Talking to “Locked Down, Locked Out” author Maya Schenwar

Maya Schenwar is Editor-in-Chief of Truthout – an independent social justice news website – and the author of the recent book Locked Down, Locked Out: Why Prison Doesn’t Work and How We Can Do Better.  On Monday, March 7th, she will discuss her book when she visits EPL as part of the special program Unlocking America: How to Change Our Broken Prison System.  Cosponsored by Chicago Books to Women in Prison and Cabrini Green Legal Aid, the program will also feature Dr. Crystal T. Laura who joins Schenwar to explore the impact of prison on families and advocate for a sweeping overhaul of our criminal justice system.  In anticipation of this important discussion, we recently spoke with Schenwar via email about how her sister’s incarceration inspired her activism, the goal of “decarceration,” the crucial work of community groups like Curt’s Cafe, and how to achieve true lasting safety.

Get a Clue! Mystery and Suspense Author Panel

You’re invited to join us Saturday, October 22, 2:00 – 3:30pm, for a panel of four local mystery and suspense authors. David Heinzmann, Michael Dymmoch, Luisa Buehler, and Diane Piron-Gelman (pen name: D. M. Pirrone) will discuss their writing process, inspiration, and recent projects. A paperback exchange and book sale will follow.  Refreshments will be served. Registration is not required. Community Meeting Room (1st floor). Questions?  Contact Genevieve Guran at 847-448-8618.

Erik Larson in Chicago 5-23-11, Other Authors Arriving

Author Erik Larson will be appearing at three locations in the Chicago area tomorrow and Tuesday. His latest work is “In the Garden of Beasts,” about an American family taking a year abroad during the Nazi era (see review of book).  I recommend checking the first link for other upcoming author visits. Keep an eye out for Steve Berry and Justin Cronin.

Shira S.

“The Bridge” author, David Remnick, at Harold Washington Library

David Remnick will discuss aspects of his latest publication, The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama, at Chicago’s Harold Washington Public Library. Remnick is an editor at The New Yorker, and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for his book, Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire.

Random House – Authors | Author Events  David Remnick: CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY 400 S STATE ST … Chicago, IL 60611 312.799.5317 4/15/2010.

Susan M./RA

Colm Toibin’s, “Brooklyn” One Book, One Chicago

One Book, One Chicago

Inaugurated in the fall of 2001, the One Book, One Chicago program is launched each spring and fall to cultivate a culture of reading and discussion in Chicago by bringing our diverse city together around one great book.

Reading great literature provokes us to think about ourselves, our environment and our relationships. Talking about great literature with friends, families and neighbors often adds richness and depth to the experience of reading. 
 Selected Spring 2010Brooklyn byColm Tóibín
Resource Guide (HTML)  

PDF Version (6.19 MB)