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15 bookstores I'd be interested in visiting for Chicago Indie Bookstore Day 2026

So, if you don't know, every "year, Chicagoland proves itself to be the dream destination for book lovers and readers of all ages!" 

"Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) is a one-day national party celebrating indie bookstores on the last Saturday in April. Across the country, each store creates its own unique events—including guest authors, special kids’ story times, readings, contests, giveaways, sales, and more. In Chicago, we do the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl."

"This year, Chicagoland is BACK with 80+ bookstores joining the celebration with our annual Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl! Each year, independent bookstores across the greater Chicago area–from Antioch to Homewood and St. Charles to the Loop–the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl encourages book lovers to indulge in bookstore tourism by visiting 10 or more stores in a single day."

"At each bookstore you visit, you'll get a stamp! No purchase required. But, of course, showing your independent bookstores some love today would be a very cool thing to do. Your goal?! Make it to 10 or 15 (or more) bookstores. Visit TEN stores in one day and get 10% off at all participating bookstores for an ENTIRE YEAR! Visit FIFTEEN stores in one day and get 15% off at all participating bookstores for an ENTIRE YEAR!"

--All quotes from Chi Loves Books

Anyways, with over 80 stores to possibly visit this coming Saturday, April 25th, here are some I'd like to visit (both ones I've never been to--which are the first 9--and some old favorites--the final 6):

  1. The Book Cellar (4736 N Lincoln Ave): "What could be a better combination than books, wine by the glass, cozy couches and delicious café fare?"
  2. Goblin Market (2868 N Lincoln Ave): "Goblin Market stocks over 1500 volumes of manga, manhwa, danmei, and light novels—with more added every week!"
  3. Heirloom Books (6239 N Clark St): "A cozy, eclectic used bookstore, open and inviting to all, with two floors of books, periodicals, LPs, DVDs, CDs, and artwork"
  4. Honey & Hue Bookstore (1804 W 103rd St): "Honey & Hue Bookstore is the latest chapter from Raven R. White, founder of Brown Sugar Café & Books. A Chicago native driven by a lifelong passion for literature, Raven has connected thousands of readers with books that inspire, educate, and uplift"
  5. Howling Pages (4354 N Milwaukee Ave): "Independent bookstore specializing in graphic novels, indie comics, and printed art"
  6. New Book Joy (5512 W Devon Ave): "We're proud to be a women-owned *multi-generational* small business, run by a group of current and former Chicagoland teachers who are enthusiastic about sharing a common JOY of reading and "building great conversations, one book at a time.""
  7. Plot Twist Used Books (5938 W Lawrence Ave): "Shop unique used books at Plot Twist, a woman-owned bookstore"
  8. Slant of Light Books (1543 N Wells St Garden Level): "The bookstore features a wall of fiction and nonfiction, a special Chicago section, as well as kids, science fiction, music, cooking and other genres"
  9. Undercover Books (1232 W 103rd St Suite 1 West): "More than just a rare and used bookstore, we're a vibrant cultural hub – complete with an actual private investigator's office right in the middle!"
  10. 57th Street Books (1301 E 57th St): "Low-ceilinged & mazelike bookshop with a literary vibe and a wide stock"
  11. Call & Response Books (1390 E Hyde Park Blvd): "A Black woman-owned neighborhood bookstore in the Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago focused on fostering a love of reading, community, human connections, and the sharing of ideas across cultures and backgrounds"
  12. Exile in Bookville (Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave suite 210): "Cozy indie bookstore on the 2nd floor, with a window view and a range of gifts"
  13. The Last Chapter Book Shop Chicago (2013 W Roscoe St): "A romance-only bookstore dedicated to bringing readers the love stories they crave"
  14. Partners in Crime Bookshop (4105 N Lincoln Ave): "Chicago's mystery- and romance-centric bookstore"
  15. Perpetual Books (2136 W Division St): "A home for unusual & exceptional books"

(Prompt by me)

"Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl" by Chi Loves Books


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