Backstory Cafe There are used books for sale in this socially/environmentally conscious cafe at the Experimental Station. For more, see Restaurants.
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57th Street Books The Seminary Co-op’s more mainstream sister is one of the city’s most venerable independents. Though the steep stairs leading down to its basement location can look a little foreboding, the interior is well-organized and easily browsable, with a smart selection of recent titles always featured on the front tables. The children’s section is a highlight, and a small forest of strollers is parked on the sidewalk out front every Wednesday for story hour. The store runs two or three readings a month, featuring both local authors—from professors to Sara Paretsky—and out-of-towners. 1301 E. 57th, 773-684-1300, semcoop.com. —NB
First Aid Comics James Nurss opened his second-floor walk-up store 15 months ago, in the teeth of the recession. Lacking a street-level window, he put a stand-up sign on the sidewalk, emblazoned with a Jim Lee Batman, and hoped passersby would bite. And so far, miraculously, they have—Nurss is actually thinking of expanding to a bigger location. The current shop is a standard hole-in-the-wall, very light on the manga and independents. Still, Nurss is friendly and knowledgeable, and given the quixotic nature of his endeavor, you’ve got to keep your fingers crossed for him. 1459 E. 53rd, 773-752-6642, firstaidcomics.com. —NB
Series A A free monthly reading series “dedicated to showcasing experimental writing in the U.S., and specifically experimental writing in the Midwest.” The next event features poets Dana Ward, John Coletti, Jess Mynes, and Susan Slaviero (Wed 4/7, 7 PM). Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell, moriapoetry.com/seriesa.html. —JL
