Summer in the City

Ravenswood Used Books is two blocks south of Lincoln Square's core, a small pedestrian friendly shopping area with a central courtyard and fountain. In the summer months this court hosts live music throughout the week, some of it commercial groups sponsored by the chamber of commerce, and some just impromptu performances by just about anyone willing to stand before an audience, or even create one from scratch. This photo illustrates a typical performance for Sunday brunchers, especially those sitting in a left bank cafe listening to Parisian songs in tango rhythms, my own personal favorite, but I have to stay here and sell you books, no offense intended, of course. ¶ Thursday evening's a good time to catch a scheduled group unless that program has fallen to budget cuts. It's all free and intimate with kids, bikes, and lawn chairs spread casually through the courtyard. There's a new book store across the street and our own much less expensive and far more interesting store to the south a few yards or more, and along the way you pass a Chase bank, in case you need some cash to shop with in our plastic-free environment. J.M.

The Secret Wall of Wants

We keep a detailed record of all the books our customers put on a "want to buy" list. After taking your name and phone number a note is posted on the wall where it can be easily found upon the book's arrival. You will be notified immediately, whereupon you will drop everything and rush to the store with cash, no credit cards accepted. If we can't find your note the book will be shelved in hopes that another buyer will appear. If it's really a great book, someone will snatch it up. If not, that tells you that your original idea wasn't so hot after all, and you just saved yourself a few bucks. We are here to serve you.