This week, just for "guest", Chicagoist decided to tie this installment of the "Buffet" into Lollapalooza. We also have an update on Bell's, some other newsworthy items, and the usual complement of events. - A forum thread started at Beer Advocate earlier this week asked the million-dollar question: When is Bell's coming back to Illinois? Standing out among the speculation was a reply from Larry Bell himself. Bell told the forum that he's been talking... more ›

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. We were so busy between scouring the Printer’s Row Book Fair and lounging at the Chicago Blues Fest that we almost forgot to pick just one book for this month, in fact, we couldn’t and had to let fate, otherwise known as the Post Office, decide. You guys had some pretty awesome suggestions and we almost thought there would be a throw down over whose author was more prestigious... more ›

“I promise you, this story is going some place. I’m not simply blogging,” said author Erik Larson at the Printers Row Book Fair, which was in full swing today. more ›

It's a less cumbersome title than "Your Friday Food Buffet," don't you think? Good, because that's what we're calling "YFFB" from now on. On to business: - "What is Understood Need Not Be Discussed": That about describes our opinion of Ribfest Chicago 2007 this weekend. We'll leave it at that. - Practical Applications: Printers Row Book Fair is also happening this weekend. Presenting sponsor the Tribune has a full slate of demonstrations and discussions related... more ›

We’re gearing up for the weekend and to see some of our favorite authors at the Printers Row Book Fair. We thought we’d tell you who we’re planning on seeing, but remember there are a gajillion more events; so make sure you check the schedule; there’s much too much to even fathom. more ›

MySpace takes a lot of heat over being a haven for online predators and really ugly HTML coding. But without it, we wouldn’t have found out about a kickass music sale. more ›

It’s always hard to come back after a three-day weekend and be hopeful. But here are a few things that let us know the world is going to be okay: more ›

. McClelland, a staff writer for the Chicago Reader, is the Seabiscuit of horseplayers: people who make a living (or not) at betting on horse races, what McClelland calls "the most mathematically unforgiving form of gambling in the world." more ›

Hey, remember those elementary school book fairs, when you got to skip math for the day and go to the library to stock up on the Berenstain Bears and, later, Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume? Chicagoist does, which is why we’re so excited for this weekend’s Printer’s Row Book Fair. Billed as the “largest free literary event in the Midwest,” the Printer’s Row Book Fair is the ultimate book fair for grown-ups and kids... more ›

It’s a well-established fact that Chicagoist is a big nerd. And it’s also well established that nerds like books. So by the transitive property, Chicagoist likes books. Especially when said books are written by (or associated with) the fine folks at McSweeney’s. Having enjoyed Dave Eggers’s work as well as the various collections released under the McSweeney’s banner, we’re pretty stoked about his upcoming book tour with his younger brother Toph (immortalized in Eggers’s quasi-memoir A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) which starts right here in Chicago Friday night at 7 PM. (Yeah, stoked. We mentioned the nerd thing, right?) more ›

Chicagoist's friend Rachel Kramer Bussel is doing a reading for her book, Up All Night: Adventures in Lesbian Sex, on June 6th at 6 p.m at Early to Bed. Join Rachel, along with Heidi Cowgirl, for some very naughty and very true bedtime stories from this anthology recently published by Alyson. more ›

Chicago's busy festival season kicks off this weekend with the Milwaukee Avenue Block Party in Wicker Park on Saturday and the Windy City Hemp Fest in Montrose Park on Saturday & Sunday. Chicagoist has tickets to the Ravinia Festival and is also looking forward to the Printers Row Book Fair, Taste of Chicago, the Outdoor Film Festival, the 21st Annual Chicago Blues Festival and the 26th Annual Chicago Jazz Fest. more ›

The Printers Row Book Fair is the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest and is taking place in June 5 - 6 in Chicago's historic Printers Row neighborhood. The list of over 100 authors scheduled to appear include Chuck Palahniuk, Dave Eggers, Gish Jen, James Atlas, and Oprah's personal chef, Art Smith. Each of these authors are asked to remain at the fair at least one hour after their event to sign copies of their books. more ›