What a cute little bookstore. I was too uncool to listen to Liz Phair but the store's name is an…read morehomage to the raised-in-Chicago artist's album Exile in Guyville. Anyway, I brought my toddler to a show at the Studedekbaer downstairs and we thought we'd explore a bit of the building. Heading up to the bookstore in the building was of course part of that plan. It's tiny but mighty and they have a surprisingly large selection. They also had a really interesting coffee table book called The Fine Arts Building that I had to talk myself out of buying. Instead, we bought a copy of Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile, which they had in stock because the show was playing downstairs. I'll keep an eye on their events and since I now know it's here, may pop in when I'm downtown in my office. No parking since it's downtown--unless you want to pay for parking--but it's just near the CTA and south side Metra lines.

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.

First off I was "greeted" by one of the most miserable people I've ever encountered, and absolutely…read morethe worst at a bookstore. I think she would have been much happier if no one came. We were asked to disinfect our hands right away. That was a first, but it was the way she ordered us to do it that made it strange. They say it's new and used, but 90% of the stock seemed to be new. The first used book I saw,,, was one written by Bill Cosby. I love bookstores and they have a nice space but selection and service was awful.

This place is massive!…read more Very well organized, clean and obviously everything you could look for at your usual Barnes. In a busy section of Chicago it's easy to get too and around a lot of other shopping. Come stop by!

I had such a wonderful experience at the Barnes & Noble at DePaul University, thanks to Lilly! I…read morehad spent several minutes trying to find The Silent Patient after accidentally leaving my copy on my last flight. I was desperate to finish it, especially because I hate cliffhangers! Lilly immediately knew where it was supposed to be, and when it wasn't there, she knew exactly where else to look. Sure enough, she found it! She was incredibly kind, helpful, and genuinely knowledgeable about the store. You can tell she knows her job and truly cares about helping customers. Lilly went above and beyond, and I really appreciated her patience and kindness. Barnes & Noble is lucky to have her!

Well organized. Clean. Helpful without being overbearing. Employees give enough space and are still…read morefriendly and welcoming. Truly a reader's bookshop. The mix of new and used books means READING IS FOR EVERYONE!

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!!

Comparing Myopic Books with Barnes & Noble is like comparing a Panera (if we ignore their…read moredisastrous quality recently) with a slightly rough-around-the-edges dive that makes great food and has some character! Myopic books is stuffed to the brim with gently loved books found across three floors. Sometimes, the flooring can be a little uneven, or even a piece of lumber as if from a hardware store, but it is all part of the charm. It's such a pleasure to explore the nooks and crannies of the place and see what kind of books they have. Whether for yourself, as a gift, or just to see what is out there, it makes for a fun experience! The staff is friendly, helpful, and happy to help you find what you're looking for! The space is also inviting for those who'd like to relax with a book for a bit, rather than get, buy, and leave... and they do this without having a coffee shop on-premise. Final verdict: I am working on being more of a reader. If a bookstore is to help me do so, Myopic Books may just be the one. It finds itself on many of those "Explore IL" Facebook posts, and for good reason!

Over the years, this place has truly been a sanctuary for me. Whether I was just killing time while…read moremy girl was out shopping, spending a lazy Sunday afternoon browsing through the aisles, or picking up great second-hand books of interest, it has always been my go-to spot. A timeless gem for any book lover looking to unwind!

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.

I was walking around the neighborhood this past weekend and wanted to chill out in a bookstore and…read moreMadison Street Books came up on my Yelp search. It was a great find since I met the very personable owner, Mary, who welcomed me as soon as I walked in. Many of the books on the shelves have little cards with handwritten descriptions that help the customer decide if they would be interested in that particular work. There is a nice little seating area where you can read. At the front of the store near the register are books that are recommended by the staff and I ended up buying a short story collection. I highly recommend Madison Street Books for your next literary purchase!

Madison Street Books is a bright and airy West Loop bookshop. They had a wide variety of books, so…read moreyou can find something for everyone from kids to grown ups. They even had a small selection of bookish gifts and stickers that I enjoyed browsing. I picked up a book and a few stickers that spoke to me. Pricing was comparable to Amazon, but I loved that I got to support a small business instead. I'd come back here again.

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!

Amazing selection, amazing staff, and they do more for and with the community than damn near…read moreanyplace else. Love you guys, big faaaaan!