super cool store…read more three separate stories and an underground level of used and new books, all well kept and organized among a flurry of rows. everything you could want out of a local bookstore and then some.

This is a cute bookstore, which gets so busy and lined up even before they open at 12…read more That was pretty interesting to me, but they had a good variety of books and good categories. A lot of used and new books and I had a good perusing through. I didn't end up buying anything since I had other things happening but a good place. Must try!

Awesome used bookstore in West loop! It's tucked under the green/pink line near the Clinton stop…read more The selection of books is insane and it's well priced! They have a bit of everything from cookbooks to political history, you can find just what you're looking for here. They even have a selection of a new books. The staff is always helpful! I'd definitely recommend!!

Absolutely adore this used book store! I can always find something new to read and the employees…read moreare consistently helpful with making recommendations or pointing me in the right direction. One of my favorite book stores in chicago

Ravenswood Used Books is such a cozy bookstore that you can spend the entire day in if you're not…read morecareful! There are so many books in such a small space it can really be overwhelming to start looking in all the sections. It's easy to access on Montrose and there are several great food places near that you can go to before/after your book hunt. The prices for the books I looked at were more than fair and the books were in good shape. There are even a few spots around that you can sit and read if you so choose! This place is also dog friendly, although with how tight the space is I'm not sure any dog above 20 pounds would do well. It's not a place that folks who have physical limitations or need physical assistance may enjoy, there are piles of books on the floor and the aisles are really narrow. One small thing that could bother some, is that the prices for the books were written in the cover pages. Not a huge deal but sometimes the prices were a bit fainter to read since they were written in pencil. I also get that it's a way to save money and keep the store running when you don't have to worry about labels, etc. Overall, I've found a place to frequent when I want to add more to my "to be read" list.

I love the labyrinthine space with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Fairly organized with a reading…read morenook at the back.

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!

Came on a recent day-trip to Pilsen from my far-north enclave, and this is one great bookstore! I…read moremean, I've never been to a bookstore I didn't like, but this one was phenomenal. They have a great selection, including some books that I'd been looking for and hadn't found at other shops around town. If you stop in, which you should, definitely take the time and be leisurely about browsing the shelves. You'll find something, I promise. Many of the books are priced less than retail (both books I picked up were), so there's good bang for your buck. I almost passed out from sheer joy when I found the NYRB Classics section. I will be back just to take a closer look at that!

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! 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!

I was very sad when the Logan Square location closed - I spent a lot of money there and brought…read morevisitors who loved it. Finally had time to visit this location, which I was told was massive. Well - the building is massive - the little section that you can actually browse is tiny - and I mean like TINY. No rare books, genre sections barely a shelf long. I was in and out in 15 mins and even that was me trying. This was about 2 weeks ago. There was a giant section on the west side of the building with stacks of books that was roped off. Is this the inventory? Why can't I see those books too? Did I come during an event prep or is this literally how it is? If I didn't know this was the same organization, I never would have guessed it. I support their mission but what happened? Why is this location so bad? Hoping the Lake St location has some of that LS location magic because I'm so so so disappointed.

The vast collection of books available for review and selection is amazing, and so well organized…read more The collection covers all ages and interests!

The first time I bought a book by myself, saved up my allowance, walked here, and got a paperback…read moreby Phillip K. Dick. It was 1972. Love this bookstore. Great selection, it's in the vicinity of the University of Chicago so you're likely to find well read books from the personal libraries of people who use words like "hermeneutical," and "epistimelogical," and yet they also have a good selection of mysteries and science fiction. Good choices in poetry, history, science, literature, and collectibles. Read books and learn stuff.

If you're looking to get lost in a bookstore, this is the place for you. This used bookstore is…read moreextremely whimsical and inspiring. My best friend who recently moved to the area, told me this is the best place to get dreamy. There are a variety of books to pick from spanning across all genres. There is a method to the madness. I only checked the price of one book I was eyeing and it was a classic for about $9. I'm sure the prices vary here. We were left to explore which I enjoyed, but we were warmly welcomed and said goodbye to upon our entrance and exit. I especially loved this one photographer's coffee table book. I recommend checking this bookstore out.