Friday 9/26: It’s Banned Books Week, and City Lit Books celebrates in a big way by inviting local writers and high school students to read passages from banned masterpieces. Some of the readings will be accompanied by music. 6:30 p.m.
Unabridged Books hosts “Exploring Creative Nonfiction,” an evening of reading and discussion with three practitioners of the genre, Megan Stielstra, Dmitry Samarov, and Wendy Ortiz. Wine and light refreshments will be provided. You can also go to their Facebook page and request Red or White. 7 p.m.
Amina Gautier comes to Women and Children First Books to read from her second short story collection, Now We Will Be Happy. Gautier has won numerous awards for her short stories, including the Prairie Schooner Book Prize and the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. She’s the real deal. Come catch her before she goes back to her teaching job at the U. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 9/27: The Newberry Library hosts a Meet the Author Event with journalist Michael Blanding, in promotion of his book The Map Thief, an account of an antiquarian map dealer turned criminal. In 2006 E. Forbes Smiley was found guilty of stealing maps valued in the millions, including maps from the Newberry. He’s since been released from prison. Blanding has written long-form narratives for several national publications. 1 p.m.
John Porcellino celebrates the release of his new graphic novel, The Hospital Suite, at Quimby’s. There’ll also be a screening of Root Hog or Die, a documentary charting the history of King-Cat Comics. 7 p.m.
Sunday 9/28: 826CHI hosts Tale-Gate, a literary street fest at The Hideout. Among the great events is an exhibition bout from Ian Belknap’s Write Club. All proceeds from the fest benefit 826CHI’s free programming for the city’s youth. 1-5:30 p.m.
Marc Kelly Smith hosts the original slam poetry showcase, The Uptown Poetry Slam, at the Green Mill. There’s always a featured guest, but it’s never really advertised ahead of time. Don’t get on Smith’s case about it, either—he’s not someone to be messed with. The show’s professional and always a good time, though. 7 p.m.
Tuesday 9/30: The national live lit phenomenon, StorySLAM, is at Martyrs’ presenting stories on the theme “Do-Over.” If you get there late, you might get in, but you’ll stand the whole time. Doors open at 6; stories start at 8 p.m.
Wednesday 10/1: 57th Street Books hosts Donal Ryan and his recently released novel, The Thing About December. Ryan is an acclaimed Irish author and resides in the great city of Limerick, Ireland. Catch him before he goes back across the pond. 6 p.m.
Thursday 10/2: Story Club North Side returns to Holiday Club on the theme “Cold Comfort,” featuring Jeremy Owens, Parker Stockman, and Elizabeth Gomez. Open mic sign ups start at 7:30, and there are three open mic slots. Show starts at 8 p.m.
