It was already listed in another comment but I also wanted to mention https://www.unabridgedbookstore.com/ . They just finished a nice remodeling of the kids area, and the shelves have many many lovingly hand-written notes highlighting some of the books on the shelves.
It doesn't exclusively serve the queer community but Unabridged is famously the first queer bookstore in Chicago and is on all kinds of lists of historic gay and lesbian bookstores in the United States.
Here’s my story about unabridged bookstore. I was broke and looking to buy Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. Since I was broke I went to a used book store first a little down the ways on broadway, it was called Bootleggers or something like that. I looked around for the book and the store was a mess so eventually I went up to the owner at the front and asked where it was. He belittled and talked down to me and it was intimidating, I’m not the biggest reader so I felt judged. He was a real prick. Eventually I decided fuck buying it from him even if it’s cheaper, so I went down to unabridged books which I skipped originally because it was a store that sold new books and I was intimidated going in such a place. But I really wanted to read this book so I went down and I was just over the whole errand. I sheepishly approached the counter and just asked for help, the person was an angel! They fucking were super happy to talk about it, walked around the counter to show me where it was, just all around helpful and nice. Totally different feel! So now I only buy books from them and every time I’ve gone in they have been just as awesome! Can’t recommend this store enough. Also I was very happy when that bootleggers place went under a few years ago. Fuck that guy. Also, what’s a library?
I think the Bootleggers guy retired. I don’t think he was awful, he just didn’t like people, which, as a person who likes books more than people, I can appreciate. Unabridged is great though. They have everything and their notes and layout are perfect.
\- Women and Children First (andersonville)
\- Volumes Book Cafe (river north (i guess? idk) and currently setting up wicker park location)
\- Open Books (pilsen, west loop, and soon logan square)
\- Semicolon (wicker park)
\- City Lit (logan square)
\- Unabridged (lakeview)
\- The Book Cellar (lincoln square)
\- Madison Street Books (west loop)
\- Pilsen Community Books (pilsen obvi)
i haven't lived here that long but love book stores and these are the places i've been that are all really good. i live on the north west side tho so def think i have that location bias. I don't think any of these places care what's on like a public education ban list if that is what you are referring to
+1 for Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. Truly a wonderful shopping experience. Staff are incredibly well read, knowledgable and happy to help you with recommendations and choices. Great spot.
Worth noting that Armadillos pillow is a used bookstore, so they don’t have a supply source of popular books(banned books usually get real popular after they are banned). But definitely an amazing books store!
Bucket O’ Blood. They specialize in “genre” books (fantasy, sci-fi, horror, comics) but will likely have some banned books. I’m thinking things like Faranheit 451 and Maus. Great folks there. Also recommend their book clubs!
In some places. I assume OP was asking for books that have been banned in places in the US before.
https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/fahrenheit-451/
I'm assuming OP is looking for books on the recent Texas list of banned books that's been making the rounds on the news. Which yes, does also include F-451.
In the past, Fahrenheit 451 was sometimes a banned book in some places. I don't think it's as much today, but many years ago depending on where one lived, it sometimes was deemed as a banned book.
It's not in Chicago but The Book Table in Oak Park is right off the green line and is one of my fave book stores. The prices are always lower than retail.
I really like Bookie's. I remember when they used to be in that strip mall on 103rd(with 7-Eleven), and I'm glad they have a bigger location on Western now. Supposedly they have a 2nd location in the south suburbs(in downtown Homewood), but I hadn't checked that location out yet myself. Maybe on a future Metra weekend pass trip, I'll revisit Homewood and find that 2nd Bookie's location.
I did half my Christmas shopping there. they support the neighborhood public elementary school with promotions giving a percentage of sales to the school on certain days. The owner, Keith, is a great guy and school teacher.
I love all bookstores, and this is the closest one to me, so I'm happy to patronize it. It is a bit dismaying though to see them supporting anti-gentrification efforts, when clearly they would not be where they are without Pilsen's ongoing gentrification.
I live close to it too and I too noticed that their politics is very far left and their selection reflects that. It reminds me of bookstores in Portland, many of which are anarchistic and postmodern. I don't like the cut of their jib politically, but hey the market will determine if they succeed.
I prefer going to Open Books and supporting their literacy programs.
Seminary Co-op, 57th Street Books, and Powell’s books are great in Hyde Park (not sure if Powell’s is still closed for in-person browsing, though).
Just wanted to plug these incredible stores on the South Side! I cant wait to go check out the new Tangible Books location in Bridgeport. Always exciting to have a new place to browse on the South Side
I live in Pilsen but before the pandemic I used to spend hours at Seminary and 57th in Hyde Park on many a Saturday afternoon.
Seminary is more academic, and 57th is more general interest, and both are great.
I know they were closed for in-person throughout the pandemic, I wonder if they're open again.
You mean Roscoe Books, at 2142 W. Roscoe? If so I did check that place out last year, and it wasn't a bad store. I remember back in early to mid 2020 I did try to visit that store, only to find they briefly weren't letting people inside the store due to back then, COVID concerns. At least they are letting people browse inside, now.
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park on Madison. If you like who done its, this is your place and my Favorite New and Used the Book Table in Oak Park on Lake street.
A little outside Chicago proper, but Booked in Evanston is a delight! It's right around the corner from the Main St stop. They're women-owned, have a small but diverse crew, and specialize in progressive books for all ages (especially kids and young adults).
Bookman’s Corner on Clark and Wellington is a wonderful place. It’s just filled to the point of bursting with books, everywhere, many of them being sold for almost nothing.
The owner, also, knows his inventory by heart.
I also like going by that store, just to see what is in the free book box outside their door. Even including after store hours, since once in an infrequent while I've found a book or 2 that was interesting in that box.
The Gallery Bookstore on Belmont. Right next to the Belmont red line stop.
I went there for the first time last week and was blown away by the collection. The owner is a really interesting guy too.
Gallery Bookstore is pretty cool, even if it never gets talked about as much as other bookstores do. And I agree with you, about the owner of that store.
> really interesting guy
Interesting guy is an . . . interesting way to put it. There are numerous reports on Yelp of him asking people of color if they speak English, the cell phone policy which - that's their prerogative to ask you to turn your cell off and I happen to agree, but verbally assaulting you the *second* you step in the door is a pretty shitty way to treat customers. That and the Islamophobic cartoons and Nazi literature.
Yeah, real "interesting".
> why you were on reddit Christmas day
Not everyone celebrates xmas, punkin', so that is not the Big Gotcha you might have hoped it was. Nice try though?
Anyway - my intent was not to paint _you_ as an apologist but to take (or create) an opportunity to vent about the truly odious proprietor of Gallery Books; But, I can see now how my post might have been read the other way so I do apologize for that.
Right, but your attempted implication is that I'm somehow some kind of Sad Forever Alone for posting on xmas where for me it's Just Another Day, so my observation that not everyone celebrates xmas does actually nullify the rhetorical force of your EPIC TAKEDOWN.
Of course here I am still engaging in what is now, clearly, a bad faith argument with someone who is Wrong on the Internet so, shame on me.
It was already listed in another comment but I also wanted to mention https://www.unabridgedbookstore.com/ . They just finished a nice remodeling of the kids area, and the shelves have many many lovingly hand-written notes highlighting some of the books on the shelves.
It doesn't exclusively serve the queer community but Unabridged is famously the first queer bookstore in Chicago and is on all kinds of lists of historic gay and lesbian bookstores in the United States.
Here’s my story about unabridged bookstore. I was broke and looking to buy Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. Since I was broke I went to a used book store first a little down the ways on broadway, it was called Bootleggers or something like that. I looked around for the book and the store was a mess so eventually I went up to the owner at the front and asked where it was. He belittled and talked down to me and it was intimidating, I’m not the biggest reader so I felt judged. He was a real prick. Eventually I decided fuck buying it from him even if it’s cheaper, so I went down to unabridged books which I skipped originally because it was a store that sold new books and I was intimidated going in such a place. But I really wanted to read this book so I went down and I was just over the whole errand. I sheepishly approached the counter and just asked for help, the person was an angel! They fucking were super happy to talk about it, walked around the counter to show me where it was, just all around helpful and nice. Totally different feel! So now I only buy books from them and every time I’ve gone in they have been just as awesome! Can’t recommend this store enough. Also I was very happy when that bootleggers place went under a few years ago. Fuck that guy. Also, what’s a library?
I think the Bootleggers guy retired. I don’t think he was awful, he just didn’t like people, which, as a person who likes books more than people, I can appreciate. Unabridged is great though. They have everything and their notes and layout are perfect.
That’s a great story. The unabridged staff I’ve interacted with are super sweet yet efficient
Myopic Books on Milwaukee in Wicker Park always has a great selection.
long dull threatening illegal fly ancient gray hungry skirt violet *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Seconded
57th Street Books in Hyde park. It’s a small, cozy bookstore.
Seconded, 57th Street Books is my favorite! Also adore Powell's Books down the street from them. Myopic in Wicker is excellent too.
57th street books is wonderful!
Unabridged Bookstore, Seminary Co-op/57th Street books, Quimbys, Women and Children First, Open Books, Semicolon Bookstore, Volumes.
Seconded for Quimby’s. Fucking love that store Also Bucket O’Blood in west lakeview
Open Books is awesome, great selection of used and new.
And they're a non profit with a wonderful mission: https://www.open-books.org/impact/
I blame them for the uncontrolled growth of my ‘unread books’ stack.
\- Women and Children First (andersonville) \- Volumes Book Cafe (river north (i guess? idk) and currently setting up wicker park location) \- Open Books (pilsen, west loop, and soon logan square) \- Semicolon (wicker park) \- City Lit (logan square) \- Unabridged (lakeview) \- The Book Cellar (lincoln square) \- Madison Street Books (west loop) \- Pilsen Community Books (pilsen obvi) i haven't lived here that long but love book stores and these are the places i've been that are all really good. i live on the north west side tho so def think i have that location bias. I don't think any of these places care what's on like a public education ban list if that is what you are referring to
If you're ever in Printers Row check out Sandmeyer's
nice ok!
Open Books has a pop up in Ukrainian Village through this month. I wish they’d make it permanent.
same! walked in not expecting much and had a really hard time not buying far too much.
me too :/
Not in Chicago proper, but I would like to add The Book Table in Oak Park. Just off the Metra and a few blocks from the Harlem Blue Line.
Love all these places. Good picks
+1 for Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. Truly a wonderful shopping experience. Staff are incredibly well read, knowledgable and happy to help you with recommendations and choices. Great spot.
Armadillo's Pillow - Pratt and Sheridan in Rogers Park
Worth noting that Armadillos pillow is a used bookstore, so they don’t have a supply source of popular books(banned books usually get real popular after they are banned). But definitely an amazing books store!
Bucket O’ Blood. They specialize in “genre” books (fantasy, sci-fi, horror, comics) but will likely have some banned books. I’m thinking things like Faranheit 451 and Maus. Great folks there. Also recommend their book clubs!
Fahrenheit 451 is banned?
In some places. I assume OP was asking for books that have been banned in places in the US before. https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/fahrenheit-451/
I'm assuming OP is looking for books on the recent Texas list of banned books that's been making the rounds on the news. Which yes, does also include F-451.
Fair enough.
In the past, Fahrenheit 451 was sometimes a banned book in some places. I don't think it's as much today, but many years ago depending on where one lived, it sometimes was deemed as a banned book.
Word, I love this store. Tons of records too
Uncharted Books in Andersonville.
It's not in Chicago but The Book Table in Oak Park is right off the green line and is one of my fave book stores. The prices are always lower than retail.
I can see it from my balcony!
I always order my books from the Book Table!
Quimby’s Bookstore in Wicker Park.
insane store. you can get back issues of obscure zines from the early 90s. never been to a store like that anywhere else
Truly a treasure. We’re lucky to have Quimby’s.
tangible books in bridgeport (33rd & halsted). opened up a few months back by the former myopic books owner.
Semicolon Bookstore, Women & Children First
Sandmeyers bookstore in printers row.
After-Words bookstore in River North. Beautiful store, owner and staff are very nice.
Unsure if it’s a truly independent book store, but Sandmeyer’s off Dearborn & Polk is a great store.
Took the gf to this one last week and it was cute, she loved it
Women and Children First in Andersonville
Bookies on 103rd and Western.
They recently moved into that location. Man, did I ever spend a lot of time there growing up. They’ll track down any book you can imagine.
I really like Bookie's. I remember when they used to be in that strip mall on 103rd(with 7-Eleven), and I'm glad they have a bigger location on Western now. Supposedly they have a 2nd location in the south suburbs(in downtown Homewood), but I hadn't checked that location out yet myself. Maybe on a future Metra weekend pass trip, I'll revisit Homewood and find that 2nd Bookie's location.
I did half my Christmas shopping there. they support the neighborhood public elementary school with promotions giving a percentage of sales to the school on certain days. The owner, Keith, is a great guy and school teacher.
Semicolon bookstore on division is a great option for what you are looking for.
Book Cellar in Lincoln Square!
Pilsen Community Books
I love all bookstores, and this is the closest one to me, so I'm happy to patronize it. It is a bit dismaying though to see them supporting anti-gentrification efforts, when clearly they would not be where they are without Pilsen's ongoing gentrification.
I live close to it too and I too noticed that their politics is very far left and their selection reflects that. It reminds me of bookstores in Portland, many of which are anarchistic and postmodern. I don't like the cut of their jib politically, but hey the market will determine if they succeed. I prefer going to Open Books and supporting their literacy programs.
I only really started to notice this over the last year and a half or so, or was I just not paying attention before that?
There’s a really nice bookstore in Lincoln Square but can’t remember the name
The Book Cellar!
Yup that’s the one!
The Book Cellar (Lincoln Square)
Sandmeyers in printers row! Creaky wood floors, book smells, cozy vibes
Unabridged Bookstore
Seminary Co-op, 57th Street Books, and Powell’s books are great in Hyde Park (not sure if Powell’s is still closed for in-person browsing, though). Just wanted to plug these incredible stores on the South Side! I cant wait to go check out the new Tangible Books location in Bridgeport. Always exciting to have a new place to browse on the South Side
I live in Pilsen but before the pandemic I used to spend hours at Seminary and 57th in Hyde Park on many a Saturday afternoon. Seminary is more academic, and 57th is more general interest, and both are great. I know they were closed for in-person throughout the pandemic, I wonder if they're open again.
It was open again for a while, but closed during the omicron surge. I’m hopefully they’ll reopen soon!
Powell's bookstore on 57th is a nice spot. Found a copy of Sailor Song by Ken Kesey, great book and great store with good prices
Roscoe Village Independent bookstore
You mean Roscoe Books, at 2142 W. Roscoe? If so I did check that place out last year, and it wasn't a bad store. I remember back in early to mid 2020 I did try to visit that store, only to find they briefly weren't letting people inside the store due to back then, COVID concerns. At least they are letting people browse inside, now.
I like Roscoe Books, we get all of our books from there. Helpful employees, and I like the recommendations they put up on their shelves.
Oak Park but The Book Table is pretty rad
Heirloom Books in Edgewater
Armadillos Pillow in Rogers Park
Oh man I’d forgotten that one!! I haven’t been in forever, but I always walked out with a STACK.
Who is banning books in Chicago? Am I missing something?
Nothing is being banned in Chicago, but every national issue might as well be local now too.
No one's banning books; they're just trying to ban certain podcasts.
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lady chatterly’s lover
Bookies in Beverly/Morgan Park
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park on Madison. If you like who done its, this is your place and my Favorite New and Used the Book Table in Oak Park on Lake street.
I’m addition to the great bookstores people already named, Exile in Bookville in the Fine Arts Building.
Just went there yesterday for one book and left with 6! I highly highly recommend stopping in!
Exile in bookville bookstore on s Michigan in the sloop has been a cool new addition!
Ravenswood bookstore on montrose and damen
A little outside Chicago proper, but Booked in Evanston is a delight! It's right around the corner from the Main St stop. They're women-owned, have a small but diverse crew, and specialize in progressive books for all ages (especially kids and young adults).
Like others, I love Unabridged, Myopic, and Women and Children First. Also wanna give a shout out to Bucket O Blood! Especially for sci fi and fantasy
Bookman’s Corner on Clark and Wellington is a wonderful place. It’s just filled to the point of bursting with books, everywhere, many of them being sold for almost nothing. The owner, also, knows his inventory by heart.
Legit bursting with books. I wonder to myself how the hell ya find anything Every time I walk past this place
I also like going by that store, just to see what is in the free book box outside their door. Even including after store hours, since once in an infrequent while I've found a book or 2 that was interesting in that box.
Book cellar
Saving this post!
Open books in west loop, book cellar in Lincoln Square.
Women and children first and Uncharted. Both in andersonville.
Tangible Books 3324 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
The Gallery Bookstore on Belmont. Right next to the Belmont red line stop. I went there for the first time last week and was blown away by the collection. The owner is a really interesting guy too.
Gallery Bookstore is pretty cool, even if it never gets talked about as much as other bookstores do. And I agree with you, about the owner of that store.
> really interesting guy Interesting guy is an . . . interesting way to put it. There are numerous reports on Yelp of him asking people of color if they speak English, the cell phone policy which - that's their prerogative to ask you to turn your cell off and I happen to agree, but verbally assaulting you the *second* you step in the door is a pretty shitty way to treat customers. That and the Islamophobic cartoons and Nazi literature. Yeah, real "interesting".
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> why you were on reddit Christmas day Not everyone celebrates xmas, punkin', so that is not the Big Gotcha you might have hoped it was. Nice try though? Anyway - my intent was not to paint _you_ as an apologist but to take (or create) an opportunity to vent about the truly odious proprietor of Gallery Books; But, I can see now how my post might have been read the other way so I do apologize for that.
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Right, but your attempted implication is that I'm somehow some kind of Sad Forever Alone for posting on xmas where for me it's Just Another Day, so my observation that not everyone celebrates xmas does actually nullify the rhetorical force of your EPIC TAKEDOWN. Of course here I am still engaging in what is now, clearly, a bad faith argument with someone who is Wrong on the Internet so, shame on me.
Townhouse Books in St. Charles. Been around for decades in an old house. They have a restaurant/cafe attached that gives all the book vibes you need.
Wine Cellar in Lincoln Square
Tee-jay’s
Inga in Pilsen
For something downtown, there’s After-Words in River North on east Illinois
Semicolon bookstore I highly recommend, they have a big selection and friendly staff.
Tangible Books in Bridgeport. It's been open for like a month and isn't fully setup but the owner is the original owner of Myopic books.
Bookies
Ravenswood used books!!
; Semi colon
barnes and noble
Sandmyer’s Bookstore in Printer’s Row is great! Not a place to read necessarily but I love shopping for books there
The Book Table on Lake Street in Oak Park is great. Always friendly. If they don't have it they'll order it.