It’s National Library Week through April 25 — which is coincidentally Independent Bookstore Day! There’s an official crawl across Chicagoland.
However, our recs on where to find and read books in Chicago are timeless.
Our Favorite Libraries
City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is on a mission to hit all of Chicago’s public libraries before the 82nd opens at the Obama Center in June. He’s covered ground, hitting over half so far — here are his recs.
🏛️ Best building: Blackstone Branch in Hyde Park
Chicago’s oldest public branch, Blackstone, looks like it could sit on Museum Campus. It's got impressive columns and a dome with historic paintings of classical scenes.
- Also unique: The modern Chinatown and Northtown branches
🎨 Best mural: Edgewater Branch
Stretching across the building’s entire facade, Edgewater’s mural nicely frames the library sign. A colorful upgrade!
- Honorable mentions: Murals at the Merlo, Greater Grand Crossing, Bessie Coleman, and Little Village branches.
🧑🏫 Best staff: Legler Regional Branchin West Garfield Park
Legler Regional is a big, busy branch, and the staff is attentive through all the hustle and bustle. Employees walked Jacoby through the library’s public art and food pantry.
- Bonus shoutout: Branch manager Valerie Carter of the Bessie Coleman Branch 💕
Bookie’s Chicago in Beverly is on this year’s Indie Bookstore Day list. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Our Favorite Bookstores
🎉 Best Party: Da Book Joint in South Shore
Da Book Joint boasts plenty of social events every month. This Saturday, cap off Indie Bookstore Day with a mixer from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
🍷 Best Beverages: The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square
Indie bookstores are undeniably romantic. Take the fantasy one step further at The Book Cellar with a glass of pinot noir. Their cafe (and patio!) is a longstanding Lincoln Square social hub.
💸 Best Deal: Open Books in Pilsen and West Loop
Non-profit Open Books recently closed its Logan Square location (RIP), but Chicagoans can still score great deals in Pilsen and West Loop. The stores sell used books, plus like-new books at similarly cheap prices.
✍️ Best Place to Meet a Writer: Secret World Books in Highland Park
As Secret World Books celebrates its two-year anniversary, I want to shout out Owner Gayle Brandeis, who has published nine books. I also know she’s a fabulous writing teacher — she was mine!
🚶🏼♀️ Best Stretch: Hyde Park to South Shore
Read and Run is hosting multiple crawls this Saturday. Each sounds fun, but we think their South Side crawl has it all, hitting Call & Response Books, Seminary Co-op, 57th Street Books, Powell's Books, and Build Coffee and Books.
