Jenny Allen’s Shouts & Murmurs, collected
The word "monologue" comes from late Greek "monologos" for "speaking alone." But the secret to a good monologue — and to being a good monologist, of course — lies in...
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Illinois native — convicted murderer with writing degree — pens book from prison
Most books' publication dates fall on Tuesdays — that's just the industry standard. So the fact that Curtis Dawkins' debut story collection, "The Graybar Hotel," had July 4 as its...
Inspired by Maurice Sendak, Julia Glass’ latest novel eloquently explores intimacy
In 2002, Julia Glass won the National Book Award with her debut novel, "Three Junes." She's been busy since then, publishing four more novels between 2006 and 2014. Now, with...
‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’: Arundhati Roy’s long-awaited new novel is grand and perplexing
The upside of writing a breakout debut novel, of course, is becoming a best-seller and a literary household name; the downside, at least for many authors, is being put in...
Review: ‘House of Names’ by Colm Toibin
Can the violence of the old Greek myths still shock us? Teach us? Hold our interest? In his 11th novel, "House of Names," Irish novelist Colm Toibin attempts to find...
Chicagoan, Neo-Futurist alumna Jessica Anne debuts new book
If you've ever had the pleasure of seeing lifelong Chicagoan and Neo-Futurist alumna Jessica Anne perform, then you know that her voice — the physical instrument by which she makes...
Patricia Lockwood’s memoir, ‘Priestdaddy,’ is smart, funny and irreverent
Last summer, the Pew Research Center released a study showing that for the first time, more 18- to 34-year-olds live at home with their parents than in any other arrangement....
‘Footnotes from the World’s Greatest Bookstores’ captures indie spirit
Bob Eckstein is a New Yorker cartoonist, a snowman expert and a passionate aficionado of local, independent bookshops. His intelligent and evocative book "Footnotes from the World's Greatest Bookstores" offers,...
Review: ‘Tell Me How It Ends’ lays bare the tragedy of child migrant crisis
So much of the appeal of truly brilliant creative writing can be explained by the saying, "It's not what you say, but how you say it," and the way that...
Kevin Coval offers the poetry of ‘A People’s History of Chicago’
Defining the function of literature can be a tricky thing to do without sounding pompous or stoned or both, but Joseph Conrad offered this: "By the power of the written...