That's one of my favorite quotes about books/reading. It's by Groucho Marx and I think part of why I love it so much is that it makes books and reading into something humorous, instead of it being a burden or something futile.
I probably should explain where I'm going with this. The first is that I'm obsessed with books. I have been since I can remember. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood are sitting with my mom or dad and having story time before bed. This love and passion for books has actually influenced my entire life. I majored in English for my undergrad and then last year I got my MBA because I want to work in the publishing business. Actually books are what made me move to Chicago! Well partly...the other part is that my sister is here and every time I visited her I fell more and more in love with the city so I decided after grad school to pack all my earthly belongings and move here. And I know what you're probably thinking...if I want to work in publishing so badly why didn't I move to New York?? First of all, I can barely afford Chicago right now so obviously the "rent being too damn high" in New York made it that I would be eating canned tuna by candlelight in a hovel, not really what I imagined. Second, I adore NYC absolutely love but it's just not a city where I see myself. Also with Chicago there are some more independent publishing houses that are more my style, a little less rigid and a little more quirky. Just to name a few...Independent Publishers Group is amazing. Imaginative and puts their customers but also distributors first. My dreammmm job would to be work in children's publishing henceforth...Albert Whitman! They publish the Boxcar Children books, enough said. Also Sourcebooks is another great publisher to check out, their range goes from classics to history to business. Pretty much I would kill to work for any of them. Alas, with the current economy (and my lack of "real world" experience) doesn't have them hiring right now.
So my newest job is...a dog walker! I honestly am super excited about it. It combines the ability to work with animals, which I love, and also the ability to walk and explore around Chicago while getting paid! Not too shabby! This isn't exactly what I (or my mom) planned for a job in Chicago but as they say "it pays the rent" so I'm not gonna be too picky right now. But, I will apologize cause I am super chatty right now and have digressed quite far from my original purpose of this post. Books!
While job searching I also have had the wonderful chance to check out some local bookstores! If you're more a bargain shopper I would suggest three used bookstores. The first is Book Works in Wrigleyville, literally a five minute walk away from Wrigley Field. It's a great independently owned store that offers an awesome variety of fiction, poetry, history, and also some sells some music too! They are also crazy reasonable too, I found a copy of Julia Child's "My Life in France" for $6, pretty much half the price sold at other bookstores and in almost perfect condition.
Bookleggers is another used bookstore on North Broadway in Lakeview. Not really as welcoming as Book Works but fun and quirky in it's own way. Tight aisles gives you the feeling that the books are literally hugging you telling you to buy them and love them. Also being used books they are also really reasonably priced. Most books range from $5-$10. Also they buy books too so if you have some books that you're not so hot about anymore and need a new home bring them in there and make a few bucks!
Finally, the powerhouse of used books is Powell's! This bookstore in Lakeview is just one part of the Powell's family. Literally they are godfather of independents. Their bookstore in Oregon is literally a bookstore mecca offering, no joke, millions, of books! This Chicago location is pretty formidable, being large in size and in stock. They specialize more in non-fiction so if you're looking for history, religion, women's studies, etc this is the place to go.
But, if you're not willing to wait for new releases to become used bargains then head to these two bookstores. First, is Unabridged Books boarding between Lakeview and Boystown. I'm saying this because they are specifically known for their gay and lesbian literature. Though I'm not personally gay I have a lot of friends who are homosexual and I love to support them, and their literature, in any way possible. (I personally recommend "The Bucolic Plague" by Josh Kilmer-Purcell, hysterical and heartfelt about two gay Manhattanites moving up to upstate New York owning and working on their own farm. Hilarity ensues. Also check out their show Beekman Farm, if not just for their llama named "Polka Spot.")
Also saving my personal favorite for last is Book Cellar. Located in Lincoln Square they are half bookstore, half cafe (my personal favorite combo) offering a large children's and fiction selection. If you're looking for some classic McSweeney's publications or just a delicious lunch I highly suggest heading to this place. Also where they are located in Lincoln Square is a great place to go with the girls if you want a fun shopping day, with some specialty food and clothing stores everyone will have a good time!
Hopefully, this helped if you're looking for some good reads and some fun new spots to check out (besides *ahem* Borders). I'll hopefully be combining Groucho's quote combining my new furry friends and reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment