Bookworms, rejoice—Chicago is a haven for readers of all kinds. This month, if you’re looking for a new page-turner, want to chat about your favorite book or just want to see how some of the country’s most famous authors once lived, check out these top events and things to do for the literary-minded.
1. Join a book club. This city is full of meetups for all ages and genre preferences. Check out the book clubs hosted by City Lit, Women & Children First or Roscoe Books, for starters.
2. Go to Poetry Off the Shelf. This weekly series brings actress and poet Amber Tamblyn to Chicago to read from her newest book, Dark Sparkler, on March 17.
3. Hear from local author Stuart Dybek. The acclaimed Chicago writer will read from some of his best works, many of which talk about growing up in Pilsen and Little Village, at Dominican University on March 17.
4. Attend an open mic. From tales of embarrassment and horror at You’re Being Ridiculous on the Mayne Stage to the Moth's StorySLAM series, you won't be disappointed by these storytellers.
5. Teach someone to read. You can volunteer for an organization like Literacy Chicago, which teaches adults and foreign speakers how to read.
6. Hang out in one of the city’s libraries. The Harold Washington Library is a favorite downtown with nine floors of books and a small museum. Hang out and read for awhile or check out the library’s calendar of events, including open mics. Or, check out the Poetry Foundation Library.
7. Get a taste of poetry over lunch. Speaking of the Poetry Foundation, poet Helene Achanzar reads here during this noontime series on March 30.
8. Go on the Devil in the White City tour. Why not sign up for this three-hour bus tour inspired by the best-selling novel?
9. Tour the Ernest Hemingway Museum in Oak Park. See where the famous author's life began, just a short drive from the city.
