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.

714 S Dearborn St,
Chicago, IL 60605

Submitted by Melinda Jordan
(@MJtheCloser)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.