A Booklover's Guide to Chicago

Chicago is a great place for a booklover because of the huge number of bookstores in the city. Whatever you are looking for your chances of finding it on the miles of shelves in Chicago bookstores are pretty good.

Most of the bookstores in Chicago specialize in the types of books they stock and cater specifically to their reader's interests. Additionally, there are several bookstores in many of the ethnic neighborhoods of Chicago that have huge inventories of books in specific languages.

Here are some of the best bookstores in Chicago that any booklover will enjoy.

Abraham Lincoln Book Shop
357 West Chicago
The Abraham Lincoln Book Shop specializes in books that cover every imaginable aspect of the Civil War. Browse through the other artifacts and memorabilia in the store for a brief look into our nation's history

Prairie Avenue Book Shop
418 South Wabash
The Prairie Avenue book shops stocks it shelves with books on architecture. Also available are several out of date periodicals and books on architecture. While most of the books are pretty serious stuff covering the topic of architecture there are some good choices for the amateur do-it -yourselfer.

Powell's Bookstore
1501 East 57th Street
If you are looking for a book that is out of print or not found on the shelves of the nearest Border's try Powell's. Whatever you are looking for chances are they can find it for you. This used bookstore is crammed with books on every topic, in every size and every price range. Definitely a good place to get lost in on a rainy afternoon.

O'Gara & Wilson Booksellers, Ltd
1448 East 57th Street
Most of the books in this little shop come from private estates or individual sellers. The focus is on the humanities but just like most other used bookstores just about everything can be found here, with the exception of popular fiction.

57th Street Books
1301 East 57th Street
This bookstore takes up the basement of the building and has a huge travel section where you can always curl up with the book of your choice and wish yourself away from Chicago. This is one of the best bookstores to browse in because of its endless row of shelves on every subject imaginable.

Barbara's Bookstore
1218 South Halsted Street
Barbara's Bookstore is probably one of the best staffed bookstores in Chicago. It seems that everyone working in the store has read every book the store owns and has superpower retention and recall abilities. This bookstore focuses on serious fiction and it regularly hosts author reads.

Quimby's
1854 West North Avenue
A favorite with comic book lovers, Quimby's carries just about every comic book you can think up. Take the time to browse and you never know what will turn up.

Seminary Cooperative Bookstore
5757 South University Avenue
This bookstore is touted as being the most scholarly bookstores in the country and it probably is true. Just stepping inside makes you feel smarter! The shelves are stuffed with, but not limited to, books on philosophy, theology, social science and biographies. Seminary is an intellect's candy store.

Women and Children First
5233 North Clark Street
This bookstore is a favorite with locals and visitors for the books it stocks and the guests it books. Women and Children First dedicates it shelves to finding and featuring the best books written by and for women. There is also a very good selection of children books and they host a weekly story time.

Afrocentric Bookstore
4655 South Martin Luther King Drive
This bookstore features volumes that reflect the world from an African point of view. It also hosts several notable African American authors for readings.