Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Happy Almost New Year's Eve! We hope you had a happy, prosperous, and reading-filled 2011, and wish you the best for 2012. Onto this week's annotations!
— Rose Lannin
Hey, feminists (and everyone else, too)! In case you've been in search of the perfect book group to join, one offered at Women & Children First might be right up your alley. Not surprisingly, selected texts center on the political and social issues that fascinate, impact, and inform modern feminists. This week's text, The Face of War, written by long-time war correspondent Martha Gellhorn, features a compilation of the writer's vivid war coverage of the Spanish Civil War in 1937 through wars in Central America in the 1980s. Historically, women factor into war narratives as those holding down the homeland despite the numerous and various roles they've played--Gellhorn gets right into the thick of things.
The group gets together on the third Monday of every month at 7:30 P.M in the shop at 5233 N. Clark Street.
— Claire Glass
Challengers Comics hosts its annual Nerd Year's Eve celebration this weekend, Saturday, Dec 31st. Hosts will be singer/songwriter Jess Godwin and comic book writer Elliot Serrano. There's a $20 cover that includes drinks, snacks, a $10 Challengers Gift Certificate and a champagne toast. Hostess Jess Godwin will debut her new music video "Out With The Old" after the stroke of midnight. Get your comics fix in before then. Tickets are on sale now at Challengers Comics and Conversation, located at 1845 N Western Ave.
— John Wawrzaszek
Tribune columnist Jon Yates (the "Problem Solver") has heard a lot of people's problems. Enough to fill a thrice-weekly column for the past six years.
If you've missed out on those 900-odd advice columns and could use a helpful synopsis, then you may want to check out Yates' new book — titled, appropriately enough, What's Your Problem? Cut Through Red Tape, Challenge the System and Get Your Money Back.
On Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6pm, Yates will be promoting his new advice compendium at the Billy Goat Tavern, 430 N. Michigan Ave., lower level. Go for the tips, stay for a burger.
— Megan E. Doherty
Watch the story of Carl Sandburg--his life and his work--at the Chicago premiere of Bonesteel Films' The Day Carl Sandburg Died. After the screening, Marc Smith, the founder of slam poetry, will discuss all things Sandburg with the filmmaker, Paul Bonesteel. Friday, January 6, at 7pm and Saturday, January 7, at 3pm at The Poetry Foundation (61 W. Superior St.). Reserve your spot for free!
— Emily Wong
This Friday, Eliza Frye signs her new graphic novel, Regalia, at Challengers Comics + Conversation. Regalia is a collection of short stories, one of which was nominated for an Eisner Award. Derik Badman of COMIXTALK says "Frye has a powerful style. I had an immediate, almost visceral reaction to the images." There will be a reading, a display of Frye's paintings and baked goods for refreshments. Challengers Comics + Conversation, 1845 N. Western, Friday, December 30 at 6pm.
— Rebecca Hyland
Next Tuesday, Young Chicago Authors starts the new year off with WordPlay 2.0: A Young Chicago Authors Open Mic & Workshop. There's a writing and performing workshop at 6pm followed by an open mic and featured artist at 7pm. The series will run once a month until April, with a new featured artist each month. January's featured artist is YCA Master Teaching Artist Idris Goodwin. At the YCA office, 1180 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Tuesday, January 3 at 6pm.
— Rebecca Hyland
If you don't want to go through their whole Top 5 list (though it's definitely worth it), here's the literature portion.
— Rose Lannin
Looking for a literary start to the new year? 2nd Story's NYE celebration can do just that. The experimental storytelling series has a packed lineup with guests Stephanie Chavara, Julie Ganey, Deb Lewis, and Doug Whippo. The event is curated by Bobby Biedrzycki, directed by Thrisa Hodits and sound by Seeking Wonderland.
Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 at the door) which includes a drink and a champagne toast. The festivities begin Dec 31st at 9:30pm at the Morseland 1218 W. Morse Ave.
— John Wawrzaszek
Leopold 'Lee' Froehlich, editor of Playboy, talks with the Chicago Reader about his history at the magazine, journalism, and the print vs. digital debate.
— Rose Lannin
The comic book artist pencils one of the author's new stories.
— Rose Lannin
In the spirit of the season, and of book clubs everywhere, enjoy these unique "Christmas trees." Happy Holidays from Gapers Block Book Club!
— Emily Wong
Here's the Tribune's local author picks from this year. Good for a (very) last-minute gift, a plane or train ride, or just to read.
— Rose Lannin
The Reading series Write Club is back in time for the holidays with an appropriate theme: The War on Christmas - Boxing Day Massacre. Like the series' name suggests, there are bouts between writers, each given an opposing idea:
GIVE (Ian Belknap) vs. RECEIVE (Jen Ellison)
NAUGHTY (Annie Kincade) vs. NICE (Bilal Dardai)
SANTA (Keith Ecker) vs. JESUS (Steve Walker)
This happens Tuesday Dec 27th, 7pm, $8 with all proceeds going to charities selected by the winner of each bout. As always its at the Hideout 1354 W. Wabansia.
— John Wawrzaszek
Graze is a literary magazine about food. Not reviews, recipes, or table settings, but stories and discussions surrounding the people who make it, the people who eat it (i.e. everyone), and what role it plays in our lives. Their next event will be in late January at the Hideout -- stay tuned for details.
— Rose Lannin
This Thursday, Richard Cahan and Michael Williams present their photo collection The Lost Panoramas: When Chicago Changed Its River and the Land Beyond at Barnes and Noble downtown. Barnes and Noble, DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Thursday, December 22 at 12pm.
— Rebecca Hyland
...will be on a brief hiatus now through next Friday. Happy Holidays!
— Rose Lannin
On Wednesday night a group of people--some strangers and some friends--gathered in the very cozy, very lovely apartment of Time Out food critic Julia Kramer. With her, they excavated moments of her life, from little girl-hood to now, via a few carefully selected books from her personal library. It's difficult to consider Kramer, or anyone else from the tightly packed group, a stranger now.
The intimate gathering is one of many to come as part of Sara Knox Hunter's new event series entitled, Hearth + Shelf. Knox Hunter will find one new host a month to open his or her home to groups like this one--anywhere from 10 to 20 people--and speak on any topic they choose using any books that work within it.
"I leave it to the host," Knox Hunter said. "It's a casual lecture--it's approachable and informative. There's a void in the real world for people who want to engage in in depth conversation about what they're reading and what they're interested in."
Knox Hunter aims to fill the same void with her newly created artist residency, Summer Forum for Inquiry and Exchange, which will have its first session in July of 2012. The weeklong escape centers around core texts to be assembled by a panel this winter in keeping with the week's theme, Community, Utopia, and the Individual Subject. Hearth + Shelf works to generate a similar text driven dialogue and taps into a certain voyeuristic urge another person's bookcase so often conjures.
"Every time you go into someone's house you love looking at their bookcase," Knox Hunter said. "It's a collection of their interests plastered on the wall."
Surprisingly, Julia Kramer's presentation entitled, "This Means Nothing to Me Now," involved little mention of food--save for the compliments she received for the sandwiches she prepared. Instead, the conversation centered on her relationship to the act of reading and literature itself at different stages in her life, and her tendency to abandon the passions that momentarily defined her. In this sense, the texts she chose were landmarks for significant shifts in her thinking through time.
"My older sister loved to read," Kramer said. "It defined her. So when I got to high school and we got closer, the only books I liked were the books she liked." We went on to read the Lawrence Ferrlinghetti poem, "I Am Waiting." "This poem exemplifies tonight's title more than anything else."
Kramer explained that until going to college she did not consider herself someone who enjoyed reading. Once a student at Pamona College, however, studying history and creative writing, things changed. She found she enjoyed reading female writers and attributed her former disinterest to the fact that she'd been exposed to mostly male writers to whom she didn't relate. The group read "How to Be An Other Woman," from Lorrie Moore's Self Help to illustrate this one of many stages in Kramer's life as a reader.
Hosts to come include comic artist Jeremy Tinder, founder of Featherproof Press, Zach Dodson, and co-director of InCUBATE, Abby Satinsky.
— Claire Glass
Chicago's punk reading series Neutron Bomb hits Saturday, December 17, with their mix of storytelling and live music. This month they welcome Lindsay Hunter (on Featherproof books), Dave Roche (On Subbing zine)
and Eliza Fogel (Columbia College Fiction Writing grad student)
There will be a stand-up comedian and live music by Daylight Robbery (male/female vox playing punk new wave).
Stroll in to Cal's Bar (400 S. Wells) at 7pm before it gets rowdy.
— John Wawrzaszek
The Chicago Way reading series welcomes New York Times bestselling author Frank Calabrese, Jr. reading from his book Operation Family Secrets. Following this will be a conversation regarding his experiences in organized crime, his role with the FBI, working with the Zimmerman Brothers to document his story, and his current lifestyle.
The series welcomes audience interactive with a quiz, prizes and a book signing.
It all happens December 18th, 7:30pm at the Hidden Shamrock, 2723 N. Halsted.
— John Wawrzaszek
This Friday, check out the Dollhouse Reading Series, a "casual, salon-style, Chicago-based BYOB reading series every six to seven weeks, because who doesn't love a good party with their poetry?" Held in a private residence ("and if that weirds you out, get over it"), the Dollhouse is hosted by Dolly Lemke and Stephen Danos. This week's featured readers include James Shea, Kelly Forsythe, Susan Yount and "virtual guest" Heather Christle. It all goes down Friday, December 16 at 1850 W. Belle Plaine Ave., #3, doors open at 7:30pm, reading at 8pm.
— Rebecca Hyland
After 30 years, Bookman's Alley in Evanston is set to close. Owner Roger Carlson cited advancing age and complications from a recent car accident as his reasons for his closing. "I'm not dead, I'm not even dying," he told the Chicago Sun-Times, "but circumstances dictate I say goodbye to the bookshop." The store will remain open if Carlson finds a new owner. Store is set to close in March, so plenty of time to soak up sales and get in some holiday shopping.
— Rebecca Hyland / Comments (1)
The Logan Square Literary Review drops their 9th issue in style with a reception at an art gallery in Humboldt Park (they support their neighboring communities). The cast of readers are contributors to the current issue. All past issues will be available for sale. Also, art work from the gallery will as well. Think about a one stop shop for some holiday gifts.
The event is free and open to the public Wednesday, December 14, 7pm Peanut Gallery 1000 N California ave.
— John Wawrzaszek
A new year is here early for Untoward Magazine who celebrates their one year anniversary.
To celebrate, they offer a packed lineup of local readers, including:
A D Jameson, Russ Woods, Meghan Lamb, James Tadd Adcox, Dan Shapiro, John Thurgood, Ben Tanzer, Samantha Irby, Lindsay Hunter, Chris Bower and Joshua Young.
Hosting will be magazine staffer Matt Rowan, P. Fanatics Reading series host Mason Johnson, and Jon Mau. Come out Wednesday December 14th, 7pm at Beauty Bar 1444 W Chicago Ave.
— John Wawrzaszek
Each year since it began in 1915, the Society of Midland Authors has granted awards to authors and poets with ties to the 12 Midwestern "heartland states." The contest is now underway for books published in 2011. While there is no entry fee and you don't have to be a member of the SMA to enter, do you have to have either been born in, currently live in, or have strong ties to one of the 12 Midland states. Your book must also have been published by a recognized publishing house — apologies to all you self-publishers out there.
Completed entry forms must be submitted by February 1, 2012, along with a copy of the book being submitted in that category. There are three judges per category, so that means each judge needs to get his or her own copy of the book and corresponding entry form (three judges, three forms, three books).
What are the categories, you say? Glad you asked. Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, Biography, Children's Fiction, Children's Nonfiction and Poetry.
Make sure you double-check the rules, and mail your entries to the right judges.
Questions? Comments? Contact competition manager Carol Jean Carlson at 773-504-8450.
— Megan E. Doherty
In connection with the Poetry Foundation's Beautiful Outsiders exhibition, this event features Poetry senior editor Don Share talking about how important design is when it comes to independent presses. The exhibition itself revolves around independent presses Black Sparrow, Burning Deck, and Fulcrum and their histories and aesthetics. The talk takes place at The Poetry Foundation (61 W. Superior) on December 14 at 6pm, first-come, first-served. And free!
— Emily Wong
P. Fanatics reading series leaves you hearing double as their December show offers only team ups (the kind you find in comic books).
Pairs will feature the series hosts Daniel Shapiro with Mason Johnson, Russ Woods with Christopher Kelly, Ian Belknap with Samantha Irby, a presentation by Jill Summers with Susie Kirkwood, and the Encyclopedia show's Tim Stafford with Robbie Q. Telfer.
Bring a friend so you don't feel out of place Sunday, December 11, 7:30pm at Cole's Bar 2338 N Milwaukee Ave.
— John Wawrzaszek
— Rose Lannin
A Long Walk Home, an art therapy based organization designed to combat violence against women, kicked off in 2003 after one of its founders, Scheherazade Tillet, learned that her sister (and soon-to-be co-founder) had been the victim of rape. She set out to capture the stages of her sister's recovery through photography, which lead the sisters to direct a play and ultimately found the group. A Long Walk Home's young leaders compiled and helped to write We Are Girl/Friends! Art on Community Violence, Justice, and Healing, which they hope will become a central text in their mission to expose and dismantle tendencies towards violence against women and girls. The book's release party will be going on tomorrow at the Newberry Library located at 60 W. Walton Street from 12 to 2P.M.
— Claire Glass
This year's holiday edition of Poetry Off the Shelf will feature Nicholas Rudall reading Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales." Other seasonal poems, both old and new, will be read by Chicago actors, directed by Second City founder Bernard Sahlins. After the performance, enjoy a small reception (with refreshments!). There are two performances scheduled, at the Poetry Foundation (61 W. Superior): December 11 and 12 at 7pm.
— Emily Wong
Tomorrow, Columbia College's student reading series Silver Tongue welcomes author Tao Lin.
He will be lecturing on his new column "drug-related photoshop art" for Vice magazine. Afterwards, participants from the audience will be called up to take part in an interactive conversation with the author. The event is at 618 S. Michigan, 2nd floor, Stage Two, at 6pm, and is free and open to the public.
— John Wawrzaszek
The Encyclopedia Show returns with their December show themed Xtreme Sports. Appropriately, entertainment will feature an interview with professional mixed martial artist fighter Shonie Carter. There will be a presentation from Anne Elizabeth Moore (zinester and author of Cambodian Grrrl) on the appropriation of skateboard culture. Plus Susan McLaughlin-Karp (BoyGirlBoyGirl) on the Iditarod, Jamila Woods (National Poetry Slam Finalist) on Kobayashi's Retirement, Dominique James (Louder Than a Bomb Champion) on Murderball, Natalie Edwards (local writer on Nickelodeon Guts and Guybrush Taylor (visual artist) on Extreme Ironing!
This all happens Thursday Dec 8th, at the Theater (1012 N. Noble), 7:30pm, $8 gets you in the door.
— John Wawrzaszek
Reading Under the Influence returns tonight, 7pm. This historical date, "a day that will live in infamy", lends itself to this month's theme: Infamy. Featured readers are Dennis Frymire (SKALD storytelling champion), Cyn Vargas, Brandon Will (worker at The Book Cellar) and Ray Lumpp (a RUI co-host). All will read original work and then host trivia segments. Stop by RUI in the back room at Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. $3.
— John Wawrzaszek
Tomorrow night is the next Reading Under the Influence at Sheffield's. Featured readers are Dennis Frymire, Cyn Vargas, Brandon Will, and RUI co-host Ray Lumpp. The theme, in honor of Pearl Harbor Day, is "infamy." $3 cover. Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave., Wednesday, December 7. Readings are in the back room and begin at 7:30pm; get there early for a seat.
— Rebecca Hyland
This Thursday (if you can't make it to the Gapers Block book discussion 'cuz your bike has a flat), Greg Borzo and John Greenfield will be reading from their contributions to On Bicycles: 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life at Cole's in Logan Square. Gary Fisher himself says "[editor] Amy Walker has that canny ability to thread the needle of safety, practicality, and looking mightily good on a bike. This book gives you some bright and clever new tools to experience the exceptional convenience a bike can bring, not to mention that big healthy smile we get riding!" Cole's, 2338 N. Milwaukee, Thursday, December 8 at 8pm.
— Rebecca Hyland
The last 2011 monthly and oh so legendary So You Think You Have Nerves of Steel happens tonight at 8pm. This edition is more musical than most. They will have a house band, Good Evening, and as always host Harold Ray will croon for your entertainment.
Writer Jac Jemc will read, enjoy some stand-up by Natalie Edwards, a pairing surprise by Mason Johnson & Daniel Shapiro, and more.
The series is always at the Hungry Brain, 2319 W. Belmont.
— John Wawrzaszek
This theatrical performance is inspired by poet Anna Kamienska's "Notebooks" and brings together text, music, and dance to spotlight the work of making art. All Your Paths in a Single Pocket runs for three more days, December 8-10 at 7:30 at the Poetry Foundation (61 W. Superior). Admission is free but first-come, first-served!
— Emily Wong
— Rose Lannin
We're all told not to "judge a book by its cover" from a very young age, and though it's an appropriate warning to young readers, the book is usually a metaphor for something else. During last night's edition of Artists at Work, entitled, "What makes a beautiful (and marketable) book?" books were definitely books, and listeners learned to toss that aging adage out the window.
The panel discussion was held at the Cultural Center, and moderated by the head of Publishing Industry Programs for the Department of Culture and Tourism, Danielle Chapman. The prestigious panel ran the gamut from a marketing expert to those on the creative end; Design Director for the MCA James Goggin; University of Chicago Press Marketing Manager Ellen Gibson; and founder of Stepsister Press, artist, and book designer, Annie Heckman weighed in on the fundamental importance of book design.
Heckman projected multiple covers for Albert Camus' The Stranger to highlight the role a book designer plays in selectively relaying content to potential readers, or at times withholding everything.
"You're a translator, translating the interior world of the book," Heckman said. "You work with the author directly on their vision, and then there's the moment that someone sees it and wants to pick it up. You're a translator between these two sides."
In one cover of The Stranger displayed on the projector, the designer chose to focus on the quality of the translation, while another featured a drawing of a man on a beach, depicting the narrator at a pivotal moment. Heckman pointed out that these choices are about the audience the particular publisher is looking to attract.
Goggin described his methods for developing cover concepts while working in the design department at Random House. While freelancing, he said he insisted on reading every book he was assigned to design, much to the surprise of many of his colleagues.
"The crucial starting point is to read the book," Goggin said. "Then I would search for the little detail [for the cover] that two thirds in, the reader would understand. It must be inviting to pick up in the first place, and in this way, the form is the function."
The conversation turned to technology with digital printing. Gibson discussed the Print on Demand side of digital printing using the example of Academically Adrift, which received loads of attention after having posited that children no longer really learn anything in school. The unexpected high demand for the book, Gibson said, hammered home the potentials of on demand printing.
"Our print on demand facility works well for books that have gone out of print," she said. "It also helped us meet customer demand with Academically Adrift. We sold out immediately but we were able to get books in customers' hands."
Goggin added to the discussion noting that digital printing is inexpensive compared to offset printing, which requires pricey plates. He said it is a particularly useful avenue for self-publishers who cannot afford traditional print methods.
Such changes, all three agreed, alter their respective roles. Goggin mentioned having a publisher question his book design based on its effectiveness when viewed in miniature on Amazon.com. No matter the medium, Heckman said there is a special equilibrium that book designers seek.
"There's an expectation that is should stand out, like junk mail," Heckman said. "Junk mail shouts at you. On the other hand, there's a possibility of picking a book up and having no idea what it's about. It's a balancing act."
— Claire Glass
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Book Club is the literary section of Gapers Block, covering Chicago's authors, poets and literary events. More...
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