Interview: Raghav Rao Never Fails in Missy
In his debut novel, Missy, Raghav Rao keeps one foot in India and one foot in Chicago. A tale of immigration, family, and the love of place—homeland or not. His […]
Review: Into the Trees: Her Place in the Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover, by David Hakensen
I restrict my relationship with Nature to short forest preserve visits. I prefer my body sheltered, my water tapped, and my immediate environment free from things that might kill, injure, […]
Dialogs: Humanities Fest Hosts History with Frida Kahlo’s Family and Mary Beard
In front of a rapt audience, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s great nieces appeared at the Chicago Humanities Festival’s Northwestern Day on Sunday, to talk about their new book Casa Kahlo: […]
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 […]