Powell's Books

Powell's Books is an amazing place for any lover of books, from casual reading to deeper philosophical texts. The service is excellent, but the real draw of the store is the amazingly low prices of books. The only drawback of the store is its disorganized format, though it makes a search for a book seem like an enjoyable treasure hunt. Be sure to check out the Bargain Basement for some great deals also!

PROS: Amazing prices
CONS: Disorganized

Powell's is one of the finest used book stores I have ever been to, absolutely bar none. Thanks to the U of C population, it has amazing selections of used scholarly books, as well as cutouts and remainders from academic presses. They also sell used fiction in all genres, downstairs in the basement. They are fantastic across the board; special comment is reserved for the exceptional philosophy section, which I've never seen anything like. Excellent selections in music, both books of music and books about music. Classics section always has editions of original texts and books on literature and history. There's often a giveaway box outside. Not to be missed!

Powell's Bookstore has nearly any book or subject of interest that you can think of. If it is not located in one of the three Chicago branches, then you can probably find it at their online store.

The prices of the books are affordable even for the swarm of university students who frequently buy and sell their books with the store. The staff is courteous and helpful and willing to either purchase or take your unwanted books off of your hands for you. If they cannot sell them, unlike other businesses, they place the books outside in front of the store to be given away for free. This shows that the people at Powell's Bookstore really love books and allowing people access to books.

The Hyde Park branch is the largest and best equipped of the three Chicago branches and has a better selection because of its proximity to the University of Chicago. Books can be purchased for as little as one dollar to as much as twenty dollars, paperback and hard cover alike.

If you want to take the sting out of rising book costs for used books that are in excellent condition and some new books, venture over to Powell's Bookstore and take a look around.

PROS: One of the best selections of excellent condition books around
CONS: