Friday 5/1: Nami Mun, Alec Nevala-Lee, Vu Tran, and Wailin Wong read at Open Books in a Celebration of Asian American Writers. Co-presented with the Chicago Writers Conference, 6 p.m.
The Poetry Foundation hosts a First Friday gallery reception for The Chicago 77. The poem, created by Fatimah Asghar, Krista Franklin, Fo Wilson, and Jamila Woods, is comprised of found text and objects. 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
This month’s Interview Show features Rebecca Makkai, Eryn Allen Kane, Mike Danforth and Ian Chilling, and Steve Walten and Rush Howell in conversation with Mark Bazer. $10 at Hideout, 6:30 p.m.
Join Alicia Swiz at Women & Children First to talk about feminism! All ages are welcome, but parents and teens in particular are encouraged to attend. $10 suggested donation, 7 p.m.
Saturday 5/2: Hooray! It’s Independent Bookstore Day! 57th Street Books, The Book Cellar, City Lit Books, Open Books River North, Open Books Pilsen, Powell’s Bookstore University Village, Roscoe Books, Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, Seminary Co-op Bookstore, Unabridged Bookstore, Uncharted Books, and Women & Children First will celebrate with readings, raffles, and more (we’ve heard that there will be cake). Head to each of the participating stores to collect an exclusive copy of Stuart Dybek and Dimitry Samarov’s illustrated chapbook page by page.
Hey! There will be popcorn at Quimby’s, because it’s also Free Comic Book Day! Challengers Comics + Conversation welcomes Tom Scioli and Gene Ha.
Olvido García Valdés and Héctor Carreto read at the Poetry Foundation as part of Poesía en Abril, an annual festival that honors bilingual work. Co-sponsored by contratiempo, Instituto Cervantes, and DePaul University, 7 p.m.
Monday 5/4: May the 4th be with you (and Jeffrey Brown) at the Book Cellar, 4 p.m.
Open Books River North kicks off a week-long sale in anticipation of their move to the West Loop.
Tuesday 5/5: The Blondes author Emily Schultz reads from her book and chats with Megan Stielstra. City Lit Books, 6:30 p.m.
deadline. hosts their a release party and open mic night at Uncharted Books. 7 p.m.
Wednesday 5/6: Poet Tim Seibles takes his writing off the shelf. The Poetry Foundation, 7 p.m.
Thursday 5/7: Leslie Parry launches her debut novel, Church of Marvels, at the Book Cellar. 7 p.m.
Josh Simmons signs copies of his newest graphic novel, Black River. Quimby’s Bookstore, 7 p.m.
BYOB to Uncharted Books for Congrats on Your Success, the store’s monthly free comedy show. 7 p.m.