National Book Lovers Day | Agents’ Favorite Books + Bookstores
Booklovers unite! In honor of National Book Lovers Day, Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty agents have each recommended their favorite bookshops in the Chicagoland area. Keep scrolling to discover independent establishments offering both new and used books, spanning literary genres.
Sandmeyer's Bookstore
Sandmeyer's Bookstore has been offering great new books and outstanding service to Chicago's South Loop for 28 years. Sandmeyer's Bookstore, a true community gem, has been family-owned and run since 1982.
Bookends & Beginnings
Submitted by Jackie Mack
(@jackiedmack)
1620 Orrington Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
The store provides a particularly large range of food-related publications, as well as international children's books in 26 languages. Come to the bookstore that regulars refer to as "the speakeasy for books."
Bookends & Beginnings, located in the center of downtown Evanston, is a quaint independent bookshop that offers new and used books, unusual gifts, including an exclusive line of charming jewelry, and literary gatherings. This one-of-a-kind location near Northwestern University is a bookworm's dream.
Open Books
Multiple Locations
Chicago, Illinois
Open Books is not your typical bookstore. The shop, which opened in 2009 as an extension of the Open Books organization, now has a new site at the Literacenter. More than 50,000 books, largely worn and donated, with some newer titles, are housed on rows of brightly colored wooden shelves. Open Books has a specialized children's and young adult department as well as plenty of cozy reading nooks for cuddling up with new findings.
Barbara’s Books
Multiple Locations
Chicago, Illinois
Submitted by Kelsey Mayher
(@movingwithmayher)
Barbara's has a reputation in Chicago for offering high-quality merchandise and personal, full-service stores in unique locations. Their stores have twice been chosen by the Chicago Tribune as one of the city's top 100 attractions.
Pilsen Community Books
1102 W 18th St
Chicago, Illinois, 60608
While this Pilsen bookshop sells new and used books, the actual driving force behind this beautiful, no-frills shop is to assist support local neighborhood schools by providing books to instructors and students. In terms of inventory, book fans will be especially pleased with the shop's selection of rare books (which you can also browse online), which includes vintage copies of Emily Dickinson's Poems and The Jungle Book, as well as new releases.
Anderson’s Bookshop
5112 Main St
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Anderson's Bookshops specializes in book sales, author events, and book signings (which are now held in our virtual landscape), as well as creating a sense of community, learning, and enjoyment.
The Book Stall
811 Elm St
Winnetka, IL 60093
The Book Stall, a North Shore landmark, is one of the area's major independent bookstores. This general trade book store has a reputation for trustworthy customer care, multiple author appearances throughout the year, and an 8,500-strong monthly newsletter.
Booked
Submitted by Jackie Mack
(@jackiedmack)
506 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
Booked offers a carefully curated, diverse selection of titles for readers of all ages. From board books for babies to literary bestsellers for adults (and everything in-between), they have books for all the readers and future readers in your life.