By AP
In a number of communities across the U.S., it’s possible to borrow tools, musical instruments, fishing poles and much more from the local public library for free.
Posted on July 19, 2013
Browsing The Coelacanth: My Journey To The Last Bookstores In The Loop
By Natasha Julius
My daughter loves books the way only a 3-year-old can: ritualistically. Her favorites must be read to mark the major passages of her day. Nap time. Potty time. Bath time. Bed time. Right now, the undisputed alpha book is called The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. She received this book for her birthday two weeks ago. Since then, we have read it so often she can recite the text, almost verbatim, to her appreciative collection of Hello Kitty dolls. Late Thursday evening, we received an invitation to a birthday party this weekend. When I asked my daughter what she would like to give her friend, she did not hesitate: The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater.
I mention the timing of the invitation because the Primal Amazonians among you will realize this does not allow the requisite two business days to ensure free delivery of The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. And this is not a big book, nor a handsomely bound hardcover volume; the cost to have it shipped via express local delivery would effectively double my expense. If only, I thought, there were a place where a variety of actual, physical books had been assembled for public perusal. If only books were discrete entities that could fit neatly into a person’s hand, rather than bulky events facilitated by the likes of UPS and FedEx. “Local Express Delivery” certainly seems to suggest a quantity of Big Orange Splots already exists in my general area; could I not, then, seek one out for myself?
Posted on July 14, 2013
Local Book Notes: Diaspora Daughters And The Printers Ball
Plus: Hyde Park Institution Flees To Wisconsin
1. The Diaspora Daughters Speak.
Afro-Latino(a)s/Caribbeans are challenged to reconcile what are seen as conflicting identities. The Guild Literary Complex sheds poetic light on the topic with The Diaspora Daughters Speak, the July installment of our monthly bilingual poetry series Palabra Pura, curated by Sandra Posados and featuring poets Yolanda Nieves and Maya Emma Nnena Ruth Odim (Maya Odim).
Issues of identity are at the core of the Afro-Latino(a)/Caribbean experience in the United States. Sometimes seen by Latino(a)s as a novelty, Afro-Latino(a)s get asked, ‘Where did you learn to speak Spanish?
Meanwhile, whites confuse black Latino(a)s for being African American. And if an Afro-Latino(a) is light skinned the reality of African roots is not recognized by many family members.
Posted on July 12, 2013
Chicago Firm Moving San Diego’s Books
Locals There Not Happy
“Moving into San Diego’s new downtown library is a big job, painstakingly amassing 1.2 million items under the new signature dome over five weeks, costing $450,000,” the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
“The company selected for the move is based in Chicago, not San Diego. The movers were flown here and are staying at the Town & Country resort.”
And that has some in San Diego hopping mad. Watch:
Posted on July 10, 2013
Shame Every Rose: Images of Afghanistan
By The Poetry Foundation
Shame Every Rose: Images of Afghanistan, a photography exhibition currently on view at the Poetry Foundation gallery, 61 West Superior Street, displays the works of photographer and filmmaker Seamus Murphy and complements the June issue of Poetry magazine, “Landays.”
A form of oral folk poetry, landays – the term references a short, poisonous snake – are composed by and circulated among Pashtun women. Dense with emotion, these short, couplet-style poems are featured in the June issue of Poetry alongside Murphy’s images of Afghanistan.
“I wanted to shoot the drama, emotion, humor and darkness of their poetry,” said Murphy about his photos and his short film, Snake.
Taken over a period of 18 years, the photographs in this exhibition are sequenced to suggest the form of a landay and are meant to be read (or viewed) from left to right. The exhibition is free and open to the public and will run until August 24th.
Posted on June 28, 2013
Messy Stories About Broken Windows, Urban Design And Dirty Architecture
By The Guild Literary Complex
If urban design is the language of the city, where is the story – and who tells it?
In Applied Words: on Architecture and the Urban Plan, the Guild Literary Complex invites writers to examine our relationships with the built environment.
“Broken Windows,” the first reading in a series of three to continue from now until October, will take place on Tuesday, July 9, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., in the Polish Triangle located at the intersection of Division Street, Ashland Avenue, and Milwaukee Avenue.
The free event will include an open mic and stories from Paul Durica, Maribel Mares, and Sarah Ross. A free afternoon workshop on “place making” will be lead by architect Katherine Darnstadt, founder of Latent Design, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Open mic sign-up begins at 5:30 pm.
Posted on June 24, 2013
Local Book Notes: Harry The Hit Man’s Soft Side
Plus: Reading From Your Diary And Why Rudyard Kipling Hated Chicago
1. Harry The Hit Man Apparently Had Another Side That We Should All Appreciate.
“In the history of organized crime in Chicago, few were feared as much as Harry ‘The Hitman’ Aleman,” NBC Chicago reports.
“Federal authorities believe his body count is 18 or higher.”
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Quite.
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“Aleman died in prison a little more than two years ago. Now his step-daughter, Franky Forliano, is writing a book she says will show her father’s other side.
“In an interview at her west suburban townhome, Forliano talked about the unapologetic tribute to father.”
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Here’s the report:
Posted on June 14, 2013
Tavi Gevinson, Chris Ware & Lynda Barry From Printers Row Lit Fest
Dead Republicans, Einstein’s Mistake & God’s Wife
By The Society of Midland Authors
The Printers Row Lit Fest isn’t just one of the region’s biggest literary events, it’s also a chance to buy autographed books from writers in the Society of Midland Authors. During the festival this Saturday and Sunday, please visit our table (tent space G-3) on Dearborn Street just south of Harrison Street in Chicago’s South Loop area. The following authors are scheduled to sell and sign their books at our table.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Mark Zubro, author of Another Dead Republican, Black and Blue and Pretty Dead Too.
Posted on June 7, 2013
Local Book Notes: Son Of A Chicago Bookie vs. Kraftwerk
Plus: CAKE Comics And Book Worms
1. Make CAKE.
“The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE), a weekend-long celebration of independent comics, returns to Chicago Saturday, June 15 through Sunday, June 16, 2013 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. with over 200 local, national and international exhibitors at Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted).
“Free and open to the public, the CAKE Expo will feature original artwork for purchase, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and special guests.
Posted on May 31, 2013