August 29th is Independent Bookstore Day, and booksellers nationwide are celebrating with exciting events, readings, discounts, and more. Check out what these five Chicagoland indie bookstores are doing to observe the holiday!
Volumes Bookcafe
Since opening in the Wicker Park neighborhood back in 2016, Volumes Bookcafe has quickly become one of the most popular indie bookstores in Chicago. Run by sisters Rebecca and Kimberly George, Volumes is known for its delicious baked goods, welcoming community space, and carefully curated shelves. Stop by their shop (in person or online) this weekend to pick up a new read and some #BookStoreDay merch!
Find more details on Instagram here.
Find more details on Instagram here.
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery is the first and only Black woman-owned bookstore in Chicago. Located in the West Town area, owner Danielle Mullen is committed to fostering community, as well as raising the literacy rates in Chicago and beyond. Mullen and her team live out this mission through the #ClearTheShelves initiative, a monthly event where Chicago Public School students can pick up books free of charge. Semicolon will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day with their third #ClearTheShelves giveaway! Visit the links below to register or donate!
Find more details on Instagram here.
Our next #ClearTheShelves event is on #IndieBookstoreDay. Yeah, we’ve officially lost our minds 🤦🏾♀️😂
Wanna register or donate? https://t.co/S8hwO3fJwB pic.twitter.com/Kx8nzffxCb
— Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery (@SemicolonChi) August 21, 2020
Pilsen Community Books
Pilsen Community Books was founded as a general interest bookstore back in 2016, but in March 2020 it became a worker cooperative. The shop is now led by Mandy Medley, Manuel Morales y Méndez, and Katharine Solheim—career booksellers with a combined 40+ years of experience. The shop carries new and used books and is located in the heart of the Pilsen neighborhood. Stop by the shop on August 29 to purchase a limited-edition tote bag and get 10% off your entire purchase!
Find more details on Instagram here.
Quimby’s Bookstore
Quimby’s Bookstore is a Wicker Park staple known for its zines, as well as its “unusual publications, aberrant periodicals, saucy comic booklets, and assorted fancies.” Join Quimby’s this weekend for a showing of Arthur Jones’s award-winning documentary Feel Good Man. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to independent theaters and bookstores nationwide. Select Quimby’s at checkout to support this local gem!
Find more details on Instagram here!
Booked
Located in Evanston, Booked offers a diverse collection of children’s books exploring topics such as race, gender, religion, and more. Owners Chelsea Elward and Rachel Round are committed to promoting literacy, kindness, and fun in their shop, and are always happy to help match young readers to the perfect book for them. Visit Booked this Saturday for their Indie Bookstore Day sale and to join an exciting event with author Cozbi Cabrera!