Blogs

If you've been in the store lately, you'll have seen our Halloween-themed table.  We have all our favorite creepy reads out on display.  In case you didn't see it, or haven't visited City Lit in awhile, we're posting some scary books on our website.  When you want to get the shivers, grab one of these titles and prepare to be spooked!

September 21st-27th is Banned Books Week: an annual event celebrating the freedom to read.  We're honoring intellectual freedom with our Banned Books Event on Friday, September 26th.  We've invited local authors Esme Codell, Beatriz Badikian-Gartler, Kathleen Larkin, and Deirdre Harrison to come by City Lit and read passages from their favorite banned books.  We'll also be showcasing local high school students who will read from banned books, and some live local music.

Banned Books Week is an important event, bringing attention to issues of censorship and freedom.  However, we encourage you to read banned books all year long!  Here are a few of our favorite frequently-challenged titles: 

As Summer stampedes to a close, we're already pining for outdoor festivals, reading a great book on the beach, and the hot, muggy Chicago air...well, maybe not that last one. But don't worry! Your friendly, neighborhood bookstore has you covered. Before you up and move to warm climates all year round, remember the one great thing that makes September worthwhile...NEW BOOKS! That's right. September releases have us all clammoring for Summer to up and end so we can get our hands on these amazing new titles. Here are just a few of the most anticipated unreleased or just released titles of the Fall. 

As most of our devoted followers know, we at City Lit Books try to provide the neighborhood with a wide array of bookclubs and (free) events. This week, join bookseller, Chelka, for her Chat 'n' Chew Bookclub!

For those of you who haven't attended, Chat 'n' Chew is all about food: reading about food, talking about food, and, of course, eating delicious, homemade, cookbook-centered food. This month, we'll be discussing a food blogger of your choosing. This could be your well-worn copy of Deb Perlman's Smitten Kitchen cookbook, Joy the Baker's cookbook, Angela Liddon's Oh She Glows Vegan cookbook, or anything else you've read, loved, and consumed!

This bookclub meets this thursday, August 28th at 6:30. So drop in with your favorite blogger cookbook and maybe a treat to share!

For a full list of our bookclubs, check out our Bookclub page!   

Before I opened City Lit and I would read about retailers’ anniversaries, I would think “good for them” and”I should really stop by and get some free cookies. “   I could not have imagined the gratitude, joy, excitement, and pride that such an announcement brings.  Gratitude for the unwavering support of so many families and regular customers.  Joy of watching a community grow.  Excitement for the new customers, books, events, and relationships we have yet to build.  Pride in a conscientious and hard-working staff that set a high bar for customer service every day. 

Today I am thankful for the support of the tremendous community of book-lovers, the efforts of a great team of City Lit booksellers, and the generosity of support from all of you who have helped create this thriving and exciting place.

Stop by and have some cookies!

As true Chicagoans know, Chicago in the summer turns into one long, mad, outdoor festival. It seems like every weekend is another excuse for cold beers in plastic cups, picnic dinners, and sunscreen (not to mention that crumpled paperback you always carry with you, right?). 

Right before you break down and buy those last minute Lollapalooza tickets for this upcoming weekend, consider checking out Lolla's first ever art exhibit, "Art Alliance: Provocateurs." It's set to run in tandem with the music festival from July 31st to August 4th. 

"Art Alliance: The Provocateurs" will feature some of the most prominent street artists working in today's cultural climate, including the incredible Shephard Fairey. The show will stage five outdoor mural projects on Chicago walls, with Fairey's taking up 9th and Wabash. The exhibit will also have an indoor component, in case we lose our moderate summer weather or you're in need of a mid-dance break cool down at the Loop's Block Thirty Seven. 

What does this have to do with us, you ask? Well BESIDES the fact that we love our fair city and are always up for spreading the word about some new event, City Lit got the tip off about 'The Provocateurs' and, being the cultural liaisons which we ARE, we're now proud to carry a collection of art folios by artists involved as well as a few limited edition pieces published for the art show. 

This includes Stanley Donwood of Radiohead fame, Shephard Fairey, Banksy, Revok, Keith Haring and many more.

So after you've done the downtown thing, head up to Logan Square to check out these beautiful new editions. Trust us... They're gorgeous. 

For more information on 'The Provocateurs,' check out their website

THE CCLAP SHOWCASE: A New Reading Series and Open Mic

We at City Lit are proud to host the second CCLAP Showcase this month on Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:30. The reading ad open mic will take place in the store. 

The CCLAP (Chicago Center for Literacy and Photography) will present the renowned Eric Charles May, author of Bedrock Faith and Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low Flying Duck, for a reading. Afterwards, CCLAP will organize an open mic for a selection of authors and poets. 

If you're interested in signing up for an open mic slot in advance, write cclapcenter@gmail.com. And if you're not interested in signing up, make sure that you drop in to hear some great new authors read their current works.

Hope to see you there!  

TO OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS,

We'd like to extend the most heartfelt of THANK YOUS for coming out to celebrate the first Annual Chicago Independent Bookstore Day yesterday. It was a resounding success! We love that you think of us on Saturday morning when you come to join us while Miss Irica reads and sings. We love that you were able to share Martha Bayne's delicious gazpacho creations. We love that you helped us welcome Curbside Splendor authors and followers. In short, we love that you helped us have a fabulous Chicago Independent Bookstore Day!

We are thrilled that you have become a part of our community, and honored that we have become a part of yours. 

As I'm sure you're all actively following, this Saturday is Chicago's first annual Independent Bookstore Day! With nine bookstores around Chicago participating in giveaways, book signings, and other special events unique to each store, it's bound to be a blast. 

We were excited enough knowing that our faithful Logan Squarers and Chicagoans would take note and take part. But just the other day, we received some pretty exciting news...

Chicago's own Rahm Emanuel declared that July 12, 2014 is OFFICIALLY Chicago Independent Bookstore Day in Chicago! Not only that, he namedropped us in his Proclamation! Whether or not this will translate to a citywide holiday with businesses and schools closing, we'll keep you posted...

 PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, books were spawned by the evolution of the act of transcription and written language in pursuit of greater communication, which can be traced to ancient civilization; and 

WHEREAS, the birth of books forever changed the course of history, fortifying culture by exchanging ideas and increasing scholarship, and bolstering communication amongst people the world over; and

WHEREAS, the independent bookstore has long played an indelible role alongside libraries in offering unique collections and volumes, and rare editions and assorted subjects to every reader’s predilection; and

WHEREAS, the availability of multifarious varieties of books has long been one of the hallmarks of an advancing, evolving society; and

WHEREAS, often times, it is the independent bookstore’s intimate setting and warm, knowledgeable staff that sets it apart from other institutions; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is home to a number of these cultural and community gems, many of which, boast families or groups, or circles of lifelong resident-customers in and around the historic Hyde Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Downtown, Printer’s Row, Lakeview, and Andersonville neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, 57th Street Books, the Book Cellar, City Lit Books, Open Books, Powell’s Bookstore, Sandemeyer’s, Seminary Co-Op, Unabridged Books, and Women and Children First continue to advance Chicago’s literary palate all while satisfying its diverse intellectual cravings; and

WHEREAS, each of these independent book stores will mark Saturday, July 12, 2014 with very special activities to celebrate their enduring presence and invaluable cultural standing in and around Chicagoland:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RAHM EMANUEL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim July 12, 2014 to be CHICAGO INDEPENDENT BOOK STORE DAY IN CHICAGO and urge all Chicagoans to take part in this auspicious day in recognition of a stories tradition of literature, language, and learning in our city. 

Dated this 8th day of July, 2014. 

Signed,

Rahm Emanuel

Mayor