Must-See Monday

Kick off December with Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf Bar (5148 N. Clark). Hear fiction, poetry and essays from authors Jennifer Scappettone, Jotham Burrello, Nicholas Michael Ravnikar and Nicholas Kryczka. The night kicks off at 7:00pm.

On Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00pm, head over to Sheffield's (3248 N. Sheffield) for RUI: Reading Under the Influence. This month's theme is "Snow and Whiskey" and features Literary Death Match champion Jill Summers, performance artist Sean Ewert, 2nd Story ensemble member C.P. Chang and local author Jeff Phillips.

On Thursday, December 3rd, swing by Chicago Comics 6:00-8:00pm for the YI SOON SHIN: Warrior and Defender Issue #1 launch party. Help celebrate the launch of this historical comic book series with complimentary drinks and mingle with the Chicago author, Onrie Kompan.

Depaul hosts a Holiday Book Bash on Friday, December 4th 6:00-9:00pm at the John J. Egan Urban Center (1 E. Jackson). Hosted by "The Today Show" correspondent Mike Leonard and Young Chicago Authors president and WBEZ radio personality Sylvia Ewing, the event features over 30 authors, including Elizabeth Bracket and Janice Metzger. Tickets are $50, $15 for students. Visit the Young Chicago Authors website for more info.

Must-See Monday

Stop by The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) on Wednesday, November 11th for Funny Ha-Ha, the monthly comedy and reading series hosted by Claire Zulkey. This month's guests include Tribune critic Maureen Ryan, The Onion's A.V. Club, novelist Kevin Guilfoile, and filmmaker Steve Delahoyde.

Also on Wednesday, Time Out Chicago Kid's editor Judy Sutton-Taylor, reads from her contribution to P.S.:WHAT I DIDN'T SAY, a collection of unsent letters written by women to their friends. Stop by the Book Cellar at 7pm to hear readings from the anthology.

Feel like a road trip this weekend? Head up to Wisconsin for Murder and Mayhem in Muskego. This great library event features appearances by Marcus Sakey, Jamie Freveletti, Andrew Grant, Tasha Alexander, Michael Koryta, Sean Chercover and...who else...oh yeah, myself! Sign up for the Friday evening cocktail reception where I'll be interviewing Freveletti, Alexander, Grant and Koryta and stay Saturday for a long lineup of authors.

Must-See Monday

Featured Event (just because I'm the one reading!)

Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:30pm at Big Chicks (5024 N. Sheridan) I'll be reading at Homolatte. Joining me is singer/songwriter Samantha Cathcart. It will be a great night of music and prose, a definite must-see.

Authors Jamie Freveletti, Billy Lombardo, and poet Robert McDonald read at RUI: Reading Under the Influence Wednesday, June 3rd 7-10pm at Sheffields (3258 N. Sheffield). If you haven't been to this unique and lively reading series, it's definitely worth checking out. Answer the trivia correctly, you'll come out with a free drink and a free book!

National Book Award nominee Jean Thompson launches a new short story collection, DO NOT DENY ME, MY BROTHER, Friday, June 5th at 7:30pm at Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln). Authors J. Adams Oaks and Lindsay Hunter will be joining him and the event is sponsored by Jonathan Messinger of Featherproof Books.

June 6th and June 7th, make sure to check out the Printer's Row Bookfair. There are too many events to post, so click here to check out the full schedule. Some authors of note include Marcus Sakey, Sean Chercover, Jamie Freveletti, Laura Caldwell, Tasha Alexander, Andrew Grant, Dave Eggers, Elmore Leonard, and others.