When you’re looking for a good novel about Chicago, you’re most likely to turn to those writers identified as Chicago writers, such as Saul Bellow (The Adventures of Augie March), Sara Paretsky […]
Six Chicago Books by Non-Chicago Authors
Reading in the Face of Death—Book Suggestions for Self-Isolation
Too many books, not enough time—it’s the eternal struggle of the book lover. Unfortunately, nature and society have conspired to ensure we all shelter in place, self-quarantine, isolate, and otherwise hunker down […]
Long Books for the Long Hours Ahead
It’s pretty clear now that my wife Cathy and I—both over that red-alarm age of 60—are going to be spending basically all our time in our home for what could easily be […]
Book Smarts—An Interview with Pilsen Community Books’ New Owners
Until recently, Pilsen Community Books was operated by owners Mary Gibbons and Aaron Lippelt. Current part-owner Katharine Solheim shares what’s changing and what will stay the same at the shop. Pilsen Community […]
Book Review: American Warsaw—The Story of Poles in Chicago
American Warsaw: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Polish Chicago by Dominic A. Pacyga (University of Chicago Press, $27) As Dominic Pacyga notes in his fine book about Chicago’s Polonia, American Warsaw, […]
Book Review: Nose to the Grindstone or Creative Expression, Dancing with Langston by Sharyn Skeeter
Note: Sharyn Skeeter will discuss Dancing with Langston at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, at City Lit Books, 2523 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, in an appearance with Judith Krummeck, author of […]
Book Review: Everything Is Gone—Everything Must Go: The Life and Death of an American Neighborhood
Everything Must Go: The Life and Death of an American Neighborhood By Kevin Coval and Langston Allston Haymarket Books What’s the best way to preserve a time and place? I recall the […]
Review: Windy City Playhouse’s The Boys in the Band Has Aged Well and Warmly
The Boys in the Band was revolutionary when it was first performed off Broadway in April 1968, in its portrayal of the lives and loves of gay men. The producers had difficulty […]
Book review: Mexican and Catholic and Chicagoan, Chicago Catolico: Making Catholic Parishes Mexican by Deborah E. Kanter
Note: Deborah Kanter will speak about Chicago Catolico at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, at the National Museum of Mexican Art, (1852 W. 19th St., Chicago). Chicago Catolico: Making Catholic Parishes […]
Book Review: Into the Light of a Dark, Black Night, Blackbird Blues by Jean K. Carney
Note: Jean K. Carney will discuss Blackbird Blues at the Seminary Co-Op Bookstore (5751 S Woodlawn Avenue) on Thursday, January 16, at 6 p.m. Blackbird Blues; by Jean K. Carney Bedazzled Ink Publishing […]
Interview: “Education should be the antithesis to genocide:” Gint Aras Reckons with the Burdens of History
Gint Aras (Karolis Gintaras Žukauskas) has been trapped on planet Earth since 1973. He is the author of two novels, Finding the Moon in Sugar (Infinity, 2009) and The Fugue, (Tortoise, 2016), and a […]
Book Review: The Buddha in Racine—Saturday Night Sage by Noah C. Lekas
Saturday Night Sage by Noah C. Lekas Blind Owl Reviewed by Carr Harkrader In Noah Lekas’ new poetry collection, Saturday Night Sage, Buddha’s divine path is paved over with Wisconsin asphalt. Writing […]
