in the basement…read moreof the Macy's. Despite its very odd location, the store gives indie bookstore vibes. A careful selection and a large YA section.

Fantastic neighborhood book store with a great selection of new titles and all 'round great books…read more Friendly and knowledgeable staff are there to help. Curated offers, such as the Bespoke Book Boxes, as well as great staff picks and book clubs to suit any taste, including those who love chonkers, aka big books, make this place even more special.

EVERY time I stop in for a book the staff is very friendly and very helpful. Staff is knowledgeable…read moreand always eager to help you find what it is you're looking for. Whether that's a recommendation or locating and grabbing a specific title off the shelf for you. Love this place!!

Fabulous bookstore! Kind and helpful staff. Really well organized. Spacious. It can hold a lot of…read morepeople and not feel crowded. I love the high ceilings and open layout. Impressive selection, including indie publications. It's a really cool place! It's Chicago's only employee-owned and operated independent bookstore. They have really cool events and guest speakers, and have a community focused mission. I really appreciate what they do!

First and foremost, I love that Pilsen's is employee owned. It has a fantastic selection of books…read moreand I love the progressive curation of art and history books they have. What really made the experience for me was the focus on public health and safety. As an immunocompromised person who was disabled by the pandemic 6yrs ago, it was such a rare comfort to browse with the added security of community masking. I didn't have to rush, and worry about occupying small spaces. It was such an appreciated gesture.