Feature: All in All, It’s Just Another Brick in Chicago with Brick Tours
Brick expert Will Quam shared his love and knowledge of the clay rectangles on lsat weekend as part of the spring 2026 Chicago Humanities Festival. The author of Fire and […]
Dialogs: Chicago Humanities Fest Authors Triage the US Constitution
At the Chicago Humanities Festival’s Lakeview Day on Saturday, May 9, two speakers focused on the United States Constitution and how our founding document is weathering onslaught and erosion. Authors […]
Chicago Is Lit: May Literary Events in and Around Chicago and the Midwest
American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library Announce Full Schedule for American Writers Festival June 6, 10 am–5 p.m. (American Writers Museum, 180 N Michigan Ave, 2nd Floor)June 7, 10 […]
Review: Ambiguity as Antidote—Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature
My entire life, I sought the language to push up against the idea that God made animals to eat. After reading Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of […]
Review: Lift Up Your Eyes and See the Bricks, Fire and Clay: How Bricks Reveal the Hidden History of Chicago, by Will Quam
Open Will Quam’s Fire and Clay and you’ll find your notion of Chicago (and its suburbs) transformed. You’ll suddenly notice all the brick buildings and walls and individual rectangles of […]
Interview: Local Author Megy Karydes on Making Time for DIY Self-Care With 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress
When Chicago-area author Megy Karydes first wrote the proposal for her book 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress, “doomscrolling” had yet to appear in the dictionary. It would soon […]
Dialogs: Mayor Johnson Interviews Antiracist Author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi for Humanities Festival Bridgeport Day
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson interviewed noted anti-racism writer Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at the Chicago Humanities Festival’s Bridgeport Day on April 18. The New York Times-bestselling author of How to […]
Review: A Lovely and Touching Poem-Book, Northwoods Lullaby, by Mary Casanova and Jordan Sundberg
Mary Casanova offers “a pine bough swaying lullaby” and “a frog croak-croaking lullaby” and “two swans born today” and “snowshoe hare, eyes so wide.” Jordan Sundberg offers deep vibrant colors […]
Feature: Rick Steves Recounts His Well-Spent Youth and Genesis of His Love of Travel at Chicago Humanities Event
Rick Steves was in the spotlight this week for the Spring Chicago Humanities Festival. Steves is a travel virtuoso, activist, and humanitarian. He is known for his travel series, seen […]
Review: A “Bad Woman” or a Free Woman, Two New Editions of Fidelity, by Susan Glaspell
It’s the early 20th century in the small Midwestern city of Freeport. Dr. Deane Franklin is a member of its upper crust, but strong-minded enough to occasionally go against the […]
Review: A Bohemian Beauty—A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, by Adam Morgan
In the back of my mind, I thought someone would surely write about the inestimable Margaret Anderson: editor, bohemian extraordinaire, and LGBTQ+ icon. Some day. And now someone has, Adam […]
Review: The Poetics of Remembrance—Warm Numb, Jagged Spiral, Hey Teddy, by Thomas Holton
I’m thinking about the times I’ve seen Thomas Holton perform his poetry. I’ve been lucky enough to see him a handful of times on various open mic and literary stages […]