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Bookman's Corner
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
2959 N Clark St(between Oakdale Ave & Wellington Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview
(773) 929-8298
- Nearest Transit:
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Wellington (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Diversey (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Belmont (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
36 reviews for Bookman's Corner
Review Highlights
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"Art, cookbooks, fiction, historical biographies, fashion..." In 7 reviews -
"...will walk in with a specific title in mind, but you'll..." In 3 reviews -
"It's such a treasure trove." In 6 reviews
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36 reviews in English
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Review from Katelyn E.
Chicago, IL
7/20/2011
Reading is one of my most favorite things to do and because I do it so often, I despise paying more than $5 for a book. Furthermore, there's just something about used books- call me crazy but I love having used books- it makes me feel like I discovered someone's old treasure. And if I was on a treasure hunt, X mark this spot!
This place is absolutely chaotic, books are "organized" (I'm using that term lightly) by genre (i.e, Spain, Civil War, fiction, etc), not by author or title, and if you're not careful, you'll get buried in a stack of books. And I'm pretty sure the owner sleeps here. He's great, super friendly, and is actually pretty knowledgeable about the "inventory".
All books are under $3 and there's always some deal going on that if it's been there for more than 6 months (he writes the date it came in on the corner), it's usually half half off. The owner adds them up on a piece of paper, adds some random tax in the figure, and viola...transaction complete!
I love this place so much. You can never go in here looking for something specific because trust me, you won't find it. But it's absolutely perfect for when you just want to browse and pick up some random books. The most perfect Saturday afternoon in Lakeview includes a stop here! -
Review from Anna B.
5/23/2011
This used book store is an absolute riot. Nothing is really "organized," so much as thrown on shelves and in piles. Better than the books, however, is the amazing owner. He holds multiple degrees and spends his days studying the books in his store. The man will talk your ear off and you will learn something every time.
One time when we talked he admitted that he was trying to get out of the used book business, but people keep dropping off things for him to sell. He essentially gives them away for this reason, hoping that he'll go out of business at some point. Evidently he's been following this practice for years, but so far no dice. He's still around!
I highly recommend this store on a lazy saturday afternoon. Definitely worth a gander! I mean, who doesn't want a coffee table book for $1, marked down from $2? -
Review from Betsy C.
Chicago, IL
10/8/2011
Since the demise of Borders, I've become an even bigger fan of local, privately-owned bookstores. I have been dropping in on Bookman's Corner since 2001, and it never, ever disappoints. You can hunt bargains for a cheap summer novel, or you can discover something that just seems totally unique and special. It is definitely a hunt, as previous posts have indicated, but I think that's part of the fun. Who needs a used bookstore that feels like a Borders? I just stopped in today and purchased three books (two in German, one a self-published book by an old professor of mine) for just $6.50. Aside from the deals, I always feel like I'm walking away with a real treasure.
I am always astounded by the variety here, particularly in Travel and foreign language books. These are typically overpriced and under-represented in most used bookstores that I've come across, but not so at Bookman's!
Another fun tip: there's almost always a box or two of free books outside the shop during off-business hours. I once picked up a novel written in 1920, set in Europe after the "Great War". For free, folks! I love this place. -
Review from Katie H.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2008
Every time I walk by this place I am struck by how chaotic it is. In between books crammed into every available space lay boxes, paper bags, old newspapers and god only knows what else. But when my husband and I decided we wanted to buy a stack of vintage tavel books to stack in our living room, I knew this place would be a goldmine.
This is not a place you come looking for a specific book. You will never find it. Sure, the shelves are labeled but you really can't tell where fiction ends and astronomy begins, and there is certainly no organizational structure within each section. Books are crammed on tall shelves and strewn haphazardly on chairs and boxes. And the cantankerous owner won't be much help either.
But if you come with some time to kill and an open mind, you will leave with some great finds. They have a lot of antique and rare books that are in great condition and very inexpensive. They also buy used books, but based on the rock-bottom selling prices, I don't think you get much.
We ended up with a huge stack of about 30 hardcover books, including a book of large aerial photos of Europe from the 70's and a 1930's South American travel guidebook, all for $65.Listed in: Pottery Barn style - Kmart…
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Review from Nilda R.
Chicago, IL
5/20/2008
I've never managed to walk out of here empty handed. There always seems to be exactly what I forgot I had been looking for in 20th century political economy.
I usually stay and pretend to browse cookbooks while eavesdropping on any conversation involving the man behind the desk. He's hysterically funny. -
Review from choong l.
Chicago, IL
1/9/2007
If your idea of a bookstore comprises a Starbucks, rows of magazines on every subject imaginable, larger-than-a-record-store-sized music section with listening stations and anemic shoppers sauntering between the bookshelves, Borders is a few blocks south of here along Clark Street. However, if you wanted to purchase a copy of 'Timeline' by Michael Crichton, John Irving's 'A Widow for One Year,' and 'Greatest Short Works of Mark Twain,' all for just $5.40, drop by Bookman's Corner. If you have 30 bucks to spare, keep going...
Inside Bookman's Corner, books of various states of use and wear are stacked up from floor to the rafters , where four rows of plywood bookshelves are crammed into a tiny space where the ceiling felt taller than how wide its floor space would be -- I think my livingroom area is bigger than the entire Bookman's Corner, actually. Although there are hand-scribbled signs in attempt to apply categorization to the heaps, the books are crammed into every available nooks, often in double rows (so that you'll have to sift between the first row to see the titles behind them) and on floors, window sills, and in front of the proprietor's counter -- actually, if you can imagine, the entire counter was buried in books. You feel like you're digging through someone's collection of odd books -- a pleasant departure from rather sterile shopping experience at mega-bookstores.
The place is a lot more crowded than you'd think-- on Saturday afternoons, there are usually readers and seekers almost standing shoulder to shoulder (actually, just unloading the passengers out of a full van here would most like achieve this effect), but by the serious titles they were holding in their arms, you know that these folks are bibliophiles who are about to walk away with an armful of goodies for unbelievably low prices.
A bargain hunter will walk in with a specific title in mind, but you'll enjoy yourself more just browsing the titles and picking whichever random volumn that tickles your fancy -- most of the books (at least used paperbacks) will be no more than 2-3 bucks, so you'll walk away with a small pile of books for the price of one new book in Borders.
You can pick up a couple of books here, catch a movie at the Century Landmark theater and grab a pint at Duke of Perth, all for the price of the same books purchased new. Definitely stop by! -
Review from Audrey T.
Chicago, IL
4/5/2007
This is the type of a store with ancient owners that runs it how they want to run it and to hell with fire codes and order. That also means this is the type of store that will eventually fall to the hands of gentrification, and will make a few disorderly-corner-bookstore-lovers furious, when it morphs into something else. I can just swear the place is (un)kept how it is for CHARM. Hell, it lured me in.
That being the case, go here when you have some time to waste and are not looking for anything in particular, before this place disappears forever. -
Review from Erich B.
Chicago, IL
11/21/2010
This place is a little daunting at first look, from outside its hard to believe there is any order at all to the store. Once you go inside you find out that it is actually very organized. The owner is very knowledgeable and polite. The prices and selection are the best in Lakeview/Wrigley.
Example:
I was looking for Harry Potter books 1-6.
Bookworks (next to Strange Cargo) didn't have any HP books. Book Leggers only had a few hard backs and wanted $15 a piece for them. Bookman's Corner had most of them, soft backs $3 and hard backs for $7. -
Review from Dan T.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2008
I pretty much do all my book shopping here. Birthdays and holidays? Yeah, I find stuff here for that too.
I agree with the other people, chaotic, unorganized, not the place to find a specific title, but simply amazing if you're interested in a subject and don't mind walking away with about 12 strange new things you never thought of for about $20.
This place is the reason I keep running out of shelf space. -
Review from Jass V.
1/17/2008
There was this amazing used bookshop in my hometown. I used to spend hours in its various nooks and crannies, reading and pretending that no one could find me. And while I no longer have the luxury of hours to spend there (not to mention the money for a plane ticket) I still think of the place fondly and visit whenever I go back.
Bookman's Corner reminds me of that childhood bookstore. I could easily imagine a 5 year old me being forgotten in one of the maze-like passages, eagerly inhaling the smell of old books and devouring lost knowledge.
This is a store for leisurely browsing (preferably on a rainy day) and perusal of old, out of date and thoroughly unnecessary books on topics that are as random as the shelving methods in here.
Time to spare? Rotten mood? Take a trip to the Bookman's Corner and spend an hour (or two) musing over forgotten volumes and old favorites. I guarantee you'll leave with a stack of books. -
Review from David R.
7/29/2008
This is my favorite used bookstore for browsing. The interior of the store is an unspeakable clutter, but if you have two hours free, spend it combing through the shelves here. There is plenty of great history; about a third of the dozens of history books in my personal collection came from this store. They aren't crappy, outdated history volumes like in some stores; these are books in mostly new condition published in the last decade.
Periodically, I used to take a little walking tour of Lakeview bookstores, and I always came here last because I could adjust how many "finds" I ended up buying by how much space/money I had left. No lie--I did this one year on my birthday and came out of here with ten books for less than $50. I emerged filthy and sweaty (no AC or fans), but it was a wonderful summer afternoon.
It's a shame that the fiction section isn't alphabetized, but then you'd miss the fun. You have to shift the first stack of books and examine the stack behind it. The paperback fiction shelves are two layers deep. There are plenty of gems back there because most people are too lazy to root.
The proprietor is my favorite of all the used-bookshop owners in Chicago, because he's just the right balance of cranky and warm. He also knows exactly what is in the store, so if you insist on coming in here looking for a specific title, just ask him. He also knows a ton about the history of publishing; it's fascinating to hear him tell stories.Listed in: Quod libros, quam breve tempus
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Review from Nell T.
Chicago, IL
7/29/2008
The owner says he specializes in history, but one look inside will tell you that specializing is not what he does. That's not to say that he doesn't have a great history selection, just that his art, music, fiction, cartoon, and local sections are also incredible. Don't be fooled by the chaos, John knows his stuff and his stock is extremely well-edited. You don't have to dig very far in to come up with something amazing, case in point: a coffeetable book of the art of Peter Greenaway.
All of the books have a date inside, and if it's been on the shelf for awhile, it's on sale.
I feel obligated to counter all of this "owner is nuts" stuff. He has fantastic stories, knows when and where all the best book fairs take place, has well-informed opinions on the history and contemporary state of booksellers and publishers in Chicago, and will happily discuss the titles you've selected (provided they interest him) and offer recommendations. -
Review from Dave C.
Chicago, IL
1/6/2009 2 photos
As far as used bookshops go, Bookman's Corner rules. I don't know this for a fact, but I'm pretty sure the only person who ever works the counter is the owner. I only say that because I've never seen anyone else there!
On entry, he'll ask you to check your bag if you're carrying one, which ends up being pretty convenient considering you'd probably knock everything over if you tried to carry it with you. The aisles are narrow & crooked, books are stacked on the floor & on top of books lining the tall, already jam packed shelves, & despite the shop not being very large, it's pretty easy to feel lost in book heaven.
If you're planning a surgical strike shopping outing, stay away. Everything is categorized, but the sheer quantity of printed goodness will likely have you spending more time than you want looking. Plus, in a place like this, it's hard not to get sucked in for some browsing pleasure. This is where I go when I want to spend a little time getting lost.
Oh, and the prices are almost always quite low! -
Review from Maxx C.
Washington, DC
11/1/2009
I really wanted to like this place, because the atmosphere was pleasant and the owner seems like a great old bookman.
But maybe my interests are too specialized, or the store's just too disordered -- I couldn't find anything I really wanted in a reasonable amount of time.
This store could easily be four stars if they just picked up the books off the floor once in a while -- there's plenty of space on the shelves, it's just not being used for some reason. -
Review from Andrew B.
Chicago, IL
5/24/2011
This place is a literary mess! But not in a bad way. It's just that there's about 10 aislesworth of books jammed into a tiny maze of 4 rows. And anything that didn't fit on the shelves is stacked on the floor, by the windows, or next to the cash register. Bookman's corner has everything from novels to encyclopedic reference books at very fair prices. The selection is great, and organization is non-existent, but the owner behind the counter will help you find anything as it seems like he memorized the placement of just about any book in the store.
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Review from Janet X.
6/6/2011
I used to think that Myopic Books was the craziest kook of a used book store I've ever been to... until I met Bookman's Corner. It was, admittedly, not exactly love at first sight. Loads of books are arranged helter-skelter on shelves, and many are just piled up on the floor. There are small ladders and step-stools everywhere. But once you can get past the strange organization system ("Occult" next to "Russian History", paperback fiction all the way in the back on eight shelving units), you will really grow to love browsing all the different sections. It also doesn't hurt that all the books are very reasonably priced, half-off for books that are older than a certain date. I walked out with two chick lit novels, a Dilbert book and a nonfiction book for $8.
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Review from Alexis K.
12/23/2008
Do not enter this place with a lot of stuff. It's a mess with crowds and crowds of books everywhere.
The books are in all in good condition, with some new books even. He has everything from Harry Potter to some books on sadomasochism. If you have the patience to browse around (and lungs to withstand the musty book smell), Bookman's Corner is worthwhile. -
Review from Julia W.
Chicago, IL
3/29/2009
I should preface this by saying that I am a bit of a neat freak. I prefer clean and organized, as to what Bookman's is, which is cluttered and messy as all hell. Needless to say, whenever I walk by, I must fight the incredible urge to go in and straighten up the joint.
I have gone in once or twice with a friend of mine. While she did find a few things, I definitely recall some digging. Literally. If we'd known better, we would have brought shovels.
Prices seem reasonable, and nearly every square inch of the place is covered with stacks of books so I have little doubt you'll find at least something. -
Review from Kriss S.
Chicago, IL
2/17/2009
I can come in here with 10 bucks and walk out with three or four books. All quality and all for a price that is reduced even from what they're marked as.
The level of books in this space is mindblowing and digging through the piles and piles of print make for an amazing treasure hunt. I can't say enough good things about this place. -
Review from Barbara S.
Chicago, IL
6/1/2011
Love it love it love it. For: the steals I've gotten in there. The people with whom I've had extemporaneous conversations when they saw what I was picking up or picking through. The ridiculous low prices for books. The wonderful musty "old book" smell. The jam-packed shelves that are "sort of" arranged. If you have ten bucks and want to treat yourself, get over there. If you are a person who wants everything neat and tidy, stay away, you will be frustrated. But the deals, OMG. And it is so much fun to meander through the racks.
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Review from Katarina X.
Chicago, IL
2/9/2009
Today my body is too heavy to move. My primary motivation to haul out of the apartment and into the frigid tundra outside was that I get paid today and that means one beautiful, glorious, marvelous thing: Books.
I have an abstract vision of a stack waiting to be accumulated and devoured.
I love this chaotic gem.
John behind the counter is a doll. I've been talking to him for years- it is quite possible he remembers my very first visit to Chicago at the tender age of fourteen when I stumbled thru these doors (liking the Books: Rare, Medium and Well Done sign on the window) and he commented on my hat. If not, know for sure he remembers the books purchased, because he asks about them. Art, cookbooks, fiction, historical biographies, fashion, even the dirtier stuff... He suggests alternatives but lets me have the fun of digging them out of the quiet, dusty stacks. We talk about the market. He asks about work.
Basically, he's pretty swell guy, though he looks gruff on the exterior. The guy you want to bring home for Mom and Santa Claus all in one. So be nice and turn your cell phone off, and if you are selling books to the man try to have a little heart and remember he has to eat too. Stay a while and if you see me trying to climb the rickety ladder for that Joyce on the top shelf you may just have a new friend.
P.S. John corrected me. It wasn't Joyce. It was Woolf. I told you he remembers...Listed in: Books Galore!, Cheap-@$$ Entertainment.
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Review from Colin S.
Omaha, NE
Updated - 12/27/2010
OK so I've decided this may be the best bookstore in the world. Awesome assortment of literature and a one of a kind ambiance combined with dirt cheap prices.
Listed in: Lakeview Shopping
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/9/2010
Cheap...cheap...cheap, I love bookstores like this. This place was a complete clusterfuck of… Read more »
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Review from Bill M.
12/30/2005 2 photos
It is a real surprise that a place like this can still exist in Lakeview. This place could be fun if you are just browsing around for a book. If you are looking specifically for any titles, it may be a tough go because the place looks about as organized as my home office.
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Review from Justin W.
Chicago, IL
3/22/2010
I think the danger factor of the old, overburdened, narrow aisles of books collapsing on top of you, crushing you instantly, only adds to the Indiana Jones like task of actually finding a book. For me this is a welcome adventure since I look for the joy of finding a hidden gem or long sought after book as the highlight of a used book store. If I wanted to walk in and grab book "X" and leave I would go down the street to a generic cookie cutter chain bookstore. The other beauty of this place is the friendly owner and high turnover of books. If you don't find what you like today chances are in a couple days it will be flush with new(old) books.
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Review from Cathy H.
New York, NY
3/10/2009
I've only been here once, but I loved it. It's what a used bookstore should be--crammed top to bottom with old books. I feels like going through the neglected attic of a lifelong booklover-grandparent. The books are, I think, cheaper than many used bookstores (my old paperback was a buck). Sadly, the selection's not awesome, the organization is...well, there's no organization (it's part of what makes the place so fun, but it's also really hard to find stuff if you're after something specific), and I think it closes pretty early.
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Review from Leigh K.
Chicago, IL
4/3/2006
I don't know why it's been years since I re-visited Bookman's Corner. It's such a treasure trove. Sure, you have to dig around a lot, but I came away yesterday with 12 new to me books. There is a deal going on right now, though I'm not sure for how long, where any book older than 1-1-06 is half off, which means you're getting the majority of books for $2 or less. It's unbelievable. I agree with Bill M's review. You can't go in there with a particular book in mind, but rather go there with some time to kill and you will find at least a couple of things that you didn't know that you were looking for.
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Review from Heather S.
Chicago, IL
8/5/2006
Love this place - I love coming here to browse around and find some neat unusual and typically cheap books. Its so cramped and completely filled with books. If you love books and finding old or new books you may have never heard of, this is the place.
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Review from Evann G.
Philadelphia, PA
8/10/2008
This is definitely the kind of bookstore I could spend a few hours in. Books stacked in front of books stacked on TOP of books on all the shelves; books stacked in front of the shelves and next to the shelves and all over the counters; books EVERYWHERE. On pretty much every topic you can imagine. For good prices! In no logical order that I could tell, at least not in the fiction section. Just wonderful. A classic used bookstore.
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Review from Lisa A.
3/12/2009
WARNING: If you don't think you can handle a messy place, or you have a slight OCD of a neat-tidy place -- then you might want to stay away from this bookstore! This was the first used bookstore I found when I moved to Chicago 10 months ago! Very crammed with lots of (sometimes dusty) old books. Since then I have found a few other used bookstores. Bookman is the one I go to when I have lots of time to kill and *in the mood* to go through piles and piles of old books. Their price is dirt cheap (the cheapest, compare to other used bookstores I've been to). That's also another reason why I keep on coming back. I also love the sign they have: Rare - Medium - Welldone. Always make me smile, for some odd reason. :)
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Review from A.S. V.
Chicago, IL
8/31/2005 2 photos
This place is a bit of a mystery. It was closed on a Wednesday afternoon, so I wasn't able to confirm its name even. The place is a disaster, with books piled everywhere. There are organized sections, but good luck in finding what you're looking for. The beauty of this place is the surprise finds. Something you're not expecting to find, that's always cheaper than the other places. Worth browsing when you can catch it open.
Listed in: Bibliophilia: Best Used…
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Review from Theresa D.
10/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
I personally really love this place and don't mind the stacks and stacks of books everywhere and somewhat unorganized convention of this place but if you're patient and can browse the stacks you can find some great books and for cheap. My recent find was "1,000 places to see before you Die" for $4. I actually bought this book as a gift for a friend in June and bought it for about $20 bucks at Borders so I was pretty happy to find a cheaper version of it for myself. I would definitely recommend checking this place out before jumping on a plane instead of doing an impulsive book purchase at the airport.
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Review from Matt P.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2010
Patience is a virtue with places like this ... and I guess the key is not shopping for a specific book, because you'd be in there for hours, as it literally looks like a bomb went off in your pack rat of grandmother's basement. There are times that you have to consider that you might be buried under a mound of books that fell on you, as the store is packed in ever direction with things ... the bad part is that NONE of it is organized. The good part is it's all cheap ... I walked out of there with 2 books for $3.
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Review from Dee W.
10/2/2005 2 photos
Don't bring your cell phone in here! Or at least don't answer it. This place is pretty messy with books piled all over the place. Sometimes, there are boxes outside with free books for the taking. If you really have the time to browse through here - you can find a cheap steal.
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Review from Jerimie M.
Chicago, IL
1/18/2009
allow yourself tons of time to enjoy this treasure of the city. if you can't handle controled chaos... then you best stay away. it is not the cleanest of used bookstores.
the owner is a great guy. rather friendly and somehow he knows what he has there.
i am always disappointed when i don't have the time to look around in his tight shop. -
Review from Blake H.
9/9/2010
okay so its a total mess. but who goes used book shopping with a) an absolute shopping list & b) the non-desire to dig around? honestly digging around for hours and finding some truly special treasure on the bottom shelf in the wrong section totally gets me off! loves it.
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Review from Em B.
Chicago, IL
1/19/2008
If you have an hour to kill, a hard-to-shop-for pal in need of a gift, a love for lit, or a hankering to see a crazy guy in action, go to Bookman's Corner. But don't expect to find anything you're looking for. It's similar to a thrift store, where you just go and see what you can find. It's fun. It's an adventure. I've found amazing editions and insanely cheap prices. But don't go in and ask for a copy of Bridget Jone's Diary, or the latest on Oprah's plug list. Because it's annoying. Enjoy the book finding journey! Also, the owner is just nuts. I think he sleeps behind the desk.
