Babbitt’s Books

Oh, Babbitt’s, what has happened? Actually I know exactly what has happened. The store, which was once in danger of closing, has changed hands. It is now less than half the size it was, and instead of a large, eclectic offering of books, the store now seems more geared toward collectors of science fiction, fantasy, pulp fiction and ephemera. Still managed to find an interesting book that I never would have found at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Cute little shop! The people that work there are friendly and chatty, but also more than happy to leave you alone while you explore. My husband was very excited to see they had an old school Battlestar Galactica comic book. I enjoyed the the shelf immediately by the entrance — it had quite an interesting selection that could keep me entertained for some time!

Coolest bookstore on the planet. Great staff and interesting collection of books and other surprising things.

Brian is a very cool guy who knows his books.
remember books?
if you do and you like them, go see Brian

Addendum: Mr Simpson has posted on his Facebook page, and there is an article in the Pantagraph newspaper, that Babbits Books is closing, permanently, by June 2015. This news has struck the downtown Normal community as the unexpected volcano eruption struck Pompeii. Goodbye to, not only a special oasis in these changing times, but to times bygone that, yes, were better than the times of today.
Addendum 2: The bookstore has been bought and reopened. Mr. Simpson, despite his knowledge of bookselling for over thirty years, could no longer pay the rent and make money at selling used books to the increasingly sparse population of human beings with an attention span greater than that of a flea circus gnat; the new owners, apparently, wish to prove him wrong. And to that I say, «Bully!» I wish them only the very best in their pursuit, and may they be the last remaining used bookstore on planet earth so that I can still, on a rainy day, duck inside to shake off my umbrella, pet the store cat (if there still is one, and if it doesn’t bite), and thumb through old books – silverfish jumping from glue-​bindings at the book’s first jostle on the shelves in years – for a couple hours. When the sun breaks, it’s time to pony up a couple bucks for a vintage paperback – maybe some Dale Carnegie telling me how to win friends, or Erma Bombeck talking about green grass over septic tanks, or some other old forgotten fodder – so that this fantastic, old-​school museum to reading and books can pay next month’s electric bill and live on. A fabulous nod to the past, it should not be missed.
Original Review:
I was walking in downtown Normal when I saw the old-​time sign hanging out front of Babbitt’s Bookstore. It conjured images of Sinclair Lewis and his novel of the rigors of contemporary life in the early 20’s, Babbitt. I entered the store and the owner — a kindly, bearded gentleman that is well-​read and chatty with only a mild conversational nudge — remained behind his desk listening to NPR, ready to help if I needed it, but no pressure, while I roamed the stacks. There are two full storefronts of books — everything from John Updike to J.K. Rowling — in neat shelves, and a few scattered boxes on the floor. Each shelf is categorized and alphabetized, every book is carefully marked with the price in pencil inside the cover. I was surprised to stumble upon many first-​edition and signed copies of books.
I’m a full-​time novelist and appreciate the glory of a full-​service new and used bookstore. A leap back in time to a gorgeous vintage bookseller, only five blocks from ISU and one block from the Amtrak station, across the street for a coffeehouse and a simple but decent Chicago hot dog joint… well, this little block of the street is a heaven. And Babbitt’s Bookstore is the pearly gate.
A note about Babbitt’s that may, or may not, be of interest to you: David Foster Wallace, a giant post-​modern literary figure, taught at Illinois State University from 1993 – 2002 (during the release of his epic, «Infinite Jest»). I encourage those so inclined to web search DFW’s syllabi — the ones for English 101 and 102: Literary Analysis are part of his archives at University of Texas, Austin, and reprinted online. Stephen King’s «Carrie» and Jackie Collins’s «Rock Star» are on the required reading list. The professor emphasized that the course should not be taken lightly, even though the reading list would suggest otherwise. It’s a hoot! Professor Wallace asked his students to buy the recommended books at, where else… Babbitt’s Books.
On the sunny day I was in the store, I bought Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates to read on the Quad at ISU; it was only four dollars. The prices are all exceptional. I was enthusiastic from my book-​perusing that day (and maybe a little woozy from tilting my head to one side to read book spines for over an hour) and I forgot to even check if Babbitt’s Bookstore carried Sinclair Lewis’s novel.
I suppose, then, that I have an excuse for another afternoon in the bookstore: to ask the owner, Mr. Simpson, if he has a copy of the Sinclair Lewis book and to ask about his relationship with David Foster Wallace. This bookstore is the best that I have seen in my two decades living in central Illinois. A treasure.

This shoppe is a little corner of heaven. I cannot leave without buying at least one book. I love the organized chaos of the place, and how many old books they have. Every time I visit Uptown Normal, I have to stop in at Babbitt’s Books.

Book heaven! Love wandering through this store. At first it’s slightly overwhelming because of the overstuffed bookshelves and books stacked every where. However, once you get a hang of the categories and where the books are, it’s easy to navigate.
You can use their website to search for books that they have in stock. I recently went in with a list of seven books I wanted. I found five on my own, a staff member found one easily and the last wasn’t in stock after all. I bought six books and paid just over $ 25. Yes, please.

Wow! The vintage books are awesome! The prices are exceptional and they take credit cards but of course it has to be over $ 5, which is fine. Books can range from a few dollars (I saw many for $ 4 and way up there). You have to really like the eclectic reading and remember this is a College Town so you will find many (well not super many) books that are of the «school» nature. But again, its not tons.
I ended up buying some beautiful lithographs from books in the 1920’s, which are encased in plastic and awesome for framing. Picture it, beautiful black and whites from the 1920’s and able to tell a story but framing it. This is going to be good.
Now, the funny thing was that I was in the occult section and what happens? A black car runs through without warning. It turns out that he is the mascot, but if anyone was in ears distance, they would of heard me scream like a five year old girl walking into a spiders web. Dang, that was so not cute.
But all in all, this little bookstore is amazing and vintage up the wazoo.

This is a fine used bookstore. Babbitt’s collection covers a large variety of genres, and the staff members are very helpful. Their inventory searches aren’t always up to date, but I’ve found that to be the case with many used bookstores, not just Babbitt’s. Bear in mind that this isn’t a large chain store offering thousands of copies of the same book. If you take the time to browse through their collection, you will find some hidden gems.

If you own a used book store, and you actually tack the time to alphabetize your inventory, you’re gonna get high marks from this kid. Secondly, if your product is actually reasonably priced, then you’re gonna get 5 stars. I think I spent a good chunk of Saturday afternoon here, and came across some really great finds. The best part, is that I got 3 practically new books for $ 12. Great stuff!

I hate going into this place. I love them to death, but I hate going in there, because I spend WAY too much money every time.
I recently found myself rounding out my Isaac Asimov collection and buying more Ray Bradbury books than I can possibly read. Not to mention the well priced Fitzgerald (I finished my Fitzgerald collection with them recently) and more Hemingway books than I can keep up with. Not to mention their biography and criticism section.
This bookstore truly is an amazing place in this town, full of everything that we, as literary people, could ever need.
I stopped going in, simply because I wanted to stop spending more money than I should. This is the best bookstore it town.
EDIT: I’m just saying that they have so many awesome books that it’s too easy to spend money. Anyone looking for books should stop here! They have more of most genres than almost any other store in the twin cities

Avoid. Has no clue what he has in stock or does not keep well track of it. And when he discovers his mistake in stock level, he tells some fantasy story that a stock item you wanted, which he advertises, just got sold at the same moment you wanted it! What a coincidence!

I love old used bookstores. This place is great.
If you’re looking for something specific, ask them to check their database since trying to find a book in this place can be a little difficult. But that’s what makes it charming. Love it!

This place is so old and dirty and cramped with books. One can only imagine what the owners house looks like. he gives very little in payback for books and then charges almost the cover price for his books. There is no place to sit anywhere and the store is so disorganized it is a joke. He is only in business so many years because there are alot of book worms at ISU and it is a college town. The store should be condemmed and if this is any indication of typical independent owned bookstores, I can see why Borders and Barnes put so many out of business.

A usedbook store that is a throwback to another era.
You walk in and you get swamped with books. Sorted by topic, it’s not too hard to find what you are looking for, though specific books may be hard to get. What is easy though is to get sucked up into buying unnecessary books as your eyes start to wander to other topics. Gay Issues in Russia? sure i’ll get that 20 buck book. Egyptian Sculpture? there goes ten bucks
What I’m getting at here, you can spend hours on end in here perusing through the sections and not be asked to leave. The prices are moderate and penciled in the front inside cover– possibly leaving you some wiggle room?
Very recommendable.