As she left the Oak Park Public Library on Jan. 8, Amanda Hatfield, 32, of Oak Park, stopped to answer a few questions for the Oak Leaves.
Q: What brought you into the library today?
A: Pleasure reading and I’m in a book club, so I had to get the next book.
Q: What’s the book?
A: “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter. I really don’t know much about it but I hope I like it.
Q: Any other notable book club picks lately?
A: “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance. I only got through a little bit. It’s nonfiction, and I like fiction better. It didn’t grab me.
Q: Favorite local restaurant?
A: Cucina Paradiso.
Q: Favorite dish there?
A: It’s called Shells. I was just there the other night.
Q: Any pets?
A: A cat. She’s a girl, Mia. She’s a European shorthair. She’s tiger-striped and quite fat.
Q: Travel destination of choice?
A: Probably Scotland. My husband is from there, so I’ve been several times. It’s pretty cool.
Q: Hidden gem of Oak Park or River Forest?
A: My favorite place is the Beer Shop, although it’s not hidden.
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Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.