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Unchained

With the increasing irrelevancy of giant chains like Borders, which is closing its store on Michigan Ave, now is the time to familiarize yourself with Chicago’s indepdendent bookstores. In fact, you should have done that yesterday. A quick look at the city’s best…

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booksWith the increasing irrelevancy of giant chains like Borders, which is closing its store on Michigan Ave, now is the time to familiarize yourself with Chicago’s indepdendent bookstores. In fact, you should have done that yesterday. A quick look at the city’s best:

Quimby’s

1854 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 342-0910

Specializes in comic books, fun readings, local presses, zines and some literotica. Go to this store now. No cellphones inside the store please. Makes for a pleasant browsing experience. For their mascot, they adapted a cartoon character (whose name happened to be Quimby) created by SAIC alum Chris Ware.

Women & Children First Bookstore

5233 N. Clark, (773)769-9299

Feminist bookstore that focuses on books for, well, women and children. They started a nonprofit: The Women’s Voices Fund, which raises money to run feminist programming at the store. Go support them.

Bronzeville Gold

4655 South King, (773)924-3966

Afro-centric bookstore, creator of “Book It Black to Bronzeville,” a book festival that celebrates literature and emphasizes ‘the importance of literacy for all Chicagoans.” Notable local figures have given readings/signings there, like Chris Gardner, the financial adviser whose life story was the inspiration for the film “Pursuit of Happyness.”

Seminary Co-op Bookstore

5757 South University, (773)752-4381; the co-op also owns 57th St. Books, 1301 East 57th, (773)684-1300

You’re not walking into a religious trap. The bookstore is located in the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary, but it’s got a wide variety of reading matierals, influenced by the nearby University of Chicago. The consumer-owned Co-op also owns 57th St Books, which also tends to be scholarly but with a large general interest and childrens’ section. Both of these book stores are for serious readers.

Bookworks

3444 N. Clark, (773)871-5318

Bookworks has normal books, but it also offers rare and out-of-print books, also super-old records and vintage photographs. They have a severe dedication to beat poets. Plus, they buy books and parking is always available behind the shop.

Chicago Comics

3244 N. Clark, (773)528-1983

This store has been around for fifteen years, and offers a comprehensive collection of main stream comics, local comics, zines, and some underground lit. Owned by the Quimbys’ guy, Eric Kirsammer.

Unabridged Bookstore

3251 N. Broadway, (773)883-9119

The best source in the city for gay and lesbian literature. Open and thriving in its current location since 1980, they also offer a good mix of general fiction, kid’s books, travel books.

The Book Cellar

4736 N. Lincoln, (773)293-2665

Wine bar, cafe, and local author hangout and reading venue. They carry tons of Chicago authors and Chicago-related books. The late Studs Turkel read there a number of times, and you can catch Joe Meno there every now and again. They host readings typically once a month.

Prairie Avenue Books

418 S. Wabash, (800)474-2724

It’s near the art schools for a reason: anything you could ever want about design and architecture in an inspiring space designed by co-owner and retired architect Wilbert R. Hasbrouck. If you have money to burn, you can pick up designy antiques and blueprints.

Barbara’s Bookstore

1218 S. Halsted, (312)413-2665

This is the largest store of the independent Chicago chains. They’ve got a massive selection of books of every variety. Barbara’s also has a built-in room for author appearances, so you know they’re dedicated. They have four Chicago stores and one at O’Hare for when you forget to take something to read on the airplane.

After Words Books

23 E. Illinois, (312)464-1110

This place carries almost anything, with a pretty good used book selection at reasonable prices, even though it’s right off Michigan Avenue. Also, they buy books for cash every Thursday starting at four p.m. Who doesn’t dig cash?

Shake, Rattle, and Read

4812 N. Broadway,(773)334-5311

This place may carry a lot of porn, but it’s also got some dusty vintage magazines at cheap prices. Some records and Star Trek stuff too. Disorganized and fascinating. Much like the people who frequent the store.

Myopic Books

1564 N. Milwaukee, (773)862-4882

Staff of knowledgeable bibliophiles to help you find the right book from its inventory of more than 80,000 used top floor also plays host to local poets, while experimental musicians make use of the unique acoustics of the main floor. A visit here is a great follow up to a seitan reuben from Earwax.

Revolution Books

1103 N. Ashland, (773)489-0930

Forums are held while Marx, Mao, Lenin and Avakian fill the shelves. Around since the 1970s this store is frequented by those in the neighborhood, students, professors and activists. Probably wise to only pay in cash. No paper trail, no Gitmo.

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