I would like a list of books I should read if I'm interested in
learning the basics of starting a business.  I'm interested in
starting a small cafe/used bookstore in the city of Chicago.

Litedaughter --

I might suggest the Small Business Administration publications
section, as it is broad in scope and includes detailed instructions on
starting, managing and financing a retail store:
SBA
Publications
http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs.html

Good luck -- Chicago has a wonderful collection of restaurants, cafes
and specialty food stores and can always use another!

Omnivorous-GA

I recommend starting with the Rich Dad series. Begin with "Rich Dad
Poor Dad" and then read "Own Your Own Corporation". These books are
not only an informative read, but are also extremely well laid out and
quite entertaining. The website (http://www.richdad.com/) boasts that
"Rich Dad Poor Dad" is still the NY Times Bestseller. It was required
reading for a Principles of Entrepreneurship class I took about a year
ago and is a fantastic book.