Have I seriously not reviewed The Book Stall yet? My bad. The Book Stall is the preeminent book…read morestore on the North Shore; it's been in business since 1940 and has won best national independent book store before.
The Book Stall has everything and something for everyone. If they don't have it they'll order it and call you when it comes in. They carry all the books district 36 and New Trier English students are reading in a special section, they have staff favorites, book club selections, and a great stock of fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography, history, sports, young adult, kids, psychology, parenting, travel, cooking, etc.
They carry stationery, cards, journals, small gifts like scarves, pens, novelty socks, bookmarks, and toys, they run a weekly book club, they host dozens of authors and book discussions every year, they gift wrap, and they know what they're talking about when it comes to books. They host a publishers rep night that shouldn't be missed and they work with local schools to raise money.
Simply put, all bookstores should be just like this one. It's a hub in our community and I'd much rather shop here than at the big chain stores.