Chicago Reader

This store is a hidden gem for avid book & magazine readers. It is sandwiched in the middle of the…read moreblock of the Six-Corners neighborhood , if you blink, you've missed it. So keep an eye out for it, as you drive. Today, was my first time at Six-Corners neighborhood in many, many years and I'm glad that I made the trip to it. This store is very well stocked with magazines and many types of magazines that you don't find at a Jewel-Osco magazine rack or check-out aisle. Being a film buff, I was glad to find "Cinema-Retro" magazine as well as several discounted hardcover books. Today, I spent $134 here on magazines & books and I had a good time doing it. I was able to browse without interruption until I found the items that I wanted to purchase. The check-out clerk was very helpful and polite, the place was very clean, very well lit and the magazine racks were very well organized. There's also a small coffee shop in the store. Great place - 5 stars!

I'm a big magazine nerd and this really satisfied my hunger for all things mags! The cherry on top…read morewas the cafe at the front and the chocolate I popped in my pocket because you get one with every purchase. The nice barista told me about their rewards program too, so I signed up! There was an event happening that prevented me from sitting down and enjoying my cup near the front, but I did leave with several mags. Prices and variety of mags was good and I hope they get more into indies beyond just European mags. Can't wait to take the bus over here again and again!

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City Newsstand

Gateway Newsstand

2.0(2 reviews)

0.3 mi•The Loop

The best thing about this place is that they seem to have one New York Times available every time I…read morego, and I am able to get it. Otherwise, this place sucks. The woman who works there could not be more rude- she ignores customers, never says please or thank you and tends to conduct the whole transaction while talking on the phone. I never buy anything but the newspaper there. I think she is the franchise owner and her attitude really, really sucks.

It's convenient because it's downstairs from my job, but their prices are ridiculous. I can…read moreunderstand since we're downtown taxes are much higher, but the prices for chips, and candy are ridiculous.

4.2 mi•Lakeview, Wrigleyville

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Addison News Stand

3.0(2 reviews)

Never go to this place to buy a CTA Pass. I went there one day to buy a CTA pass and the guy that…read moreowns it charged me for two seven day train passes. unfortunately i didn't find out until i got my bank statement that I was over charged. the worst part was is that i could not even go to get money back because the guy doesn't give receipts. worst place ever and if you use your card to buy a train pass it is an extra .75 cent charge. never go here

This place is on my way to work as I take the Addison Red Line. Clean Store. They have a great…read moreselection of juices, cofee, sodas and snacks all priced very resonable. They have the daily papers to read, and also a wide range of tobacco behind the counter. On game days they have great deals on peanuts, pistachio's and other foods to take to the game or home for that matter while watching the game. The guy working there is great. I've left my wallte a couple of time and he let me pay him the next day. Its always nice to walk into a place where your recognized and valued. Over all a great place, plus its at my favortie Red Line Stop!

In The Loop Magazine

5.0(1 review)

0.6 mi•The Loop

I was looking for Chicago music news. Trying to find a single source that talks just about…read moreChicago-centric things in the music. Came across this magazine a while back and still amazed they are not more known. They are pretty cool because they talk about not only my friends local band, but major acts that come through town too. They are crazy diverse. One article will be an interview with someone from Ministry and the next a review on Laura Marling. And I have yet to see a story on any flavor of the month bands. When I want to find out about music events happening around town, I don't have to wade through a ton of crap articles about food or gossip. They get to the point. What I really like about In The Loop Magazine is how they are apparently still independent and real. They are not filtered or censored -yet anyway. Love reading the original stories they do, although I wish they'd do more. Love the events calendar and how I can sync with it. The website is really clean, lots of stuff to read about, easy to navigate, cool videos and interviews I've never seen anywhere else again, including my friend local band. Not often you find somewhere that talks about the locals and the nationals. I love anything Chicago especially the Chicago music scene. These guys and gals get it. Nice job everyone! You've got me hooked! I'll stay in the loop with ya!

Barbara's Bestsellers

3.9(14 reviews)

0.9 mi•Near North Side, River East

It's a small shop on the corner of Northwestern Hospital's Galter Pavilion at Huron and North St…read moreClair street. Barbara's is a small but amazing bookstore! They have tons of classics, mysteries, new releases, etc. They also have a great selection of newspapers and magazines. Friendly staff. All books are brand new and I really like the versions of paperbacks and hardcovers they carry. Maybe a little expensive, but worth the quality! For example Kafka's The Trial with the cover illustration of the eyes. In a few minutes I hope you can find something too! What a great thing to have a really nice bookstore in a hospital lobby. Two escalators above the bookstore you will find a spacious food court with a Greek fast casual restaurant, Panera Bread, Burrito Beach, Subway, Cafe L'Appetito, Fare, Blackwood BBQ and tons of seating. You could spend an afternoon up here!

This is a really lovely bookstore that is such a welcome treat in the hospital. I used to come by…read moreregularly and thought the staff was very knowledgeable about new books and passionate about reading. Yes, the prices were retail and there wasn't much discount, but I was happy to pay given their science-related curated selection that seemed very well thought out. It may not be the biggest bookstore, but I think it's worth checking out if you're there!

Outside at the corner of Barbara's Bookstore.

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Bridgeport News

3.5(4 reviews)

4.0 mi•Bridgeport

They're slogan is... "The Man Who Advertises His Business...Has One" and that is exactly what they…read morehave pushed for about 70 years nows. The paper's several pages are fulled with articles regarding some of the great neighborhood functions and events. There is always great articles of everything from peoples birthdays to little league pictures. They have a significant classified section that helps out when trying to find a new apartment or even a yard sale. In times that most papers are hurting and slowing down, the bridgeport news has kept their pages full of articles, business advertisements and classifieds. It's nice to see they are now even on the internet.

I really miss the great neighborhood paper. On my last visit there, I found a pile of the BNs on…read moreour front porch. Apparently no one at the house cared much to go through the old copies. I had such a wonderful time flipping through all the announcements sections. I could not believe how many of my grade school mates were parents. It is sad that I do not have a similar publivation where I now live. My mom still has framed clippings from the BN of when I was in kindergarten! Submitting editorial pieces, advertsing, or announcements is so easy. You just stop by the office with the content that you want and a small fee. It almost felt like a school paper. Ahhhhh... nostalgia....

After-Words

4.1(167 reviews)

0.6 mi•Near North Side

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.

Interior of the bookstore

Banned Books

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Inside

Chicago Reader - mags - Updated September 2026

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Barbara's Bookstore

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Barbara's had a surprisingly wide variety of books available for how small the stand was! They have…read morea genre for everyone. They also have a selection of greeting cards and Chicago-themed merchandise available for purchase. The staff were kind and friendly.

This is a great bookstore. I enjoy browsing and have bought gifts and items for myself here. There…read moreis a unique selection of quality items, including journals. Also, the clerk was very kind and compassionate to me today. I recommend going here if you are at O'Hare, if this sort of business is of interest to you, and if you have time to spare.

D & Z House of Books

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I love this place. Very peaceful. Just love being there. I just bought 3 books for some Christmas…read morepresents for my family. P

They have a large selection of Polish books, magazines, as well as music. The atmosphere is really…read morenice. The staff is very friendly and helpful. And if you're here, you may as well go to the produce store almost right across the street. They have a cafe in the back.

Stephen Daiter Gallery

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I've been meaning to visit here for some time, and I was not disappointed. The owner was extremely…read moregenerous with his time and was highly knowledgeable both about the photographer being exhibited and photography in general, and shared fascinating anecdotes without ever coming across as condescending or pretentious (my knowledge of photography is still somewhat limited and he graciously explained terms and techniques I was unfamiliar with). The experience was rich and rewarding, and I left with two photobooks that I had been looking to acquire for a long time at an exceptional price. I would highly recommend that anyone visiting check this gallery out.

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Seminary Co-Op Bookstores

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This is simply the best bookstore for new books between the coasts. I can't think of one on the…read moreeast or west coasts right now that might be better. So it may very well be the best bookstore in the country.

Just an amazing variety of academic and professional books. Can't believe this place exists. Good…read morespace to find sone quality reading material not in typical, even independent bookstores. Layout library like with a few places to sit and peruse. Found some keepers for a normal price point.

Vale Craft Gallery

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This may be one of the most diverse galleries in the area. You may see metal sculpture, glass…read moreobjects, ceramics, fiber artworks, and bold jewelry.

I visited this gallery today and it has a nice selection of colorful & rather imaginative pieces…read more I didn't see anything I felt compelled to buy, but I enjoyed looking around. Also, the man working there (owner-?) was friendly.

Iqra Book Center

4.9

(15 reviews)

The absolute BEST IN ALL Islamic reading materials, teaching materials and helpful information…read more Mashallah the brother inside the store is kind and compassionate, helpful and generous. This is a must go for anyone seeking information on Islam. Alhamdulilah!

The store is great! They have a great collection of many items. Are they more expensive than the…read morerest of Devon? Yes! Also, if you can, avoid the guy named Wajid. He is terribly rude. Has no manners when it comes to customers and will call you a lier to your face if you come back for the same thing twice and ask for the same product. Other than that - it's a good store.

Weinberg/Newton Gallery

5.0

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Did a little bit of gallery hopping tonight. This is an incredible gallery, and the show I saw…read moretonight was seriously the best art I've seen in River North in about 10 years. Cool stuff. Photography, painting, mixed media stuff. GLASS BLOWING. It passed the "I could make that myself" test. No, I couldn't make that myself. Wonderfully curated, and the artists were all real talent. And I met them too, and they were also charming and adorable. Stellar. Just really solid work. Actual creative art, not the usual pretentious crap that the River North galleries are usually pushing.This place is the real deal. Talent. Honest TALENT.

David Weinberg Gallery is one of my favorite galleries I've been to in the city. I love the…read moreelegant ambiance. The gallery itself is well spaced and has great lighting. It is laid out very well What I like the most about it is that all of the artists' work featured involves social consciousness. Art with a heart!

Monique Meloche Gallery

4.3

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•$$$$

Beautiful art in a beautiful gallery. I loved that we were able walk through at our own pace. There…read morewas staff present who were very nice. This was a free exhibit, which felt like such an honor. There was information at the front desk about the art, but it would've been nice for the information to be next to the art in the wall, but still a great experience.

I'll be honest--I dislike this gallery. I have yet to figure out just what Monique's represented…read moreartists have to say that would convince me to take something they created home with me. This is another "contemporary" art gallery that takes itself way too seriously with work that has little true artistic merit. I wonder if any of the artists visited an art museum after their third year in art school? I just don't get it, and I don't want a sociology degree or have to read three pages of rambling, phony diatribe from the artist or the gallery to decipher what's going on. These are actual psycho-babble quotes from a gallery release about an exhibition: "...assembled to create an iconic pattern; a ritualized reordering of passing impressions." "...the benign communal vocabularies of organized religion and public display..." "...stems from their role as intercessors between the ineffable abstraction of heaven and the concrete reality of earth..." Yes, folks; someone gets paid to come up with this crap. Furthermore, I don't give a rat's butt how a 25 year-old interprets heaven, religion or the 'reality of earth." It's all so pretentious and naive, and that's what makes me go crazy when I see it.

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