35 Books Set in + About Chicago

This award winning novel is about the AIDS epidemic in Chicago. In the 1980s, Yale watches as his friends die, as the terrifying illness circles closer and closer to him. Years later, Fiona, the daughter of one of Yale’s friends, is trying to understand the crisis as well as her estranged relationship with her daughter. For fans of literary fiction.

Gretchen, Jane, and Teddy (two sisters and their cousin) have always been able to count on the family restaurant, Sullivan’s. But when the family patriarch dies at the same time their three lives implode, the restaurant takes on new meaning for them as they try to navigate their changing worlds, romantic entanglements, and family drama. For fans of family stories.

In the Chicago suburbs, four grown daughters is one family have different secrets and and troubles. Then the past comes back to visit in the form of a son once placed up for adoption by one of the daughters years ago. This is for fans of dysfunctional family stories.

In 1990s Chicago, Jack and Elizabeth are two free-spirited artists eager to pursue their dreams. But now, years later, they are married and living in the suburbs. And they are both dealing with dissatisfaction that will require them to come to terms with their separate pasts. For fans of literary fiction.

In the summer of 1999, three girls form a deep friendship in the face of their neighborhood being torn down by the Chicago Housing Authority. But then a fourth girl is added to the mix and their close-knit group starts to fall apart. Now, years later, Fe Fe looks back on that summer and tries to make sense of what happened. For fans of literary fiction.

Arguably a modern classic, this novel was first published in 1991 and has been beloved. It’s about Esperanza, a young girl in Chicago. The story is told in vignettes as Esperanza reflects on her family, neighborhood, and growing up. I’ve included this book in our adult fiction category, but it’s also often shelved with Young Adult Fiction. For fans of literary fiction.

When Ruby King’s mother is killed in their Chicago home, she is left with only her abusive father. Her best friend, Layla, wants to help her. But Layla’s father orders Layla to stay away from Ruby. Layla is determined though, and discovers secrets in their families’ pasts that link them together. For fans of contemporary fiction.

This novel pays tribute to Little Women as William Waters becomes friends with Julia Padavano and finds a family he never had with her and her sisters. But his past comes back to haunt them and threatens to tear them apart. For fans of contemporary fiction and family stories.

Sam is a bookworm who dreams of journalism school. So when a mysterious benefactor named “Mr. Knightly” offers to pay her way to Northwestern, she accepts. The only condition is that she has to write him regular letters. For fans of books with lots of book references and sweet stories.

This is a love story of Clare, who stays in place, and Henry, who time travels at random. They have to find ways to stay connected, and they never know when they will see each other. This is a book that earned its spot on my favorites-of-all-time shelf (and it’s been awhile so I want to re-read it soon!). For fans of romance and speculative fiction.

I’ve adored the Kate Clayborn books I’ve read, so this one is definitely going on my TBR. In it, Will comes to Chicago to offload a property he inherited. But once he’s there, he sees Nora and remembers the first time he met and was charmed by her. But they are at odds because Nora wants to keep her building exactly how it is. For fans of romance.

In 1944, Aki Ito and her family are starting over in Chicago after being released from Manzanar, the Japanese internment camp. She loves her sister Rose, and when Rose is killed by a subway train Aki knows it’s not the suicide officials say it was. For fans of historical mysteries.

Jason Dessen is a physics professor in Chicago who one day is drugged and kidnapped. But when he wakes up, his life is completely different. It’s like he is in an alternative universe where he has made completely different decisions that have altered the course of his life. But which life is real? For fans of thrillers.

This modern classic set in 1930s Chicago is about Bigger Thomas, a man in crisis after he kills a white woman in a panicked act. It’s about poverty and racism and it’s definitely a “Great American Novel” to add to your list. For fans of literary fiction and classics.

This classic play debuted in 1959, and it is about a Black family in Chicago. Walter Lee dreams of a better life and uses his father’s life insurance money for a new business ventures. When things go badly, he finds he might be beholden to the white man who wanted to buy him out. For fans of theater.

This breakout book for Larson centers around the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where architect Daniel Hudson Burnham worked to create the White City while Henry H. Holmes murdered people in his nearby hotel. For fans of narrative non-fiction.

In 1970s Bronzeville (a historic Black Chicago neighborhood), Dawn, Kim, and Debra have promising futures. The Civil Rights Movement has made changes, and their parents are determined that they will have better lives. They are three close friends all bound for success, but when tragedy strikes, Dawn tries to piece together how they got there. For fans of memoir.

When Jefferson was growing up, she was part of “Negroland,” a segment of elite Blacks in Chicago. Here she recounts what society was like, the exclusivity and expectations, while also discussing the way a changing America society in the mid-twentieth century impacted her enclave. For fans of memoirs.

We have to include the Obamas in our books about Chicago! And y’all. If you want to read this one, might I HIGHLY recommend the audio? Michelle herself reads it and it’s so fantastic. I loved everything about this book, but honestly what especially sticks with me was hearing about her childhood and early adult years in Chicago. For fans of memoirs.

The 1985 Chicago Bears was a football team beloved by the city and famed for their Super Bowl win. They were also a team of colorful personalities and entertainment. Here, Cohen tells the history of that team and interviews some of the key players about their experiences. For fans of books about sports.

This bright picture book has kids counting with Chicago landmarks and icons. Recommended ages: 0-4 years.

I love these geographical alphabet books! In this one, each letter tells kids about landmarks and famous figures. The text is simple and rhyming, with side panels giving more information to more advanced readers. Recommended ages: 5 and up.

When it’s Chicago’s turn to host the World’s Fair in 1893, they needed something that felt just as impressive as the Eiffel Tower from the previous World’s Fair. Cue George Ferris, and his Ferris Wheel design. Recommended ages: 5-9 years.

This book tells the story of Jane Addams, known for establishing Hull House in the late 1880s, which helped thousands of people in a poor neighborhood in Chicago. This is a story about making a difference and recommended for kids ages 6 and up.

I can attest from volunteering in my kiddo’s elementary school library that kids LOVE these I Survived books! This one is about a boy named Oscar who is caught in the middle of the Great Chicago Fire. Recommended ages: 7 and up.

When Nell Warne is sent to live with her aunt Kate, she needs to make it work so she isn’t sent to the Home for the Friendless. But her Aunt Kate isn’t just a normal aunt. She’s also the nation’s first female detective: Kate Warne. Lucky for Nell, she has just the skills needed to help solve mysteries. Recommended ages: 8-12 years.

In 1946, Langston feels like he’s losing everything by having to move from Alabama to Chicago after his mother dies. But at the library he discovers the poetry of Langston Hughes and he starts to find his place. Recommended ages: 8-12 years.

In 1920s Chicago, 10-year-old Isabel Feeney dreams of being a reporter. So when she comes across a murder scene she has found her chance to both report on it and solve a mystery. Recommended ages: 9-12 years.

When Saba Khan’s family’s apartment in Chicago burns down, the whole school comes together to support them. But then a piece of art is brought to a fundraiser to support them and it turns out it’s worth TONS of money. This causes suspicions, accusations, and arguments over who should get the money to come up. Recommended ages: 12 and up.

Alice has always loved her best friend Teddy. But when she gives him a lottery ticket as a joke and he actually WINS, the money and attention may actually get in the way of them realizing their feelings for each other. Recommended ages: 12 and up.

When Wendy’s father, a Chicago cop, is arrested and sentenced to years in jail, she feels like she needs to create a new reputation for herself. She falls into a Catholic high school clique, which feels like the perfect way to protect herself. But it may not be what she needed. Recommended ages: 12 and up.

In Julia’s family, Olga has always been the “perfect” daughter. But when Olga is killed in an accident, Julia is left to come to terms with both her grief and her role in her family. Recommended ages: 14 and up.

In 1920s Chicago, Ruby uses her mind-reading powers to enact vigilante justice on men who have taken advantage of women. But when she meets a boy who works in forensics, her may be able to uncover her secret. This is a supernatural romance, recommenced for ages 14 and up.

The Davenports are a wealthy Black family in 1910s Chicago. Four girls in their family (two sisters, one maid, and a BFF) all have different goals in life, and all have their hearts set on different men (or honestly, sometimes the same man). This is a historical romance with strong female characters, and there’s a sequel if you enjoy this one! Recommended ages: 15 and up.