Page Turners

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May 2022 View more

The Book Shop Batavia

BATAVIA

Nearly every square inch of this diminutive shop (seriously, it’s 390 square feet) on brick-paved River Street is stacked with used books, from history tomes to mystery paperbacks. “I sell everything that everybody told me people wouldn’t read anymore,” says owner James Joseph. “I have customers ages 15 to 55 buying poetry and classics. Far and away, that’s my No. 1-selling section.”

Good to know: Joseph often hosts half-price sales to make way for new inventory; follow @thebookshopbatavia on Instagram for announcements.  

The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN

Shop fiction and nonfiction of all genres at this prolific shop, in operation since 1960. “We don’t have a big footprint, but we have a lot of selection and we have a mix of classics and new titles,” says Shannon Burgess, who, along with co-owner Gail Dickson, took over the business when longtime owner Jane Stroh retired in 2017. “We try to have something for everybody.” bookstoreofge.com

Good to know: The store places 20 to 25 special orders for customers every day, and they usually arrive in two days.

Anderson’s Bookshop

NAPERVILLE

This shop’s storied history in downtown Naperville dates back to 1875 when owner Becky Anderson’s great-great-grandfather sold books out of W.W. Wickel Pharmacy. Known for its author events, Anderson’s has hosted everyone from Neil Patrick Harris to former President George W. Bush for meet-and-greets. Fun fact: “J.K. Rowling’s very first event with children was in our bookstore,” says Ginny Wehrli-Hemmeter, director of events and marketing. andersonsbookshop.com

Good to know: Anderson’s also has a location in downtown Downers Grove. 

Harvey’s Tales

GENEVA

Owners Roxanne and Chuck Osborne opened this two-story shop in 2018 as their retirement project. “We wanted to continue to be a part of the community and enjoy people on a daily basis,” Roxanne says. After deciding what book to buy, the next-hardest decision will be where to tuck into it: with a drink from the shop’s coffee and tea bar, in front of the fireplace, in a cozy reading nook, or outside on the patio. harveystales.com

Good to know: While the store is named for the Osbornes’ first Bernese mountain dog, who died shortly before the store opened, their Bernie tradition continues with Hazel and Howard.

Photo courtesy of Harvey’s Tales