Open Books

An amazing book store :) Love their collections of books. Recently went for their sale and brought back a bag of interesting reads!

I was so happy when Open Books moved into my neighborhood. It has two weekly story times for little ones. Miss Nancy is terrific at engaging the children. The children’s section is large and is tucked away in the back. I love taking my chidren here to read and pick out books.
I’ve also spent time looking and browsing books for myself and was pleasantly surprised to find almost every book I had come for. I was able to fill out a card for a book that I couldn’t find and they called me once that book was donated (only took a few weeks!).
The staff is very friendly and helpful and the overall environment is chill and inviting. So happy to have such an awesome place within walking distance!

Sweet spot for families as it is clean and well organized with lots of seating to comfortably read and take your time choosing your next book. I was able to bring my little puppy so that was very helpful and can be an easy stop during an afternoon walk with your tiny pooch! The staff was very helpful :)

Such a cool business! I could get lost in this bookstore forever. I will say that you have to come with an open mind of just picking up books that look interesting. It’s difficult to come in with an idea of what you’re looking for because the collection is just so expansive and unique. Overall though its a very fun experience, equipped with a cute little sitting area to also just read.

I’ve never actually been to the store, but my former company donated books to this place at least twice.
Here’s what I love about Open Books:
— They are willing to pick up your book donations.
— They accept all kinds of books.
I used to work for a publishing company and we would get a ton of books shipped to us for review. Unfortunately, we’d never get to a lot of these books so they’d simply get tossed. I felt sad for these books so my coworkers and I looked up information to see where we can donate these books to. The unfortunate thing was that we could not physically carry the books to donate. It’d just take too much time out of our work day. Luckily we found Open Books.
Since they’re so great, I’ve looked up to see whether I can volunteer with them… Perhaps one day when my schedule opens up again. :)

I came here by used while my lady was getting a haircut and the selection of books here is above and beyond. I found two of my favorite authors upon asking the guy working here. Cheap and fun place to come.

Great local bookstore. Their children’s section includes a toy area so littles stay occupied while mama or older kids look around. The staff was very helpful and welcoming! Great go-​to during winter.

I’ll always love Open Books, Chicago’s volunteer-​led used book store that sponsors literacy programming across the city. When you buy or donate a book, you’re supporting reading tutors and writing workshops for Chicago-​area students and free books for teachers, among other programs. Awesome!
When you step into the West Lake location, you’ll see colorful shelf after shelf of used books in good condition, including plenty of popular titles from the past several years. You’ll also find a few tables of new releases and current best-​sellers, all available for a little (10%?) less than full price. And in person or over the phone, the volunteer staff can search their inventory database if you’re looking for something specific.
More importantly, you should be proud to donate used books of my own. You can contribute fiction, nonfiction, craft books, cookbooks, children’s books, DVDs, and more at the Pilsen warehouse or at a few large dropboxes around town (
). If you’re a reader like me, you’ve probably got a pile around the house already!
I only wish the new location were as convenient as the old one. From Lakeview, I find myself taking the Brown Line to the Pink Line, at least an hour’s trek. I think you’d also have to pay to park.

Love this bookstore! The funds raised through this bookstore is donated to a program to promote literacy. The $ 5 off $ 10 or more is very generous too. It’s easy to find books that have been lightly used. They also have single sofa chairs with a movable desk for those who want to read before buying.

3.5 stars.
I absolutely love Open Books – their mission, what they do, their involvement in literacy and what they do for youth. Their new location is larger than their old River North location but it’s much more difficult for us to get to. Our first time here since their relocation, we drove on accident and parking is $ 4/​hr (ouch).
We left with $ 50 worth of books and got probably about 10 (it was half off day). We were pleased with their selection and how much comfortable seating they have.
However, I was browsing and an employee asked, «Sir, are you finding anything okay?» And since I am a female, I did not turn around and respond. Since I didn’t turn around and respond, the employee increased their voice and repeated their question until I did. I turn around and the employee says, «Oh, I’m sorry you’re female. Cute haircut.» The other customers and employees quietly laughed at the whole situation. Sigh.
While I’m not taking it as a personal attack on me, but rather, a lack of training. I will always love Open Books and hold them close in my hearts as my favorite bookstore in Chicagoland, I will say that new creative ways to ask customers if they are doing okay without referencing gender would be appreciated.
PS. I believe only one cash register is able to process debit/​credit cards so the wait can be a bit to check out at times.

Terrific place. The clerks were incredibly helpful. They had books on each of the subjects we asked about. Welcoming space to browse, sit and read. I was really intrigued by their community purpose of encouraging children literacy. A must to check out.

It was one of those serendipitous moments in life where my friend had to use a bathroom and we happened to be right near Open Books. The space was industrial and really nice looking– I had absolutely no idea it was a used book store at all until I saw that the books were in slightly less than pristine condition (though all still really great!). This place is everything I love in a bookstore, used books galore to explore, incredibly friendly staff, great collection, and still organized (to an extent) in a way that helps guide me through the store.
Open Books also apparently does a lot of good for the community, especially youth, and sounds like they are a really incredible non-​profit social venture: providing kids with a place and activities to do in the summer, encouraging children to visualize and understand how movement and bodies work on the pages by seeing it in real life, and inviting some really well known and inspirational authors in. As a child this would have been my absolute favorite place in the world. Now, as an adult? I want to get involve with the organization and will make a conscious effort to contribute to this bookstore whenever I can.
Absolutely love, love, love this place already and looking for more years of interaction to come!

I love this bookstore. Being a New Yorker who loves to read, I always search out local bookstores. Like the Strand, this book store is a den of wonder. Like any good local store, they have staff recommendations that are excellent. The atmosphere is friendly and the décor is colorful, with lots of couches to sit and read, and an adorable kids section. There is a mix of old and new books and while you might not find what you are looking for, there are gems hiding in every shelf for a very affordable price. Can’t wait to visit again!

Awesome used bookstore — tons of beautiful quality books, all adult topics, and a great kids selection and cool decorated kids’ room. Prices are way low for the value of the books. They take all book donations; all proceeds go to their kids’ literacy programs (see their website for info — looks really wonderful and they use lots of volunteers, too). They had a great sidewalk sale a few weeks ago. They also have author events, and an Open House coming up in October. I certainly plan to support them more, as I find all sorts of great books here (gift-​giving, you know) They have a warehouse in Pilsen, too, also open to the public.

Love the smell of a new-​bookstore-​meets-​old-​books in the afternoon!
I mourned the day Open Books abandoned its River North locale for greener pastures. What used to be just down the street, was now 10 mins by car. A tote in hand and some cash, I decided to make the pilgrimmage on foot. Not much has changed cosmetically in the newer space– similar exposed loft interiors with all the same furniture. It definitely feels more warehouse than homey bookstore. I do miss all the windows from their former location. Back then, it seemed they couldn’t cram enough books onto their shelves. Here, it seemed all of them had room to breathe. New reads and recs, fiction, poetry, historical, self help, sci fi, local Chicago, kids, etc… when you don’t have a title in mind, every bookcase is an adventure to explore. I ended up leaving with a few oldies but goodies for ~$ 3 each. There’s just something about a classic read with the aroma of old paper. Mmmmmm!

I’ve been searching for a particular book for a couple of years and I thought I would never find it! One day, while I was visiting Chicago, I decided to try again at the Open Book. I asked if they had it and they actually did. After I bought it, I wanted to see what else they have and I ended up spending a couple of hours there.
Those who work there are very nice, helpful and friendly. You can even give them your e-​mail address, and if they ever have the book you’re looking for, they will contact you. I can say that they have one of the best customer services I have ever seen.
They have a great selection of books, and the prices are totally affordable. Even though the books aren’t new, they are being taken care of very carefully.
I understood that there are many literacy programs, and this is fantastic because you don’t have to pay anything to sign up. It’s amazing to see that there are people out there doing these things because they enjoy it and there is no profit involved. I will definitely come back to Open Books when I have the chance.

I love Open Books and promote it constantly. Having volunteered there for over four years, I admit to being biased, but it’s a wonderful store. Its great qualities continue at the new location, especially from being tirelessly presided over by co-​manager Dom. And the sales from their reasonably-​priced books support the essential cause of literacy.

Had a wonderful time there with my 4year old. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Plenty of books to sift through and grab for yourself and child.