Someone somewhere decided this week was National Volunteer Week; its aim is to recognize the millions of people who volunteer their time, talent and energy to strengthen their communities worldwide. We weren’t able to find many local National Volunteer Week events, but that’s no matter. We still thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight some of our favorite literacy organizations in the city that depend heavily on volunteers. more ›

After last week's tease of warm weather, it feels especially disappointing out. And we aren’t the only ones getting cabin fever. If you’re looking to get the kids out of the house, here are a few upcoming literary events that might peak their interest: more ›

A fundraiser for Howard Brown Health Center and a half-off sale in this roundup. more ›

The first of November marks the start of an international event in which thousands of writers around the world vow to do something kind of ridiculous: write a 50,000-word novel in one month. National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is rare in the creative world because it stresses quantity over quality: “Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap,” the event’s website says. “And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.” more ›

We love it when we can eat great food and do a little bit of good at the same time. Branch 27 has teamed up with Open Books, an organization that promotes reading and literacy, to offer some special meals. On Thursday nights, Chef John Manion will prepare a special "Open-Branch" menu. If patrons choose to try this three-course fixed price meal, a portion of the proceeds will go to Open Books. There is also an Open-Branch wine flight available, and part of the cost of that will also be donated. more ›

Catch up with the places to read and be seen on the literary scene with our rundown of local events centered around all things written. more ›

• Tonight, Award-winning journalist, Daniel P. Smith, discusses On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department at the Lincoln Belmont CPL Branch. Writing from personal experience, (six of his family members were Chicago police officers) Smith shares the honest and thought provoking stories of those who carry the Chicago Police star. Get more info here. He'll also be participating in the Newberry Library Seminar Series on Saturday titled Compelling Stories, Verifiable Facts: Getting the Best of Both Worlds." Purchase tickets here.
• Elizabeth Rosner will be reading from her novel Blue Nude at Open Books on Wednesday. The story examines the relationship between an "emotionally and creatively starved artist and his muse," both of whom are tormented by the Holocaust and its aftermath. Get more info here.
• Remember the Book Bike? Every weekend, Gabriel Levinson and his custom-built Book Bike venture into city parks to give away new and used novels to locals. Earlier this year, Levinson got in a permit tiff with the Chicago Park District, but when the Chicago Public Library offered their blessing, Levinson was able to continue operating without paying for the expensive permit. On Thursday, Heavemedia.com is partnering with Levinson to raise money for the Book Bike. Chicago musicians Sad Brad, Adam Fitz, and Stephen Paul Smoker will be playing the event at the Empty Bottle. Buy tickets here.
• This month’s Encyclopedia Show theme is Civil Wars. Hosts Robbie Q. Telfer and Shanny Jean Maney will bring together an eclectic mix of music, poetry, visual art and spoken words all about Civil Wars. Check out the long list of talent bringing their bodies, minds, songs, etc. to this month’s show and get more info here.
• Are you a fan of Awkward Family Photos? Ever come across your middle school diary? Is your adolescent past as laugh-worthy as it is cringe-worthy? Go to Mortified Thursday. Witness adults telling stories about their lives by sharing their own adolescent journals, letters, poems, lyrics, plays, home movies, and art. Get more info here.
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We cracked open our Sunday Trib yesterday to see a column by Julia Keller titled “As Lit Fest nears, a query: What's the future of books?” And we realized that the Printers Row Lit Fest just snuck up on us. For months, we’ve been hearing about the mind-blowing number of authors, booksellers, publishers, literacy organizations and even chefs who will be squeezed into five Printers Row neighborhood blocks on June 12 and 13. Most authors we’ve highlighted in the Chicagoist Chicago Author Spotlight series will be present. Actually, almost everyone we’ve spoken to in regards to writing, publishing and reading in Chicago will have a booth or an event. more ›

There's a whole lot of lit events going on this week. We highlight several worth checking out. more ›

Open Books, 213 W Institute Pl., 6:30 p.m., free more ›

Columbia College, 916 South Wabash Building, room 150, 7 p.m., free more ›

We picked up this little beauty over the weekend at Open Books, the cool River North bookstore we told you about back in January. Printed in 1957 by the Peter Pauper Press of Mt. Vernon, New York, Aquavit to Zombie is a mini-encyclopedia of spirits and drink recipes compiled by Peter Beilenson with charming illustrations by Ruth McCrea. We were curious to see how one of the recipes would stand up, so we made ourselves a gin fix. more ›

This week's literary events aren't all readings by stuffy authors you've never heard of. Read on for details about mustaches, $1 book sales, and teen slam poets. more ›

Special To Chicagoist By Betsy Mikel more ›

While some of us at Chicagoist are more exhibitionist than a Kim Kardashian sex tape, we can all get behind the new public service campaign from non-profit social venture Open Books. more ›

Vinyl nerds, be warned. The 7th annual CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights is upon us—and this year’s media blitz complete with music, magazines, posters, and more will fill your arms with loads of entertainment and eye candy to last all summer long. Founded by the folks at CHIRP, a non-profit organization that aims to bring a new independent radio station to Chicago, this year’s event has a brand new location—the Chicago Journeymen’s Plumber’s Union. more ›

213 W. Institute Place, October 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. more ›

Is there a better way than to validate your Monday night drinking than by combining it with donating to a literacy program? more ›

Chicagoist loves Stuart Dybek, from back before he received his "genius grant" and now even more so. Continuing with our coverage, Dybek will be speaking tonight at the Chicago History Museum with Donna Seaman of Open Books, as part of their Chicago Treasures series. Chicago Treasures focuses on the symbiotic Chicagoans who define the city and whose work is likewise defined by Chicago. Tonight, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.,... more ›

We here at Chicagoist just get all tickled inside, if a little bit conflicted, when we get to tell you about multiple great literary events happening in the same evening. Tomorrow night gives the local literatista (why yes, we do love making up words!) not one but two opportunities for some non-traditional literary edification--both lubricated with a little bit of beer and and a lot of the sweet, sweet pleasure of philanthropy. more ›