Booklegger's Used Books
Category: Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lakeview2907 N Broadway St
(between Oakdale Ave & Surf St)
Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 404-8780
- Price Range: $$
13 Reviews for Booklegger's Used Books
Booklegger's has a pretty good selection of used books, and they seem to be a bit more organized than most places. This may be due to the store's smaller size, however. I personally like looking through the old classic children's literature. There is some interesting stuff in there. The poetry section is pretty weak though, and so is the philosophy section, in case you're looking for something in those areas because you're a dork like me.
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I come here when I'm seeking a specific title in fiction/literature. I also browse through the history section, although it's a little dark back there and I have a bum eye. The other reviewers are right about the high level of cleanliness and organization. That seems to come through in the prices, which are about $1-2 more than they should be.
Overall, this is a great store that ranks in my top three used bookstores in Chicago. I often make this the middle stop in a one-two-three combination afternoon with the nearby Soup Box and Bobtail ice cream shop. That is a little slice of Chicago heaven.
I love this bookstore! The owners are always nice and very helpful. The books are reasonably priced, and I have never had any trouble finding what I was looking for.
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I give this two stars because it has books in it and I like books and they do keep them organized. I really don't make it past the cart outside anymore. I'm not sure who this friendly guy is at the counter that I keep hearing about. The owner kicked me out of the store once. I think his reasoning was that I looked like I was going to steal something??? but really I think it was related to the disgusted look he shot at me when i came in holding hands with my gf. Whatever the reason, I have been in there many times and never had a pleasant experience with him. He reminds me of the cat lady from the simpsons that shakes her fist and says " get off my lawn".
I have delt with many crotchity used book store owners, I think it comes with the territory, often it seems like they'd rather keep a book than have it go to a bad home.
I'd really never go here again if i didn't suffer from a combination of pulp fiction fever and book browsing addiction
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This store is exceptionally well curated. Used-book lovers know how important that is. However . . .
The idea of having to deal with the somewhat smug man who usually is behind the counter puts me right off of even imagining going back to this store. Once I was there and a friendly man was selling some books. The curator, mumbling to himself, said a few unclear words that made it seem like he was not done processing the customer's order. The customer said, "Are we all set, then?" and the curator snidely dripped, "YES, YOU GOT YOUR MONEY!" as if the poor guy selling books was some sort of chiseler.
Because the place is so well curated, I cannot give it 2 stars. But any chance at more than 3 is ruined by the curator's demeanor.
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This is an incredibly neat and well-organized used book store. I can almost always find what I'm looking for here, whether it's a recent release that I'm finally getting around to, or the classics that I should have read sooner. I've also had pretty good success finding the selections for my book club here. The guy behind the counter is very friendly and good for suggestions if you ask.
Well organized selection of used books.. Very easy to peruse the shelves..Amazing selection of Chicago-centric books, too! I've been lucky enought to experience those "right time/right place" moments here many times over. Whether I happened to walk by the push cart of $1 books on the sidewalk and I found that book I've been wanting to get caught up in...or I go in and ask the owner if he has such and such and it just happens that he just got them in today! Does that happen anywhere else?
Booklegger's is like my meth. I'm here almost weekly trying to get a new fix..Thankfully my teeth won't fall out. Although I do believe I'm starting to loose my eyesight from all the reading in a dark bus that I do.
Booklegger's is another one of the reasons that I love living in a cosmopolitan city. It's rare to find such a quality store which offers such great finds at amazing prices. I like to donate books that I've gotten all I can out of them to Booklegger's.. At least I know they will find themselves another good home..
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This place is really...clean. Sterile. Not really aware that to have an effective used-book-seller vibe, you must stop swiffering the floor all the time. Tommy A is right: that main guy is a total tool. I went in once and stood at the counter, meaning to ask about job openings (thank God that never worked out!), and he was on the phone. He saw me there, did nothing to help me, and pretty much pretended I wasn't there. He was on a personal phone call. I was a potentially paying customer. I waited around for five minutes before leaving. Jerk.
A few months later, I went in and asked after any Cormac McCarthy books. A slightly less snide guys asked, "Did you try Borders?" Um, no guy. I was trying to support small businesses and save a buck. Ass.
i love this place. the owner has a few carts outside with $1 books and i literally found around $200 worth of text books for courses for $4. Seriously, i price checked at amazon afterwards.
I'm a sucker for cramming my apartment with used books, they have character. and this place is perfect for that.
the owner is amazingly helpful and pretty much knows where everything is, so if you can't find something, be sure to ask.
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This is one of Chicago's top used bookstores, not just because of its selection, but because it's so dang neat, clean and well organized! It can get tiresome sorting through shelves and shelves of books that are dusty and not even in order. This place is great to pop in and spend a few seconds looking for a particular title, or taking your time to browse. Prices can be somewhat higher than average, but if you get what you want and don't have to pay full price at a Border's or Barnes & Noble, it's worth it.
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Its insane I am the one that keeps having to add the used bookstores in chicago! Someone else needs to pick up the slack!
Of course I have elected myself mayor of used bookstores so who better than me to write about it.
Anyways, this place is far more organized than selected works which is a few blocks north on broadway. Also, youre more likely to find newer books here at bookleggers.
The prices are a little steeper here but still extremely reasonable. Youre more likely to find better hardbacks, art books, and if you are looking for something specific, go here.
I'm a browser and a digger. Thats my MO so its more fun for me to dig through selected works but I have found some surprising gems here at bookleggers too including a biography of my favorite writer Somerset Maugham (who knew his sex life was so happening?)
The owner and apparantly only employee (he's always there) is very knowledgeable and helpful and lets you wander and skim to your hearts content.
so I would recommend this to book collectors, readers, and people wanting to beef up their shelves to look smart.
SAVE TREES! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL USED BOOKSELLER!
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Yum! Used books and a very friendly gentleman at the counter. They were very helpful in finding the book I needed and appear to have some killer taste in pulp novel covers. This is where I will be going for all my book club books from now on. Thank you used books and thank you Booklegger's! I too salute your organization! (This is the secret to get people back into used book stores and not just the major chains.)
I like to browse this store. It is large with a huge selection of books. It is actually organized too compared to a lot of other used book stores. makes finding what you are looking for easy. Even if you arent looking for anything in particular, just browse and something will catch your eye.
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