Anderson’s Bookshop

Solely based on a book signing I’m currently at.
First there was a glitch in the system and instead of selling tickets in order it skipped around. We ended up 350s.
It was very difficult to know where we were supposed to be. I don’t understand, they have an intercom. And only made one or two announcements.
The woman also boasted that she got 700 people through in 45 minutes, and 1.5 hours later they’re struggling to get through 200ish if that.
Really great selection tho, nice little gifts around as well.

Love this bookstore in Naperville. They consistently have authors come in for a signing and I have some wonderful signed copies of books. This store has a little home town feel, as does their sister store in Downers Grove. I like to support this store to keep a local small business in business!

Whether you’re into books, toys, games, or knock knacks, this page is always a delight to wander through.

It warms my heart to see such a busy bookstore. Replete with staff recommendations and an amazing variety, this truly is a booklover’s dream. And it smells so good!

The two ladies were very pleasant, but there was a grumpy elderly gentleman today. He got annoyed picking up the phone and when he hung up the phone, I overheard him whispering to himself «stupid people.» I think he may have forgotten I was 10 feet away. A few seconds later, the phone rings and he says «sheesh.» His tone immediately changed when one of the female employees came. Lol.
I tried talking to him but he was in no mood to talk: D

I didn’t have much time to walk through this bookstore, but I certainly plan to come back once I have more time. Based on what I saw, Anderson’s has quite the selection of books! It’s great that there’s also a rather large selection of books and activities for kids– I’ve always felt that early learning is very important! This particular location seemed to be a little pricey with regard to their stuffed animals, puppets, and other miscellaneous toys, but that is to be expected of a bookstore (in my opinion). I can’t wait to step in again!

This little bookshop is such an asset to the Naperville community. In the Amazon world, finding brick and mortar bookstores is more and more difficult to do. This shop has been open for years and still appears to thrive (thank goodness). While it doesn’t have anywhere close to the space of a Barnes and Noble, it makes up for smaller inventory with personal charm.
I try to stop in Anderson’s every time I’m in downtown Naperville. Their location is perfect — right in the heart of downtown, on Jefferson just a few blocks from Jefferson and Washington. If you love to read, this place is heaven! Perusing the aisles, you’ll find personal recommendation cards sprinkled throughout the titles. You can read about why others have found particular books to be great, and I’ve found so many new fantastic authors this way.
My favorite thing about Anderson’s though, by far, is their special events. This is how I actually found them many years ago when I was just a wee teenager. They host events where they actually have authors out to the store for signings. They get really big names to come out, too! Since the store is somewhat small, they will occasionally host for a really big author over at the college or other venues instead. Check out their website to see which authors will be in town when — they have events pretty much every weekend, and often just about every night throughout the week.

Naperville is lucky to have this bookstore. It regularly hosts big-​name writers, unlike neighboring Barnes and Noble. It’s not perfect: I would like to see a greater percentage of the space dedicated to books (they also sell toys and gifts). Fans of writers’ back catalogues might be disappointed, as they tend to carry newer releases. But these are small complaints. Buy a book here and read!

Great bookstore! There are too bookstores in downtown naperville. I prefer this smaller/​local bookstore. I went into this store looking for a specific book. I found a few ladies at the information desk. They were very friendly and helpful! One of the ladies showed me exactly what I was looking for.
Overall– great local bookstore with a fantastic/​helpful staff! I will go back soon.

Still in love.
The author appearances are top notch. David Sedaris, Luis Urrea, Dan Chaon, and Brigid Pasulka are among those I’ve heard/​met.

I have gone here for years. I decided it was time to write a review. Whenever I have needed a book, they always have it. The staff are quick to help you find what you’re looking for plus there are many great gift items to pick up along the way.
First class bookstore and gift shop!

I purchased a signed book from this store to have shipped from store.
1) This store does not ship packages out with tracking numbers
2) They don’t return phone calls
3) ‘Night’ manager is not authorized to process refunds over the phone
4) Awful experience with the night manager from Wednesdays.
5) Spoke with two separate people on two separate days, neither was able to help.
Otherwise probably a good independent bookstore with a good selection of books (both signed and unsigned) —- but they should probably look into hiring a new ‘night manager’ for Wednesday nights. They would also benefit from shipping their packages out with tracking numbers and returning phone calls when they promise to do so.

Downtown Naperville has changed a lot since I was a kid. It’s actually a destination now, as opposed to a sleepy little downtown area. Some of the new stuff is great though one could argue that it’s getting too commercialized. For those in the latter category, might I suggest Anderson’s?
This place has been around forever, which is impressive for not only an independent business but an independent bookstore. It’s not as a big as a Barnes and Noble for sure, but you want quality and not quantity regarding books (and most other things).
I took my boyfriend here since he is reader, and we come back every time we return to Naperville.

What a great bookstore!
There is a marvelous collection of books here that is super well organized with really friendly and helpful staff eager to help you.
A friend and I stopped in and had a great time perusing books. I ended up buying some clearance Christmas merchandise, several simply marvelous greeting cards and a great book.
I love bookstores in general and this one in particular. I love to read and yes, I own a Kindle, but there is nothing like a bookstore.
It’s my position that I want to live in a world that still has cool bookstores like this so I make a point of shopping at them. I don’t care if you can get a book cheaper here or there. You can’t get the bookstore experience online or at Costco.
Come on, visit this bookstore or any bookstore. Buy a book! Buy one for a child in your life. Open it up and touch the pages. Spend a bit of money to maintain this experience for the future.
Pardon me but I have to go read now.

A great local bookstore in downtown Naperville with an excellent selection of books. Skip the chain stores and buy local!

Andersons is great!
When my book idea well has run dry, I’ll just stop by Andersons. Their employee recommendations (written by hand on index cards) loads me up with great book ideas. They host a ton of author signings. Their shelves are full of signed books which make special Christmas gifts. The place is friendly with a very positive vibe. Great fun!
Can I prattle for a second here? It’s weird. Those little employee index cards are so valuable and interesting. Yet, a zillion Amazon reviews have virtually no value. Scratch, scratch. I can’t figure it out.
Fall-​off-​a-​log easy 5 stars!
yow, bill

Terrible customer service. I was told I could get tickets to a book signing without purchasing a book. I already bought the book from Barnes & Noble for over $ 11 less than Anderson’s charges. When my fiancé and I both tried to contact them, all we got were attitudes. They said we couldn’t attend unless we purchased the books from them for $ 28 a piece.
Try will never get my or anyone I knows business ever again!

I like independent bookstores, but am amazed at how many of them are able to remain in business with the rise of online books, Kindles, Nooks and discount bookstores. Big bookstore chains have had to shut their doors. So, I was impressed to learn that Anderson’s has been in business for a while and even has another location in Downers Grove. That gets big plus points in my book.
The shop is fairly large, the selection is extensive and it is well organized. They also carry other items such as TY Beanie Ballz stuffed toys and games. I even saw some tea and other little trinkets for sale.
I left empty-​handed mainly because I don’t really see the point of buying a book at regular price when you can either check it out from the library or buy it online or at a used bookstore for less. I didn’t interact with any of the staff members either so I can’t comment on the service.
They did have an author coming to the store that afternoon so they were setting up for that. It seems like they are very involved in the community, which is good and a big part of the reason why they have been in business for so long.
Overall, good bookstore and I’d stop in again if I was in the area, but the verdict is still out on whether I’d actually buy anything. Maybe I would spring for it if I found a book on clearance or something, but I highly doubt it.

After trying unsuccessfully to book myself an author event at Anderson’s Bookshop, I was inclined to dislike the shop before ever setting foot inside. .. but the other day, I popped in to see if they had any Mad Libs because I just happened to be in downtown Naperville for the first time. And I am fresh out of Mad Libs.
Well, even though they snubbed me as an author three years ago, as a customer, I was charmed by the store. And the sweet ladies working there charmed me even more. I picked out some Mad Libs (two books of them, including Penguin Classics – fun!) The place reminded me of the old Schwartz shop in Milwaukee, right down to the placement of the Ugly Doll display, so that felt sweetly nostalgic. All in all, Anderson’s is just the place when you’re missing the 1990s.

Although the selection may not be like that available at a big box store, there’s quite a bit of well-​organized material here. I’ve been able to find lifestyle, health, and travel books that have helped me on my little research projects.
There’s a cute section for kids in the back, and I hear they have seasonal/​author events periodically. They oftentimes feature more prominent authors in Wentz Hall a couple of blocks over, at NCC.
I haven’t had to ask for help from staff as yet, but the cashiers seem to be on top of things. Since this is a busy area, the street parking can be scarce.