Book Reviews, News & Best-Sellers - Chicago Tribune

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Biblioracle: If they didn’t already exist, public libraries would never be established in today’s America

For one, belief in institutions, in general, is at an all-time low ebb. There also seems to be an overall lack of communal spirit.

Author, disability activist and actor Susan Nussbaum dies, after a career of pushing boundaries

In person, on stage or on the page, Susan Nussbaum was a delight, a ferociously talented actor, writer and passionate disability rights activist.

Suburban author pens illustrated homage to Patrick Swayze with ‘Essential Teachings from the Master of the Mullet’

Some may want to move like Jagger, but writer Neal Fischer believes more want to get in touch with the Swayze swagger.

Column: The Biblioracle turns to ‘literary comfort food’ when things go haywire

These books can fill the reader with a feeling of warmth and contentment, the literary equivalent of meatloaf or mac and cheese.

Column: Reading ‘In Praise of Good Bookstores,’ it’s hard not to feel both nostalgia and concern

Jeff Deutsch's book is for anyone who thinks of bookstores not as retail businesses but as sacred spaces. His own is Chicago’s Seminary Co-op Bookstores.

Dick Simpson’s latest book looks at democracy through a Chicago lens. He shares thoughts on corruption and making our democracy better.

University of Illinois Chicago professor Dick Simpson's new book "Democracy’s Rebirth: The View From Chicago" centers on political action, ethics, and politics. He offers a blueprint for reform centered on a reengaged, fully enfranchised electorate, a reinvigorated middle class, a narrowing of socioeconomic and racial divides, and strengthening of transparency, fairness and civic responsibility in our society.

Photographer’s Chicago book is ‘Faces of Homelessness’: ‘I’m not just telling about people’s suffering, I’m trying to make these beautiful portraits’

Jeffrey Wolin photographed and interviewed a wide swath of this vulnerable population in Chicago and Los Angeles to dispel stereotypes.

Jeffrey Wolin talks about his latest book project, "Faces of Homelessness"

Column: Keep your eye on ‘The Trees’: The Biblioracle gives odds for this year’s Pulitzer Prize winner

As always, please, no wagering. If you really could bet on the Pulitzer outcome, you shouldn’t listen to me or anyone else. Unless it turns out I’m right, in which case I’m a genius.

Column: The Biblioracle says there’s inspiration to be found in the lives (and memoirs) of comedians

This thought came to me after recently finishing Bob Odenkirk’s memoir, “Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama.”

A South Side ER doctor wrote ‘Emergency’ about COVID’s first year — and the time his own hospital failed his mother

“We had been waiting for the virus to appear in our ER, but when it did, a heavy pall still fell on the department.”

Another Chicago book? Yes indeed, ‘A History Lover’s Guide’ spans the city’s birth to our cemeteries.

Local author Greg Borzo's new book skips the deep dish pizza and tourist stuff but not the libraries, and the Tribune Tower earns a special mention.

Column: Biblioracle goes on a blind book date to shake things up

Often seen at independent bookstores, books are wrapped in brown paper, with only the genre and a few words describing the content.

Ana Castillo gets Chicago Literary Hall of Fame award for contributions as author, activist and educator

Ana Castillo is a distinguished poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist, editor, playwright, translator and independent scholar.

Last picture show, for real: New book has gorgeous photos from the long fade of movie palaces, including in Chicago

In “Movie Theaters,” French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre splay open the crumbling corpses of cinemas that closed.

Deerfield author’s book to be adapted into movie produced by and starring Sharon Stone

Lisa Barr’s latest novel, “Woman on Fire,” was just released on March 1, and it has already drawn extensive critical acclaim. Even more exciting for the Deerfield author is the news that actor Sharon Stone is going to produce and star in the film version.

Mikki Kendall to end Women’s History Month with ‘Voices for Justice’ virtual event at Chicago Public Library

As Women’s History Month comes to an end, Mikki Kendall hopes Chicago willbcare about all the women who make Chicago great.

Column: ‘Foreverland’ is Heather Havrilesky’s new memoir on marriage, and it’s breaking peoples’ brains

Don’t be like the panelists on “The View” and react based on a handful of out-of-context quotes. Read “Foreverland" for yourself.

Amazon’s bookstore in Lakeview is closing — ‘Boo-hoo’ and don’t let the algorithms hit you on the way out

Amazon Books sat between a Capital One branch and a Free People clothing store, which is where Amazon Books also spiritually resided.

‘Chili Dog MVP’ takes us back to the time Dick Allen electrified Chicago and the White Sox stayed in town

This is a wonder of a book, giving long-overdue justice to Dick Allen, who stands among the great characters in Chicago history.

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