Chicago, April 12, 2022 — It's back! Yet again, Chicagoland proves itself to be the dream destination for book lovers and readers of all ages! Nearly 40 independent bookstores in the greater Chicago area—from Lake Forest to Homewood, and Wheaten to the Loop—are collaborating on this year's #ChiLoveBooks Challenge, which encourages book lovers to indulge in bookstore tourism by visiting 10, 15, or more(!!) stores in a single day.
As usual, the challenge is being held on Independent Bookstore Day (IBD), which is a one-day national party celebrating indie bookstores on the last Saturday in April. Each store creates its own unique events—including guest authors, special kids' story times, readings, contests, giveaways, and special sales.
How will it work? When readers arrive at their first bookstore of the day, they will scan a QR code or visit the website chilovebooks.com to view a landing page with instructions and a Google map containing information about all the participating stores (including addresses and directions). And then they're on their way—taking selfies, scanning the QR codes, and tagging their images to #ChiLoveBooks all along the way.
The payoff comes for visits at the following levels:
Visit ten stores in one day and get 10% off at all bookstores listed below for an ENTIRE YEAR!
Visit fifteen stores in one day and get 15% off at all bookstores listed below for an ENTIRE YEAR!
The #ChiLoveBooks Challenge is being sponsored by the Chicagoland Independent Bookstore Alliance (ChIBA), an association formed in 2016 to raise awareness about the vitality of the area's indie bookstores, and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association (GLIBA).
"Independent bookstores are as unique as the communities they reside in, and Chicago bookstores are a real testament to that. Indie Bookstore Day allows us all to highlight not just bookstores, but the book-loving communities that support them. It's my favorite holiday, hands down." —Rebecca George, co-owner, Volumes
"This year's bookstore crawl will be a vivid testament to the way Chicagoland's bookstores weathered their pandemic battering and came back as an even bigger and stronger community. So many of our customers visit multiple indie stores, and the crawl is a fantastic way to celebrate that."—Nina Barrett, owner, Bookends & Beginnings, Evanston
"Bucket O'Blood is so excited to participate in this year's book crawl and share our love of speculative fiction, highlighting diverse voices and shining a light on independent publishers." —Bucket O'Blood Books & Records, Chicago
"We are so lucky—Chicago has such a vibrant bookstore scene all year round. But Indie Bookstore Day is my favorite day of the year because of the #ChiLoveBooks Challenge! Nearly 40 independent bookstores are participating this year, and it's so much fun for Chicago book lovers to zip around town, taking selfies and getting cool book-ish swag. It's heaven!"—Lynn Mooney, co-owner, Women & Children First, Andersonville
The 39 participating stores are:
57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., Chicago 60637 / 773.684.1300 / semcoop.com / The South Side's neighborhood bookstore since 1983, 57th Street Books, sister store to the Seminary Co-op Bookstore, houses a substantial selection of children's books, popular fiction, cookbooks, sci-fi, mysteries, and general interest tites.
Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, Inc., 824 W. Superior St., Suite 100, Chicago 60642 / 312.944.3085 / alincolnbookshop.com / Since 1938, specializing in books, autographs, photographs, historical artifacts, prints, and busts related to Lincoln, the U.S. Civil War, and U.S. Presidents.Author interviews and Artifact Stories on Facebook. Note: Discounts earned from the #ChiLoveBooks Challenge do not apply to Antiquarian items.
after-words bookstore, 23 E. Illinois St.,Chicago 60611 / 312.464.1110 / after-wordschicago.com / One of the few independent bookstores left in downtown Chicago, our two floors house a hand-curated collection of over 70,000 new and used volumes.
Anderson's Bookshops andersonsbookshop.com
Downers Grove 5112 Main St., Downers Grove 60515 / 630.963.2665
Naperville 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville 60540 / 630.355.2665
A cornerstone of our community since 1875, Anderson's is proud to share our passion and knowledge of books with readers of all ages. Plus a huge selection of events, gifts, and toys!
The Book Bin Northbrook, 1151 Church St., Northbrook 60062 / 847.498.4999 / bookbinnorthbrook.com / This 45-year-old iconic Northbrook bookstore is renowned for its friendly, personalized service. Not a superstore—just a super store!
The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 60625 / 773.293.2665 / bookcellarinc.com / Your independent bookstore in Lincoln Square!
The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka 60093 / 847.446.8880 / thebookstall.com / At the Book Stall you get great reviews, sage advice and recommendations, and personalized service for all ages and interests. If you love books, look no further than an indie store!
The Book Table, 1045 Lake St., Oak Park 60301 / 708.386.9800 / booktable.net / We are a fiercely independent, discount new and used bookstore in downtown Oak Park.
Booked, 506 Main St., Evanston 60202 / 847-868-8047 / bookedevanston.com / Learning to read opens the door to a whole new world for children. Continuing to read keeps the door open.
Bookends & Beginnings bookendsandbeginnings.com / 224.999.7722
- 1712 Sherman Ave., Alley #1, Evanston 60201
- Gift & Stationery store at 1716 Sherman Ave., Evanston 60201
Cozy eclectic store nestled in an alley in the heart of Evanston. New & used books, gifts, outstanding cookbook section, kids' books in 28 foreign languages.
Bookie's bookiesbookstores.com
- Beverly / 10324 S. Western Ave., Chicago 60643 / 773.239.1110
- Homewood / 2015 Ridge Road, Homewood 60430 / 708.377.0789
Now in two locations, Bookie's has been providing books and gifts to readers of all ages on the South Side for 30 years.
The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, 475 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn 60137 / 630.469.2891 / bookstoreofge.com / Since 1960, we have been your proudly independent neighborhood bookstore in Glen Ellyn, IL, committed to providing excellent customer service and a wide range of books for all readers.
Bucket o' Blood Books & Records, 3182 N. Elston Ave., Chicago 60618 / 312.890.3860 / www.bucketoblood.com / Bucket O'Blood Books & Records is Chicago's premier destination for new and used speculative fiction, from the macabre to the imaginative, and all points in between.
Centuries and Sleuths, 7419 Madison St., Forest Park 60130 / 708.771.7243 / centuriesandsleuths.com / We specialize in history, mystery and biographical books. The G.K. Chesterton Society, Mystery Discussion Group and History Discussion Group meet here monthly. International, National and Local Authors visit our store almost monthly for discussions and signings. Our store's motto is from the New York writer Christopher Morley "We have what you want, though you may not know you want it."
City Lit Books, 2523 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago / citylitbooks.com / 773.235.2523 / Located in the heart of Logan Square, City Lit is a literary hot spot thanks to its well-curated selections of fiction, non-fiction, science fiction and children's books, along with its rotating calendar of author events and book clubs.
Exile in Bookville, The Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 210, Chicago 60605 / 312.753.3154 / exileinbookville.com / We believe that books and music are synonymous. Read! Listen!
Lake Forest Book Store, 662 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest 60045 / 847.234.4420 / lakeforestbookstore.com / Now in the historic James Anderson building, the Lake Forest Book Store continues its 70-year relationship with the community and looks forward to serving the residents and visitors for years to come.
Love's Sweet Arrow, 17024 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park 60477 / 708.620.8365 / lovessweetarrow.com /(Romance saves the world!
Madison Street Books, 1127 W. Madison St., Chicago 60607 / 312.929.4140 / madstreetbooks.com / A woman-owned, independent bookstore in Chicago's West Loop—a community-minded space with something in store for everyone.
Newberry Bookshop, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago 60610 / 312.255.3520 / bookshop.newberry.org / We have a stellar selection of books, notecards, and postcards; gift items by local artisans; and buttons featuring notable items in the Newberry collection.
Open Books open-books.org
- Pilsen / 905 W. 19th St., Chicago 60608 / 312.243.9776
- West Loop / 651 W. Lake St., Chicago 60661 / 312.475.1355, x100
Open Books is a nonprofit community bookstore that transforms lives through reading, writing, and the UNLIMITED power of used books.
Page 1 Books, 1808 Central St., Evanston 60201 / 847.425.0130 / page1books.com / Home of the No. 1 Book Subscription.
Pilsen Community Books 1102 W. 18th St., Chicago 60608 / 312.478.9434 / pilsencommunitybooks.com / Pilsen Community Books is a worker owned and operated radical bookstore and organizing space carrying new and used books across subjects, with a speciality in literature of the left.
Powell's Books Chicago, 1501 E. 57th St., Chicago 60637 / 773.955.7780 / powellschicago.com / Since 1970, Powell's has offered the best used and bargain books—all 20 to 80% off retail. Located in Hyde Park, 3 blocks west of the Museum of Science and Industry.
Prairie Path, 255 Town Square, Wheaton 60189 / 630.765.7455 / prairiepathbooks.com/home / Prairie Path Books in Wheaton, Illinois, is worth the trip not only because the books and gifts and cards are hand-chosen by the owner and founder (2013), but because coming inside is a truly lovely experience, with homemade cookies and cakes to sample (baked from recipes via our terrific cookbook section), twinkle lights and seating spots, and book displays designed to inspire.
Quimby's Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.342.0910 / quimbys.com / Quimby's Bookstore specializes in small press zines, books, comics and ephemera, favoring the unusual and the aberrant.
RoscoeBooks, 2142 W. Roscoe St., Chicago 60618 / 773.857.2676 / roscoebooks.com / RoscoeBooks is a neighborhood independent bookstore for kids and adults who love books and love to read.
Sandmeyer's Bookstore, 714 S. Dearborn St., Chicago 60605 / 312.922.2104 / sandmeyersbookstore.com / Family owned and operated, Sandmeyer's Bookstore in historic Printing House Row has offered the finest selection of books since 1982.
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery, 1714 W. Division St., Chicago 60622 / 312-877-5170 / semicolonchi.com / Semicolon Bookstore is committed to nurturing the connection between literature, art, and the pursuit of knowledg,; while also using the power of words to better our community.
Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago 60637 / 773.752.4381 / semcoop.com / Widely regarded as one of the best academic bookstores in the world, the Co-op is the first not-for-profit bookstore whose mission is bookselling. The Co-op houses an extensive collection of scholarly titles with a focus on the humanities and social sciences.
TownHouse Books & Cafe, 105 N. 2nd Ave., St. Charles 60174 / 630.584.8600 / townhousebooks.com / An independent bookstore for all ages, with a friendly knowledgeable staff, located in historic downtown St. Charles since 1974.
Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 N Broadway, Chicago 60657 / 773.883.9119 / unabridgedbookstore.com / An iconic Lakeview institution and Chicago's go-to bookstore for LGBTQ literature.
Uncharted Books, 5140 N. Clark St., Chicago 60640 / 872.208.7021 / unchartedbooks.com / We sell a highly curated selection of used books, zines, and rare titles, with a focus on the literary, the local, the strange, and the adventurous.
Volumes Bookcafe, volumesbooks.com
- Wicker Park: 1373 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.697.8066
- Gold Coast: 900 N. Michigan Ave., Level 5, Chicago
Hybrid bookstore/cafe catering to all of your boozy + caffeine needs amid a busy & eclectic neighborhood.
The Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co. and 826CHI, 1276 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622 / 773.772.8108 / secretagentsupply.com / We encourage the exploration of endless possibility through the power of writing. Sales support 826CHI's free programs for Chicago students.
Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago 60640 / 773.769.9299 / womenandchildrenfirst.com / Chicago's feminist bookstore since 1979, we are as political as we are literary.
