I finally visited unabridged bookstore! It is definitely worth the hype. This place is HUGE, housing so many different genres, authors, and books for everyone. Browsing for books is one of my favorite past times and I could have spent a loooot of time in here. Being a mom to a two year-old I especially love looking for new books for him. I was able to find one of my favorites here-- where the wild things are. We have since read it every single night before bed for the past two weeks. It continues to be a smash hit. I also grabbed him one of the books from the little critter series that I loved as a kid. He really likes that one too. I only had about 15 minutes to look around, so I definitely need to make another trip to dedicated to finding some books for myself, but I was happy to support this local shop by purchasing some classics for my kiddo. read more

I have very mixed feelings about this bookstore. If you're a big reader of fiction, as I am, you'll find the selection to be first-rate. There are large sections devoted to Penguin Classics, Modern Library, NYRB, and so forth, and a good selection of mystery, horror and science fiction novels. But the non-fiction side of the shop is pathetic. The guiding principle seems to be, "we only stock books that will make our readers comfortable. Books that will tell them what they already think they know. Books that won't challenge them. Books that will teach them nothing new." The entire purpose is to offer customers only those world views that they're already in agreement with -- uniformly Leftist, naively "socialist," anti-capitalist, and anti-Western civilization. And, needless to say, there's a heavy emphasis on sentimental Palestinianism. It's a suffocatingly narrow-minded approach. A bookshop should be a place to discover new ideas and new perspectives. Not a place to have one's dated orthodoxies and narrow-minded perspectives confirmed. If you're in search of books that will confirm your biases and comfort you in your prejudices, it's the bookstore for you. If you want to be intellectually challenged, you'd be better off going to Barnes and Noble, which carries a wide range of authors with differing viewpoints. (Yes, a "big chain" bookstore is more indie than the indie competition!) It has wider aisles too, and friendlier and less condescending clerks. read more

This is a great small business to support and nice stop before I leave Chicago. The selection of books is wonderful but I especially loved the handwritten recommendations by the employees. We did not shop the sale items so paid full price for the books. The cashier was very courteous as well. Shop here instead of Amazon if you are in the area. read more

Unabridged Bookstore - Outside - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just moved to the neighborhood and I love this place! Staff is awesome and great selection

Great find! Decent sized shop with a wide array of fiction and nonfiction, new and old, plus a great sale section for $6. Found multiple books off my list across all genres. Staff was friendly with quick and easy checkout. Would return! read more

I can spend hours in here. It has the coziest vibe, especially during the winter. The staff is always very helpful. They have so many books to choose from, with handwritten recommendations by the staff which I find so cute! You will definitely walk out with more books than you expected. Great prices for great books! read more

Hands down my favorite bookstore in Chicago. The staff are always very friendly and knowledgeable. The selection is phenomenal. I love their queer, classics, and philosophy sections. I live 3hrs away and make the trek to shop here a few times a year, it's worth the trip every single time. Highly recommend! read more

If it weren't for the painful selection of "current events," this shop would easily be 5 stars. The current events section was restricted to Israel and Palestine memoirs, history, analyses, etc. No other current event - not the rest of the Middle East, for ex, nor the world - was offered. Pitiful. The children's section was WONDERFUL. Unabridged is a lot larger than one would expect. They had your typical sections of books that a larger bookstore would have, but with a slightly better curation for most sections. Picked up several children's books, a couple novels, and a book on big data algorithms. Would return, but PLEASE do update the "current events" section. It was too white-washed for me, with the entire section being devoted to the only thing Americans know about the Middle East: Arabs and Jews. read more

I love it here. It's the tiniest little bookstore and it's so cozy. They are filled to the brim with books and very detailed suggestions. I highly recommend reading up on their posted staff comments. I definitely found a book that I have been meaning to add to my collection. It's a great spot to wander and chat with friends or other book worms wandering about. It's tiny so you can hear EVERYTHING and everyone's conversations. Don't forget your free bookmark at checkout. read more

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One of my favorite bookstores with a great selection of books of all types, including an amazingly well-stocked travel section and an exceptional variety of LGBTQ books. A fine children's section and good sale books as well, plus an extensive selection of Penguin Classics and other similar collections. It's a true neighborhood bookstore in a cozy location. New fiction and non-fiction are prominently displayed as you walk in so you always know what's up. I never leave without a few books. read more

They have a fairly decent selection of books given the size of the store but they're way too overpriced unfortunately. I'll still go occasionally to peruse what they have in stock but I can always find anything I like for a better price at other book shops or online. read more

Wow what a dreaaaam walked out with three books! Great selection and can wander here for hours, wish it were in my neighborhood! Sale section had some great books, good value. Loved their music/playlist as well. read more

As a 60+ yr old member of the LGBT community, , I bought books at this store for decades. When I would see a book I wanted to read in a chain store or in the news/online, I would purposely wait until going to Unabridged Books, to purchase the material to support this previously important bookstore in Chicago Over the past few years, this bookstore has shifted from "unabridged" to ideologically abridged. One example: I attempted, on three occasions over the last couple of years, to purchase "irreversible Damage" by Abigail Shrier, a book readily available in most bookstores and online. Each time, a clerk would begin to order the book, then pause as they're reading something in their system that disallow them to order the book. The exact quote " that book appears to not be available." It was very obvious that the 3 women who pretended to search for the book, on 3 separate visits to the store , were refusing to sell it to me. This is a book that has had quite a bit of controversy, so it's important in an unabridged sense, for our community to understand what is written in it. The new employees have absolutely abandoned the original purpose of this formally wonderful bookstore. I went to another local bookstore (in Evanston), staffed by an array of LGBT people, and ordered it without challenge. If Unabridged Books has become narrowly ideological, it should no longer carry the name "Unabridged."What a failure for our community. read more

Awesome bookstore that my husband and I wondered upon after we had turned onto North Broadway when exploring West Belmont. We've been to this section of Chicago before because it is (or was? Idk, it seems the name may have changed based on the streetlight banners and google) known as boystown and being part of the LGBTQIA+ community I like supporting businesses that support the community or are owned by someone who is part of the community. The Unabridged Bookstore has an extensive collection of lgbtgia+ books, including Manga, which caught my eye enough that I want to come back to buy a bunch of books from that section. While looking around my husband and I both found books we wanted. My husband settled on a Spiderman collectable book that was still wrapped in it's plastic (and he may never remove it knowing him). I ended up buying the much talked about Jennette McCurdy book, I'm Glad My Mom Died. I am anticipating enjoying it through tears in my eyes. I look forward to coming back to Unabridged Books soon. read more

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A wonderful neighborhood bookstore, a large sale section which is fun to browse through. There's a wide variety for everyone: a large selection of queer/gay books, classics, cookbooks and a downstairs area which has a bunch of travel books! read more

Decent selection. Overpriced but whatever, smells like paper and literature in that b

This is my new favorite bookstore in Chicago. Because of the books they have. Because how many things I want to purchase while browsing there. Because its a great bookstore. read more

A Lakeview business landmark, Unabridged Bookstore has been open since 1980. It's a wonderful bookstore, and one of the few independent bookstores to have survived the retail book business upheaval brought on by Amazon and other discounters. As much as I love a discount, I also love the idea of discovering a book that I didn't know about...and Unabridged Bookstore is set up to give its customers a relaxing place to browse. Hand-written cards with mini-reviews from the staff are placed next to stacks of favored books. Unabridged is the place to go for an excellent, and well-curated selection of LGBTQ, travel and children's books. Support a wonderful small business, and shop at Unabridged Bookstore! read more

Good variety of books, not a complete variety and definitely one-sided but a good variety overall. Decently organized. Friendly staff. And the sale rack had some good deals read more

Unabridged lives up to it's name. There's no censorship happening here. This is my *go-to* bookstore when buying lesbian books or feminist books, such as Lisa Vogel's recently released (yet already iconic) "We Can Live Like This...a Memoir of a Culture" They also can ship the books you buy, which is very helpful in the holiday season Well done and thank you, Unabridged! read more

My favorite gem in the city. The workers are incredibly knowledgeable, they have little notes around the store to help you choose a book if you walk in without a plan. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

Friendly staff and an excellent selection are key components of a great bookstore. This place has both. Okay so you pay full price for things here. I consider that the cost of having a clean well lit place to peruse and read before purchase. You can't get that online. read more

Customer service is poor at best. As a single, straight woman who worked for years just three doors down in Boy's Town I was always treated with little to no respect when I shopped there. Guess what boys, I'm a librarian now and I'm going to write some really bad reviews. Be nicer. read more

This review is difficult to write. I've loved this bookstore, right next to me, for almost 20 years. It's the rare local bookstore still in business, and I have bought books there as opposed to amazon to support the store. To someone who loves to read, the place is a gem. The handwritten reviews are fantastic, and the selection, while naturally small, is first rate. But the calenders and window displays are offensive and amateur. Don't come here with your children unless you want to explain: 1) what laser ana# bleaching is; and 2) why there are so many calendars in the windows with big hairy naked-except-a-smidge-of-leather men; and 3) why they dont know any of the kids books in the window display for kids. It's sad. A good portion of the window is dedicated to these calendars, usually seen at adult bookstores, and the kids display is almost entirely to help kids understand gender, etc., and features almost none of the great fiction being written for kids. I find the calendars offensive when with my kid. When I am alone, they offend my sense of taste. Such a great bookstore should be above such pandering. The kids books are important to some parents, I respect that. Just make room for some of the other good fiction please (let Kiki shine, come on). Yes its Lakeview. But its not Boystown right there, not meaningfully, so that is no justification. Stand on the corner of Belmont/Broadway. You would never know the real Boystown is a block west on Halsted and then north of Belmont. The staff is also super "snooty." Just sayin'. Ed is awesome though. read more

A wonderful local bookstore with a terrific selection. Always up to date on new releases and interesting titles. Also a great selection of LGBTQ+ titles and an amazing travel section in the basement that is probably the best in the city. Pick a country or area--they're sure to have it and in several different versions. I love browsing there. Because they sell at listed price I often buy a sale book as well (great sale section); that brings the average cost down! read more

The staff is always helpful, they have a great selection of books. Be sure to check out the travel section downstairs.

This is by far te best bookstore in Chicago! Great selection and great service. 10/10

A wonderful bookstore! I visited Chicago last year and happened to walk by it and was excited to find an extensive gay section and beautiful classics! I came back to Chicago this year and made sure to come back! There are complete collections of classics, from penguin classics to Macmillan's collectors library to New York review books classics and more. There are walls of books by/about gay people, lesbians, trans folks, featuring both non-fiction and fiction. This place is a gem! read more

I love unabridged! The staff is amazing, and the store itself has such a diverse collection of books. They even do book clubs for all different genres. Love this place. read more

As an avid reader and book lover, Unabridged is basically my second home in Chicago. In College, Unabridged Bookstore helped expand my horizons as a thinker and as a holistic person. After College, Unabridged Bookstore became my first stop as a middle school teacher for the best books to read with my students and provoke timely and relevant conversations. In graduate school, Unabridged Bookstore helped me find and locate the best possible resources and research materials for all areas of study. In the city if Chicago, Unabridged Bookstore has been a hub for big name authors and providing events to hear/meet such authors. As a gay Christian, Unabridged Bookstore helped me find texts that brought all of my identities and hopes together. Now, in this time of COVID-19, Unabridged Bookstore has kept me sane with a steady stream of book recommendations, easily accessible online ordering, and safe curbside pickup. Furthermore, the Monthly Queer Bookclub over ZOOM has not only been an excuse to read incredible books, but it has been a wonderful time of community and relationship development! All this to say, Unabridged Bookstore has been so much more to me than a place to buy books over the last decade. It has been a part of my chosen family. Thank you for all the memories, great books, and community activities! I look forward to many more memories and good books in the future! read more

I recommend everyone in the Chicago area to stop here! The bookstore is so cute! From their store layout to the quotes all over the store - I spent 2 hours here! Their staff is great and has wonderful book recommendations. I left with 3 books! read more

Unabridged Bookstore - Outside of store - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is a gem of the city. They have a great collection of books that my wife love. My wife took me here almost every other weekends to buy books with her. It's ridiculous read more

Unabridged Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A decent collection of book but they don't price match and most of the time they will have to order it for you. Given the lack of price matching you're almost going to find a better option online and probably far faster then the 7 day wait for orders. An average book store I don't see myself going back to. Far better and more affordable options in the city. If you're hoping to find anything related to Jewish literature then this is the last place to look. 9 versions of the KJV but only one Tanakh and it's only part of a 125 dollar collection... read more

This is my favorite local bookstore! I am really happy to have a local, independent, and reliable bookstore in the neighborhood to support. The staff is very friendly and always helpful whenever I have a question or need help finding a book. For the few times that they do not have a book in stock that I want, they get it in stock usually within days and much quicker than other bookstores in the area - sometimes so quick, that I am surprised when I get the call saying that it is now available at the store! Which is always a welcome surprise. The store itself is big and you're bound to find something you're interested in if you decide to go inside and look around. I take all my friends that I host from out-of-town here since it is in the heart of the neighborhood. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to visit in Lakeview! read more

Fantastic! Exceptional inventory and service. Great vibe! Please support this local bookstore!

I love this bookstore. The staff recommendations sprinkled around the store are enjoyable to read and informative, and there's a great variety between the different employees. Also very helpful that you can reference their suggestions on the website. Most recently i was there purchasing childrens book, which also had a good selection. the physical layout is cozy, with a wide selection. To my knowledge they just have (paid) street parking, which is par for the neighborhood. read more

I went to the unabridged bookstore on 12/5/2022. I walked in and was immediately amazed at the size of the store. There is an upstairs and downstairs level. You can find any type of book genre that you may be looking for at this store. I liked that before the bookstore closed they played the song "Closing Time" by Semisonic. The books may be a bit overpriced but if you are in need of a good book I would recommend buying from this store. read more

Unabridged Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The BEST and biggest sale section you can find at any bookstore. I've never left this place empty handed.

Genuinely shocked I have not already given five stars to Unabridged. It's my neighborhood bookstore and, honestly, my beau ideal of a bookstore. Who even knows how many books I've bought there, especially from their best-in-the-city sale section or because of intriguing staff recommendations. Love it love it love it read more

This is my favorite local bookstore in the city. I used to live walking distance but have since moved completely across town (Jefferson Park) but I still come to this book store once a month. I place an order online for pickup (saves me shipping) and on the most recent occasion when I accidentally selected shipping, they knew me well enough to follow up and make sure I had meant to have it shipped (I hadn't and was able to switch it to my normal pickup). Love that my bookstore knows me better than I know myself. Great selection and if they don't have it, they can usually order it and have it for you pretty quickly. read more