Indie bookstore #3

Bookworks
3444 N. Clark
Chicago, IL
(773) 871-5318

In pursuit of my books for classes next month, I've been searching used bookstores near and far and went into the heart of Wrigleyville this past weekend to a recent favorite of mine: Bookworks. Not atypical of an urban used bookstore, Bookworks is cramped--and crammed--but they have a wonderful selection and a helpful and friendly staff. They buy used books, sell CDs, are open late, and are in a great, stimulating location in the Lakeview neighborhood. (If you're looking for a snack, head a block south on Clark to Pick Me Up, my favorite all-night cafe and diner.) I wasn't able to find the rare-ass books my professors have assigned, but I enjoyed a rainy Saturday morning much more than I would have at home.

Printers Row

Good morning! I have been a delinquent blogger for far too long, probably due to the struggles I'm having with Lolita and a slight decrease in my amount of free time. Regardless, I come bearing updates!

1.) I've decided to include on this blog a few tales of another exploit I've had marinating for a little while now: an exploration of Chicago's independent bookstores! Partially inspired by Printers Row, I've realized how few bookstores I've been to in the city and I want to remedy that this summer. I'm making a list of ones catered to my interests (leaving out, for example, bookstores selling exclusively histories of the American military--of which I've encountered more than a few) off of Centerstage Chicago and Newcity Chicago. The blog paper moustache was devoted to checking out indie bookstores, but it hasn't been updated in three years, so I figure my adventures are fair game.

2.) I started taking a class at the Newberry Library called "A People's History of Chicago, 1880-1960." We're reading historical fiction about different eras of Chicago's history, so Sister Carrie, The Jungle, and Native Son have been added to my reading list.

3.) The Maze Branch of the OPPL hosted a discussion of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, so of course I had to go. Thumbs up to the pretzels and lemonade, thumbs down to the four old ladies who didn't finish the book because they couldn't read the footnotes.

4.) Finally, PRINTERS ROW! It's been a whole week, I know, but, to be honest, I had sort of forgotten about my responsibilities as a member of the literary blogosphere.

Despite the dreary, chilly, rainy day, I spent all day Saturday browsing the tents--from 10 am to 6 pm. I left with 2/3 of the books necessary for class ($7.00 total), two pristine Didion books (one for a gift), and some very, very cool old letterpress blocks. I heard Dave Eggers speak and met him at the signing that followed. I worked the 826CHI tent for a couple of hours and went home satisfied, with just a touch of hypothermia.