Fairly large and very densely stocked bookstore (closely packed bookshelves reaching up quite high to the ceiling), I think with mostly used books. They may carry new books as well, but it's a little hard to tell because most of the used books are in _very_ good condition and difficult to distinguish from new. Prices are really good; I bought a number of large used books in extremely good condition for prices that were probably 1/3 to 1/4 what I would have paid new. Because it's a used book store, they have a lot of stuff that probably isn't in print, but at the same time the selection is a bit more random (they have so _many_ books that this isn't as big as an issue as one may think). Books are organized into fine-grained categories, which is great if you're browsing for similar, but can be a little confusing if you're not quite sure into which category. There's no online or in-store catalog of books, but the the staff are very, very, knowledgeable, and generally could direct me to where I could fine what I was looking for.

Been going here for a handful of years and it is definitely my favorite bookstore within the city of Chicago. Large selection and variety, organized well, overall good employees, and AMAZING prices for basically brand new/gently used books anywhere from 20 to 70 percent off depending on condition. Every time I go I end up spending over an hour that flys by. They even have a section for comics and a section for antique books held in glass cases but you can see their spines inches from your face so you know what youd like the employees to pull out for you. As a bonus, cafes and coffee shops nearby as well as the lake a handful of blocks away. Worth noting that due to covid 19, they are not letting patrons inside but you can call or go to Powell's website to buy and pick up books from this location. Happy Reading!

I visited this bookstore in the past and it was NOT a warm welcoming experience. Today I brought in some used books to sell and I was asked to wait because another customer was ahead of me. Ok, no problem. The store clerk took his time and looked through each of the ladies books. At the end of her transaction he offered her a choice of store credit or cash (72$). Then he asked to look at my books and briefly looked at the title of one or two and expressed they they don't take paperback etc. He dismissed the rest of the books in my bag and said he won't be able to take them. Really? It's a book store??? I then asked him if he would just keep them and donate them; again, NO we don't do that.. The previous customer was an older white lady... Not sure if that was a correlation but thought I would add all context.

Prices are not the best (usually a few bucks cheaper than their online counterpart, however, and you can buy their tote bag or t-shirt to receive further discount) but the selection is truly exceptional. You are most likely to hit upon an academic title in your area and in mint condition. It is not easy to find a particular book, though, due to the sheer amount of books they have, and some of the books do not seem to be in the right category. But that's the fun of simply browsing and getting lost in a quality used bookstore. One more reason to love Chicago.

Only the best bookstore in the country. No joke. I've moved away and return each time I visit. Wonderful selection, prices, and a truly organic browsing experience - stand on a ladder with a coffee from a shop down the street and flip through interesting books you didn't know existed. Good off-beat fiction section, solid philosophy collection and a wonderful wall of science books - all intuitively organized! My favorite bookstore. Nothing has beat it yet.

I found a cookbook I'd been looking for for $20 less than the market price, and it is in perfect shape! They have a huge amount of books in many different categories to choose from. They also have cool deals where you can get 20% off if you wear a shirt from them or use one of their canvas bags. The basement is currently under construction, so this limited a few of the book genres they have, but that didn't inhibit my satisfaction with this place.

I love independent book stores and this was a very nice one. It's clean, organized, and has good lighting. The workers were very nice and helpful. For me, what really makes a book store for me is when the workers actually have a good, working knowledge about literature; these workers definitely had that. On the shelves, they had recommendations for books with detailed synopses. Oh, and when I was there, there was a cute cat just hanging out :)

I loved this store, I plan to go back again. I found wonderful books I need for work, professional development, and spiritual development as well. The only drawback is parking. Only Street parking and many one way streets. The store is near a college campus and it is known for high traffic areas. But it's not far from Lake Shore Drive and Museum of Science and Industry. Thank you for having such a great selection and prices.

A very wide selection. Online inventory does not match in store inventory but there is so much to sift through. Totally worth the visit. Workers are nice and know what they are talking about. Easy to miss when getting there. Local store that will ship to home from local warehouse. Their books are affordable. I went in for one book and came out with three. This happened after I talked myself out of four other books.

Very nice neighborhood bookstore. Well stocked, well organized, knowledgeable staff, and great prices. The only negative is that they don't maintain an inventory so they can't lookup anything on a computer. You just have to peruse the shelves, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. These types of businesses are great personality enhancers for neighborhoods, and Powell's definitely adds to the fabric of Hyde Park.

The best philosophy section of any bookstore I've ever been to. An entire wall, floor to ceiling, of academic level books (and a few pop philosophy ones). All the familiar names, Adorno to Wittgenstein, and more. Best topics (in no order): ethics, phenomenology, epistemology, existentialism. There is a separate philosophy of Science section which is just ok. Philosophy of math, or logic, was absent.

Great place to browse for hidden gems among a large used book selection. Powell's has many varieties of texts: they've got a decent fiction nook and sections for nearly every academic field. If you go expecting to find something specific, you may be disappointed... especially if you're looking for a more recent publication. Go with an open mind and let the books find you instead.

Got so excited to learn there was a Powell's here in Chicago I made the trek from Glenwood to the city! I couldn't believe we had a bookstore open until 11pm. I almost got a ticket from Illinois State Police on The Ryan in the process! Then I get there and the staff was courteous, professional and knowledgeable on every book I was looking for. Can't wait to go back!

This is a literary high minded book store and buddy it also had the best got dang curated used collection I have ever found. Wall to Wall platinum tier books every where you go. You know how many times I walk into a book store and they have maybe one but most likely none! Italo Calvino? This place had like five and kobo Abe and Ursula k leguin! Go here you dummy!

Came in after getting a recommendation form a friend of mines. I had somewhere to be, but I was early & in the neighborhood so I thought I'd kill some time there. I hated that I couldn't spend more time in there. I loved the huge selection of writers & how easy it was to locate the different genres. Can't wait to go back, will DEFINITELY get a few reads!

Powell’s Books has maintained an exceptional selection, fair prices and a staff of knowledgeable folks for many decades. Do yourself a favor and check out Chicago’s best bookstore if you’re anywhere in the area. It’s like a library where you can buy all the things! Particularly good for academic reads and out-of-print books that can be hard to find.

My favorite book store in Chicago. It's a great place to sell your books back. They will pay you good money for good books you otherwise might have thrown away. I purchased the biography of Beethoven here for a very good price.Then, after you get money from selling your books, you can go just about anywhere for take out dim sum!

Online order fulfilled for Barnes and Noble . Powell books did not send book I ordered. Different cover. They were “sorry “. I could return book but they could not send me the book I ordered. And was pictured in the order confirmation . They shipped it out and only took 12 days to get to me. I will order elsewhere from now on .

The prices are amazing. As a used bookstore they might not have the exact title you're looking for, but it is a well-curated selection for every discipline. I was unable to find a section on systems theory/cybernetics-- I swear there used to be-- but I did find a relevant book in the ecology section, and it is fun to browse

I can't express how much I love this bookstore, I was visiting the city as a tourist and stepped into this bookstore our of random interest, then I spent my whole afternoon there. Got some photography book surprisingly, the people are also nice. I asked for some gifts recommendation and it turns out my friend loved it!

Need to search books and it consumes your time. If you want to pick any book but not a particular book I strongly recommend. But if you are going for a particular Theological book, better be prepared for disappointment. Staff are very cordial and will assist but absence of catalog makes things difficult.

I love this place, and miss it since it closed for covid safety. Their greek history and classical lit sections are great, and their philosophy section would make most college library's look small in comparison. So many good values on rare books, and books you'd otherwise only find on a college campus.

For used books in Hyde Park, this is your go-to place. The selection is a bit uneven (as you might expect), but is fairly strong in the fields of history, art and the social sciences, including linguistics. Prices are not great, but reasonable, and in my experience the staff are uniformly helpful.

I visit whenever I’m in the area. The last time I went, I found a lot of interesting titles for a good price. If you’re a book lover, this is definitely a great place to go if you’re on the South Side. The staff here are very polite and genuinely seem interested in helping you find what you want.

Great selection of books, was not looking for anything on particular with my family yet we spent an hour browsing and each of us found reading material, from black fantasy, to DeSpinoza to young teen and comics. Highly recommend when near Hyde Park in Chicago. Staff was helpful and kind.

Beautiful book received today. Unbelievably helpful staff at the store, and also at the warehouse. Kristin at the warehouse is really top notch…so pleasant, helpful and efficient…she got my book from Chicago to Montreal in less than 24 yours! Good people, good books. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I bought a book from this shop via AbeBooks.com. The book was supposed to be used but in "new condition". What I received was a brand new book. Pristine like it just came out of the printers. Wonderful service with confirmation emails and shipment emails. Thank you.

Great place to browse. Staff are friendly and leave you to explore on your own but are there to assist when you need it. I love the stepladders around the store to help you reach the books near the ceiling. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to browse.

The quintessential used bookstore. Spend 10 minutes in here, and you are guaranteed to find something special and worth buying. Amazing collections of books on every subject, and very reasonable prices. A Hyde Park institution that I hope never disappears.

Wonderful used book store, floor to ceiling books, and no inventory but the type of exciting where you never know what you'll find! And prices are incredible. Can also tell a lot of the books are donated by UChicago students: wonderful philosophy section.

New and used books with an academic flavor. This is a great place to wander into and browse around. You're sure to learn something and likely to find an interesting book to take home. Great prices, especially given that a lot of the books are academic.

If you're from Portland, Ore., you might find yourself wondering whether this is really a Powell's Books, it's so tiny (: plus even the basement was closed when we went. Still loved it, on account of the great inventory at genuinely affordable prices

Incredible store. A used bookstore usually reflects its surrounding intake and boy does this one not disappoint--I frequent a lot of bookstores as an artist and this has to be some of the largest compendiums of art, rare and overstock books

Very good used bookstore with a focus on academic and scholarly books. You can also search their inventory and purchase their books on the the AbeBooks website. Their section of the Abe website includes 200+ curated collections of books on

Powell’s is a terrific book store. It’s a real gem for Hyde Park! Prior to Covid-19 I’d visit the shop every so often. I’m into fashion history and photography books and Powell’s always has quite a selection. Definitely buy from Powell’s!

Studied at the university and worked for the medical center but only just visited this bookstore. Great, knowledgeable staff and a great organization of genres and authors. Great prices and selection will undoubtedly bring me back soon.

They did have a good selection of middle grade and young adult books. But if you are looking for fantasy or sci-fi, look elsewhere! Two small shelves was the extent. But if you are looking for non-fiction this would be a great place.

Oh my gosh, I really wish I had a Powells near me in New Jersey. The selection of books is vast, and their prices are cheap. I walked out with 3 books, msrp was 70 or so usd, I only ended up paying 17 usd. I was super satisfied!

Great selection of books, exceptionally well organized. Reasonably priced as well. Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. We are from out of town and today was our first visit, it certainly will not be our last.

I introduced some friends to this amazing bookstore. Several books ended up being purchased. There is an amazing range of academic books, both used and surplus overflow that can be purchased at greatly reduced prices.

Every time I get to Chicago I hit this bookstore. I always come away with at least one title. Whatever you are interested in, you can find it on the shelves. Best bookstore (used or new) I have ever been in, period.

What a great place to explore. So many books, so many areas of interest, b it was hard not to buy too many things. Well organized and ready to browse. If you love old books, or new ones, this is the place to go m

University of Chicago legend, in business for 50+ years. Lots of hard-to-find titles, and lots of great prices on books you've purchased at retail rates, but you have to poke around for a while...it's worth it.

They don’t buy any of UChicago’s philosophy or politics books. Also, they don’t take any highlighted books. I carried 25 books there in the rain and they refused to take any. Such a waste of time.

I'm a book lover and collector. I stop into Powell's several times per month and always come away with something that I like at a very affordable price. Their staff is very helpful and cordial...

I ordered a copy of Tyrannosaurid Paleobiology from Powell's Bookstores Chicago via AbeBooks. The book arrived in excellent condition and in a timely fashion. Thank you for the great service!

Great selection of used books in a variety of subjects. They buy books, but are judicious in what they take (it's chiefly an academic book store)--some reviewers seem to miss this point.

Superb selection and decent prices, especially on some intriguing new books in hardcover. Great children’s section. Helpful staff. No place to sit but that’s not their vibe so I get it.

Cool bookstore late hours lots of rare finds got a copy of journey to the west last time I was there and all the books they sell are used so you can buy like three books for 20 dollars

A really great selection of books. While it's heavily geared towards course related literature, there's a decent sized fiction section and an impressive cook book collection as well.

i guess i never wrote a review but this bookstore is maybe the greatest place in the world, u can walk in with a $5 and have something great to read, what could be better than that?

Used book store in Hyde Park where you can spend time finding great books. Some used, some new but at great prices. Love the Art and Children's selection. Street parking available.

A great bookstore! I was suprized by the quality of book I found there! Also, this place, by far, has the best used economic books section I've ever seen in a used books bookstore!

Lacking selection, including on some extremely popular and common academic texts. But still decent relative to other bookstores considering the sheer amount of stock shelved here.

The staff is so helpful and knowledgeable! I always find a hidden gem or two here. The Chicago selections but the "black studies" section gets my undivided attention everytime

A very good selection of used books from all subjects. I've been to a lot of bookstores, and this one has a good quality-to-price ratio. It was worth the trip coming to visit.

Their collection is fantastic. This bookstore is not selling any trash book that you can find popular bookstore chains. Also, great atmosphere with helpful personnel.

Featured books on the tables are cheap and can include some great deals. The books on the shelves are less cheap but still worth it. And their late hours are great.

Sizable collection of books, comprehensive genres. My only complaint is I have been unable to chance upon titles by many mainstream Asian writers in my past visits.

Selection is of course unpredictable, but a pretty good source even for those most-searched student books, and staff there are almost always friendly and helpful!

I had some books that I didn't want to throw away if it was possible. They accepted the books and promised to donate them to an organization that could use them.

I thought I would drop in for just a quick look around, and I ended up staying for two hours, having bought far too many books. There are some great finds here!

I ordered a hardcover book from them on Ebay and received an audio book. Easy mistake! Once I let them know they immediately issued a refund. Great company!

A community main stay! I've gotten loads of good books from here, both for myself and for others. It has an large variety of genres, all decently priced!

I can spend hours here browsing the shelves. The books are inexpensive and I've made some great discoveries here. Good date spot for a bookish couple : )

Not the friendliest staff. That said, this location has a great selection of rare and hard to find books. Great for any avid reader and college students.

I purchased the coffee table sized book " The Black Farmer". The retail price is $ 49.99. I purchased it at Powell's for $ 4.99. How cool is that ? !

Bury yourself in the bookstore. Books of all disciplines at cheaper prices. Thanks, Mr. John Zeigler Jr for introducing me to this wonderful place.

Great selection of books. With all the schools and seminaries in the Hyde Park area there is always something new here no matter your interest

This is by far the best book store. Walked out buying 7 books for only 46.00. They have everything. Definitely check them out if in area

Was focusing on architecture section, great collection, and of a good deal. There are several bookstores around, but I found this best.

Amazing book selection at great prices! The staff is friendly and helpful, though I recommend just exploring and seeing what you find.

They have a huge variety of books in this large bookstore. I like when I can find knitting books there and they are reasonably priced.

Great bookstore. It's easy to lose yourself in the stacks of every genre. Plan enough time on your stop here to enjoy browsing.

My favorite bookstore by far! A wide selection of nonfiction, well organized for easy browsing. Staff is friendly and helpful.

Always a great experience, especially if you love the smell of books. Every once in a while you may stumble upon a rare find.

Always a delight. Good mix of older photography and art books. Reasonable prices. Frequently find a surprise to take home.

The best place in the world to shop for used books. I never leave without a full bag to keep me going for a couple months.

they have an amazing selection and good prices. service is knowledgeable and friendly. quick walk from campus, too.

Great place not only to shop books but also to spend time. An infinite number of books all in excellent condition.

Well organized with a phenomenal selection of books. Very reasonable prices. Bibliophiles could spend hours here.

Great bookstore, mix of old and new. Rich with people browsing the selection and just floor to ceiling books

Excellent neighborhood shop to explore book selections among the stacks. Helpful staff and robust collection

A wonderful and well priced little bookstore, though the sff section leaves a little to be desired

Extensive collection but hard to impossible to navigate if you require a wheelchair or walker.

Been coming here since high school. Such great deals and such a great selection of books!

Pretty pricey-especially for used books, but they allowed my dog in and were very sweet

Failed to disappoint. Friendly, helpful staff. Well stocked and organized used books.

So many books organized in great selections. Some are very cheap others more pricey.

One of my favorite bookstores I've ever been! Overwhelming amount of books. Love it!

Nice book store but won't be coming back they are still requiring you to wear a mask

Great bookstore, but they aren't able to look up whether something is on the shelf.

I've been going here for years and have always walked away happy with the service

Good selection of new/used books at solid prices. Even the free books are a plus

Used bookstore that is packed with amazing finds, books from floor to ceiling.

Excellent independent used books. Very knowledgeable staff. Worth a visit.

The greatest deals on a wide selection of academic and coffee table books

I love the cozy ambience of this bookstore! Great selection

Bought a book for my class. Staff was really friendly :)

Excellent place to peruse for books