Bibliophiles, rejoice!
Illinois is hiding a treasure trove of literary gems just waiting to be discovered.
From cozy barns to urban nooks, these 11 used bookstores are the perfect places to lose track of time and find your next great read!
1. Old Book Barn (Forsyth)
Imagine a place where books go to retire and live out their golden years in style.
That’s the Old Book Barn for you!
This green-painted haven in Forsyth is like a literary retirement community, complete with a welcoming “OPEN” sign that might as well say “Come on in, bookworms!”
The Old Book Barn isn’t just a store; it’s a time machine disguised as a building.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where the smell of old paper is more intoxicating than a fine wine.
The shelves are packed tighter than a subway car at rush hour, but trust me, you won’t mind the close quarters with these literary companions.
And let’s talk about that flower box out front – it’s like the store is saying, “We may deal in old books, but we’re not afraid of a little fresh growth!”
It’s the perfect metaphor for the reading experience itself: rooted in the past but always blooming with new possibilities.
2. The Book Nook (Peoria)
If books were superheroes, The Book Nook in Peoria would be their secret lair.
This unassuming brick building with its bold “BOOKS” sign is like a bat signal for bibliophiles.
It’s not trying to be flashy – it knows its superpower is what’s inside.
The Book Nook’s motto, “Great Books. Better Prices,” is like music to a bargain hunter’s ears.
It’s the kind of place where you walk in looking for one book and leave with an armful, a lighter wallet, and a much heavier to-read pile.
The store’s simplicity is its charm – no frills, just thrills in the form of page-turning adventures.
3. Prairie Archives (Springfield)
Step into Prairie Archives in Springfield, and you’ll feel like you’ve wandered onto the set of a quaint bookshop movie.
With its charming storefront and vintage vibe, it’s the kind of place where you half expect to bump into Meg Ryan or Hugh Grant around every corner.
This isn’t just a bookstore; it’s a time capsule of “Paper Americana” and “Antiquarian” treasures.
The sidewalk displays are like a literary buffet, tempting passersby with a smorgasbord of bound delights.
And that red brick exterior? It’s not just a wall; it’s a gateway to countless worlds waiting to be explored.
4. Bookie’s (Chicago)
Bookie’s in Chicago is the kind of place that makes you want to cancel all your plans and spend the day getting lost in its stacks.
With its eye-catching black awning and stone facade, it’s like the cool kid of bookstores – effortlessly stylish but totally approachable.
The store’s logo, featuring a whimsical snowflake-like design, is as unique as the reading experiences you’ll find inside.
And let’s appreciate the clever name – Bookie’s sounds like it could be a cozy pub where literature lovers gather to debate the merits of Hemingway versus Fitzgerald over a pint.
5. The Book Cellar (Chicago)
The Book Cellar in Chicago is proof that books and beauty can coexist in perfect harmony.
With its inviting storefront and lush flower boxes, it’s like the bookstore equivalent of a warm hug.
The neon “OPEN” sign in the window is practically winking at you, daring you to resist its charms.
This isn’t just a place to buy books; it’s a community hub where stories come alive.
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The sidewalk planters bursting with colorful blooms are a perfect metaphor for the store itself – a place where ideas flourish and imaginations bloom.
It’s the kind of spot where you could easily while away an afternoon, sipping coffee and getting lost in a good book.
6. Afterwords Books (Edwardsville)
Afterwords Books in Edwardsville is the Clark Kent of bookstores – unassuming on the outside, but a superhero of literature on the inside.
Housed in a charming yellow house with a welcoming porch, it’s like visiting your coolest aunt who happens to have an amazing book collection.
The store’s sign, with its rainbow of book spines, is a promise of the colorful literary adventures that await inside.
And let’s talk about that porch – it’s practically begging you to grab a book, settle into a rocking chair, and while away the hours in bookish bliss.
Who needs a man cave when you can have a book cave?
7. The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn (Glen Ellyn)
The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn is like the Mary Poppins’ bag of bookstores – practically perfect in every way and seemingly able to fit an endless supply of literary treasures.
With its regal blue awning and classic storefront, it’s a bibliophile’s dream come true.
The window display is a feast for the eyes, with books, balloons, and beach balls creating a carnival of literary delights.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to cancel your plans, call in “well” to work (because you’re just too darn happy to be sick), and spend the day exploring its shelves.
8. Unabridged Bookstore (Chicago)
Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago is the rebel of the bookstore world – it refuses to be confined by boring conventions like, say, not displaying books on the sidewalk.
With its bold black exterior and enticing window displays, it’s like the rock star of the literary world.
The “EAT SLEEP READ LOCAL” banner is less of a suggestion and more of a life philosophy.
It’s the kind of place where you go in for a quick browse and emerge hours later, blinking in the sunlight, wondering where the day went and how you ended up with an armful of books you didn’t know you needed.
9. The Book Bin (Northbrook)
The Book Bin in Northbrook is like that friend who always has the best recommendations – reliable, welcoming, and full of surprises.
Its simple storefront belies the wealth of literary treasures waiting inside.
The bench out front isn’t just seating; it’s an invitation to sit and sample your new literary acquisitions.
With its patriotic touch of American flags, The Book Bin reminds us that reading is as American as apple pie – only with fewer calories and more brain food.
It’s the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time, emerging hours later with a stack of books and a satisfied smile.
10. Roscoe Books (Chicago)
Roscoe Books in Chicago is the cool, sophisticated cousin in the family of bookstores.
With its sleek exterior and tree logo, it’s like the zen garden of the literary world – calm, inviting, and promising inner peace through the power of a good book.
The store’s large windows offer a tantalizing glimpse of the literary wonders within, like a real-life version of the Mirror of Erised for book lovers.
It’s the kind of place where you go to find a book and end up finding yourself – or at least a new favorite author.
11. Jane Addams Book Shop (Champaign)
The Jane Addams Book Shop in Champaign is like stepping into a literary time machine.
Housed in a beautiful stone building with a classic green awning, it’s a bookstore with character – both architectural and literary.
Named after the renowned social reformer, this shop carries on Jane Addams’ legacy of enlightenment through its vast collection of books.
It’s not just a store; it’s a piece of history where every book tells a story beyond its pages.
The bike parked outside seems to say, “Park your worries at the door and pedal your way through countless adventures inside.”
So there you have it, fellow book lovers – 11 reasons to gas up the car, charge your e-reader (ironic, I know), and embark on the ultimate Illinois bookstore adventure.
Happy reading!