Samantha Irby Reads From Her New Book At Reading Under The Influence Tonight

By Lisa White in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 2, 2013 3:20PM

Bitches gotta eat, bitches gotta write, bitches gotta get published and be a literary force to be reckoned with in Chicago. So is the life of Samantha Irby, the Chicago author with a silver tongue and no qualms about discussing all the uncomfortable underbelly of adulthood that makes lesser humans cringe.

Irby gained a devoted following on her candid blog Bitches Gotta Eat, where she discusses numerous aspects of her life in the most candid fashion. A lot of it revolves around dating and sex (her tagline is “tacos. hot dudes. diarrhea. jams”), but what sets Irby apart is how she writes. Her style is aggressive, blunt, and side cramp inducing funny. Her writing is so honest that you can’t help but nod your head in solidarity when she perfectly captures a feeling or situation similar to your own. It’s like having on hand personal essays from a best friend; familiar and comfortable all while able to inspire a confidence through female solidarity. Samantha Irby has been there ladies, and she will tell you exactly how it is.

Thanks to the success of her blog, local independent publishers Curbside Splendor took notice and has worked with Irby on her first book. Meaty, a collection of essays, was released yesterday, and will be used in Barnes & Noble’s Discover Great New Writers series this month.

To celebrate the release Irby will be reading tonight at RUI: Reading Under the Influence. The popular reading series combines a theme, drinking and live reading from some of the best local authors. The theme this evening is “Firsts.” RUI is in the back room at Sheffield’s (3258 N. Sheffield Ave.). The series is 21+ and there is a $3 cover. Readings start at 7:30 p.m. You can buy your own copy of Meaty directly from Curbside Splendor or pick it up at your local Barnes & Noble store.