The 10 Best Art Bookstores in Chicago

With fall passing and winter on its way, there's nothing like curling up with a book, especially if it has pictures. If you follow our site, you know that we love art books in particular, but sometimes these aren't always best found online. The experience of going to a bookstore, engaging with the community there, or attending lectures there can be a nice routine. Many bookstores host lectures and carry out-of-print titles, so they're definitely worth visiting in-person. Whether you're in the Chi or not, check out The 10 Best Art Bookstores in Chicago to get inspired by the awesome work these shops do.

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Location: 1203 West Bryn Mawr Avenue Chicago, IL 60660

Alchemy Arts specializes in occult supplies including herbs, mystical oils, stones, incense, tarot cards, and books. You'll find books on becoming a solitary practitioner or how to be a ghost hunter, but don't be surprised when you come across more obnoxious items like wolf's blood for sale.

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Location: 1564 North Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60622

Myopic Books is one of Chicago's oldest and largest used bookstores, located in Wicker Park. The store's bookshelves, containing over 80,000 volumes, occupy three floors, and cover subjects including art, architecture, music, film, philosophy, science, fiction, mythology, sci-fi, local interest, and more. The store also hosts resident cat Leonard, who may catch you if you don't respect the store's no cell phone policy.

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Location: 1712 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201

Bookman's Alley has been a popular used bookstore located in downtown Evanston for 32 years. In December 2011, the store's owner has announced that the store will be closing, saddening many fans of the store and of literature. The store has remained open in the meanwhile, but the owner has not changed his mind though he is open to the idea of selling the store.

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Location: 2523 North Kedzie Blvd. Chicago, IL 60647

City Lit, which just opened earlier this year, is an independently owned bookstore that aims to become a place for interaction amongst a community of booklovers. The space is meant for conversation and sharing, mainly on the topic of literature, and includes comfortable chairs and a fireplace. The store's selection includes sections of banned books, manga, indie, cookbooks, and a full wall of Spanish literature.

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Location: 714 South Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60605

Sandmeyer's is a mom-and-pop shop that has been family-owned and operated since 1982. Their collection features new releases, travel guides, old favorites, and children's books, while subjects range from religion and mystery to dieting and gardening. There is also a specialized section on Chicago, which includes books on local history and those by local authors.

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Location: 715 S. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60605

Printer's Row is the oldest antiquarian and rare bookshop in Chicago. The store has classics in world literature, philosophy, and the natural sciences, making it a haven for bibliophiles. You can find books signed by authors, books published as early as in the 18th century, and many other rare selections at this store, where you have to be buzzed in to enter.

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Location: 1854 West North Avenue Chicago, IL 60622

Quimby's Bookstore sells small press and independently published books, comics, zines, and goods. Many of the items are on consignment, and anyone can offer up their items for sale. The store's founder opened Quimby's with the vision to promote any publication that is cool, bizarre, dope, surreal, weird, or anything along those lines. Quimby's has a sister store relationship with Chicago Comics, and the two often exchange stock and collaborate for off-site events.

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Location: 220 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago Store features books on architecture, design, fashion, literature, culture, and theory. Their book selection also includes their own MCA publications, monographs, and prints related to current exhibitions. The store, as a museum store, also has many office, living, and fashion supplies available.

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Location: North: 2850 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60657, South: 1501 E. 57th St. Chicago, IL 60637, University Village (UIC): 1218 S. Halsted Chicago, IL 60607

Powell's Bookstores has three independent retail stores in Chicago, specializing in used, rare, and discounted books. With a focus on academic and scholarly books, Powell's offers a big range of volumes featuring subjects such as ancient and medieval history, philosophy, and theology. There are also many general interest books available including fiction, children's books, poetry, art, photography, and cookbooks. Each store has over a quarter million books in stock, and many of them can be searched through the bookstore's online inventory.

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Location: 111 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60603

The Art Institute of Chicago's museum shops offer a wide selection of gifts, jewelry, museum adaptations, and art books. The newer Modern Wing Shop offers pieces related to special exhibitions, and books on modern art, design, architecture, photography, and contemporary art and culture. All profits made from store merchandise are used to support the museum's programs.

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