Events Mon Apr 13 2009

Event Spotlight: Happy Birthday to Us! & More

By Veronica Bond

First, just a quick note to say Happy 4th Birthday to us! The Book Club turns four years old today - that's 44 books about Chicago or written by Chicago authors that we've read together with many more that we're just waiting to dig into. Tonight we'll celebrate with some treats during our discussion of Joshua Ferris's Then We Came to the End, a book that I think many of us are very eager to start discussing. Thank you to everyone who keeps up with us on the mailing list, reads the blog and comes to the meetings - whether you've been to just one meeting or you've become a regular and familiar face - to indulge us in our love of literature. It would be so much less fun without all of you.

Normally I highlight one great event that's happening during the week, but this week there's a slew of exceptional literary happenings that I can't help but mention them all.

First: Today is Drop Everything and Read Day and Open Books is celebrating by opening their office to anyone who wants to come by and have a nice quite place to spend some time reading. They'll also be dropping off books throughout the city for unsuspecting readers to find, so let them know if you come across one of their tagged books. Stop by their office at 213 W. Institute Pl, Suite 305, between 9am-5pm to delve into your current read. Email info[at]open-books[dot]org for questions.

Second: If you're unable to get to the Book Cellar to join us tonight or if you didn't read this month's book but still want to partake in something literary, the wonderful and talented Michael Chabon will be at Northwestern University to give a lecture on Edgar Allan Poe as part of the University's "Great Authors" lecture series. Yes, I am jealous that I won't be able to make it...I love Michael Chabon. Free and open to the public, 7:30pm-10pm, at the Owen L. Coon Forum Jacobs Center, Leverone Hall, 2001 Sheridan Rd. Call 847-491-3525 for more information.

Third: The Big Read continues at Columbia College on Tuesday with a lecture on this year's celebrated author Ray Bradbury by his biographer, Columbia faculty member Sam Weller. I've had the pleasure of hearing Sam talk about Bradbury's work in the past and, trust me, it is an experience not to be missed by any Bradbury fan. Free from 7pm-9pm at 1104 S. Wabash in Columbia College's Film Row Center, 8th floor. For questions, email Kim Hale at khale[at]colum[dot]edu.

Finally: Not one, but two Book Club authors will be giving talks this Tuesday. Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street which is also the current One Book, One Chicago selection, will be at the Harold Washington Library to discuss her work and career. Free and open to the public at 6pm at 400 S. State St. in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium. Call 312-747-8191 for questions and information. And, Karen Abbott, author of Sin in the Second City, will be at the Chicago History Museum to discuss her research and book. 7pm at 1601 N. Clark St. $10 for the general public and $8 for members; tickets can be purchased online. Call 312-642-4600 for more information.

With such a wealth of literary things happening this week, you're sure to find at least one thing that will pique your interest. Enjoy!