Chicagoist ♥s Books With Local Ties

By Rachelle Bowden in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 22, 2005 4:12PM

Last week the Chicagoist office received 3 books to add to the "Local" shelf of our staff library. One is written by a Chicagoan, one takes place in Chicago, and one is both written by a local and takes place here.

Elizabeth Crane is originally from NYC, but now lives in Chicago and teaches writing at Northwestern's School of Continued Studies. Her new book, All This Heavenly Glory, is a collection of stories that span the life of Charlotte Ann Byers, from a junior-high-school fashion crisis to her best friend's betrayal, from substance abuse to recovery, from dating fiascos to the perfect relationship, and finally the illness and slow death of a parent. Whew. Sounds like we'll be able to relate to just a few of these.

Gods in Alabama is a new book by Joshilyn Jackson. It's main character, Alene Fleet moves to Chicago and makes 3 promises to God: she'll stop shagging every boy she meets, she'll never tell another lie, and she'll never return to her hometown of Possett, Alabama. This book is supposed to be really funny and have some crazy plot twists so it seems like one that will hold on to even our short attention spans.

Finally, a book that's both written by a Chicagoan and takes place here.. The Week You Weren't Here by Charles Blackstone. This book has Hunter Flanagan, who has a knack for recalling every small detail in his life, navigating through his past and present, simultaneously analyzing, deconstructing and torturing himself with memories of every girl he's lost or loved. Blackstone is an instructor at the University of Chicago's Graham School of General Studies and will be doing a reading at Quimby's next week. Catch him there (1824 W. North) on April 30th at 7pm.