You certainly don’t have to be a woman to be a fan of this feminist bookstore, which ranks among the country’s best. The 30,000 books in stock make it one of the largest as well, boasting titles by and about women and a wide selection of children’s read, along with lesbian and gay fiction and non-fiction works. Beyond the latest and greatest femme-created New York Times bestsellers, you’re sure to find fantastic biographies, novels, memoirs, and non-fiction titles—many autographed by the author herself.

The staff seems less like they’re doing a job and more like they’re following a passion—expect great recommendations and eager help. Better still, in addition to supporting of Chicago writers, the store presents an amazing schedule of events. Past guests have included Maxine Hong Kingston, Sandra Cisneros, Margaret Atwood, Heather Woodbury and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.