Myopic Books — Attraction in West Chicago Township

Sweet little shop that operates in a slightly we-wish-for-yesterday mindset. Not exactly well-versed in highly collectible books and not exactly in step with modernity either. Upon stepping in to its space, which was mostly empty, I had a undetectable vibration in my pocket which resulted in my answering my phone in a near whisper. Why such hush-hush tones? Well, as a former library employee, starting a the age of 10 - and in a era when spinster maid head librarians STERNLY shushed you - as well as having owned one of the better antiquarian bookstores in the Northeast, it just still stands as a rule of etiquette for me. The store clerks, who had been babbling aloud among themselves, were horrified, and I was rushed upon by the very spirit of the spinster maid librarian in the form of one gay-bear-'ish-looking chap and some silly exchange took place in which a NO CELLPHONES-type sign was pointed out to me, which one would have to guess they assume everyone gravitates to upon entry. And the purpose of enforcing such a rule when I, the phone user, was speaking so low that even my traveling companion standing next to me couldn't hear me? Perhaps there's the fear that someone on the street might peer in, see me, and run screaming down the street that cellphone use in now permitted in the shop, thereby producing a rush of undesirables into their establishment, cellphones pressed to their ears. Maybe it’s just a case of the old spinster adage: "If we let YOU use your cellphone, we would have to let EVERYONE use their cellphone." Retail anal-retention aside, they allowed me to actually be a customer in their shop, but when it actually came to the business of two very highly collectible books for which I was searching, they proved to be absolute amateurs. I inquired about a specialized Non-Fiction Nature/Ecology subject by an early 20th-Century writer who huge popularity at the time was due to her success as a romance novel writer. Upon being given the titles by me, he proved that his knowledge of her extended itself to only her mediocre and low-priced novels which fetch, at tops, $50 a volume for mint, 1st editions. "No, no," I explained, "I'm looking for two of her obscure Non-Fiction works." Amidst the confusion, I think I also heard him say they don't have an inventory of their books on their computer. Did he have section for fine books, I inquired? A locked case perhaps? He pointed me to a case at the end of the counter. I went to the case, which was blocked off and had a sign saying "Ask for assistance." I asked for assistance and more confusion ensued on his part as he tried to direct me to their Nature section. “THOSE books,” he very smartly informed me about the locked case books, “are around $50 and UP.” When I informed him that the two volumes, for which I’ve been searching for some years, are valued STARTING at $350 for mint First Editions, he scrambled quickly to prove his knowledge of her work by pulling up a list FROM THE INTERNET that included digital and kindle editions of her romance novels which, as he was also quick to point out, were “driving down the prices of her print versions.” I finally had to laugh. A bookstore full of wanna-be late 20th Century spinster librarians whose limited knowledge of fine and collectible books is only surpassed by their misguided attempts to prove to a collector like me that they know more about books than someone who has worked in, bought, and sold books for over 40 years? Can someone just get me to John King Books in Detroit or The Strand in New York City RIGHT NOW? At least there I can pick up my cellphone and call fellow buyers I shop for with news of what’s available and drive up sales for THOSE stores. This one is too busy PRACTICING to be a bookstore to ever actually sell to a...

Very cool bookstore. Tons of selection, well organized.

I would rate 5 stars instead of 3, but the rule against taking photos is, quite frankly, something that made me feel very uncomfortable during my visit, and due to that I don't know if I'm going to be a regular customer.

I bought 4 books my first visit and I'll likely return at least once more. The reason why, is since I broke your "no photos" rule probably about 12 times to keep track of books I might want later, since I can't afford every single book all at once, and to research into them a little bit, etc. Upon further research I realized one of the books I broke your rule to take a photo of is actually super rare and I intend to be back very soon to buy it. But that doesn't mean I'm super comfortable about it -- it's mostly since you run a very unique business and I can't get some of this stuff anywhere else.

Seriously, if the ownership of this business reads these reviews, take down those pretentious "thanks for not taking photos" signs and this place gets an easy 5 from me. It comes across really really bad and makes you seem like mean people. I felt uncomfortable my entire visit there because I was afraid of running into the ownership. I felt like I had to hurry and find my books I liked and get out because of the vibes I got there, like I was being watched or something. When I return to buy the additional books I've been thinking about from your store, I intend to do so quickly (since again, I broke the rule and took photos of where in the store they were) and not spend so much time in the store beyond that. There's a very good chance I will never return a third time. I would feel a lot more comfortable if I didn't feel like I was being monitored by Big Brother while I was there with all these strange, nonsense rules plastered on...

I love the variety of books that they get. Oftentimes I love looking at books on religion and spirituality as well as occult sciences and even though they have a small section compared to official occult bookstores or seminary bookstores they really have good turnaround of the books on the shelves. Every week it seems they have a new pile of books to go through on the new arrivals cart. I appreciate the staff letting me do my thing without much pestering, I prefer to shop privately, but when I do have a question for them they are always very friendly in their answers which are usually very knowledgeable and helpful, like if they don't carry a particular title they can recommend a store or website to check out. But yeah, it's a great place to hang out(quietly of course) I really appreciate their no cell phone use rule and they do indeed enforce it. Not for silently looking something up or checking facebook but for being on the phone talking to someone or taking pictures around the store. But yeah, it has great sections in cookbooks, history, Buddhism, Christianity, occult studies, poetry, tons and tons of cool art and photography books, and lots of fantasy/horror/geek culture stuff too. I could go on. But I love that they are open late. Nothing better than grabbing a bite somewhere and checking out the bookstore after work. Also from time to time they host some experimental music acts which tend to be worth checking out if you like noisier...