Must-See Monday - Tuesday edition

I'm blaming yesterday's lack of posting on a brain cramp. I had written everything out, just forgot to click publish. Luckily, the post was restored in my drafts folder and no must-sees were missed yesterday!

This week, check out the Gerber-Hart library annual Holidaze Book Sale. Head over to this longtime LGBT establishment for some great deals on books, music, and DVD's. Check out their website for more information.

Stop by Hopleaf Bar (5148 N. Clark) tomorrow night at 7:30pm for the popular Bookslut Reading Series. Tomorrow's guest is the talented Daniel Nester, author of HOW TO BE INAPPROPRIATE.

Can't catch Nester tomorrow? He'll also be reading with novelist Claire Zulkey at The Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln) on Thursday at 7:00pm.

Head over to Barbara's Bookstore (1218 S. Halsted) on Thursday at 7:30pm to hear punk author of PLEASE KILL ME, Legs McNeil chat with Joey Ramone's brother, Mickey Leigh. They recently co-authored I SLEPT WITH JOEY RAMONE: A Family Memoir. This is one conversation you don't want to miss!

Return to Hopleaf Bar (5148 N. Clark) on Saturday, December 19th for Drinking & Writing IV: The Twelve Steps of Christmas. Celebrate two loves that always go together!

For a non-literary event (but one which I'll be attending), swing by the AJ Kane Gallery (119 N. Peoria) on Friday, December 18th from 5:30pm-midnight to catch photographer Megan Baker's Chicago debut. This talented artist has photographed musicians such as Jason Mraz and Gavin DeGraw and her work has appeared in Eyemazing and Kurv photography magazines. Oh, and did I mention she's only eighteen? So come out, have a drink, and be the first to view this groundbreaking series!

Must-See Monday

Stop by Hopleaf (5148 N. Clark) on Wednesday, July 29 for the Bookslut Reading Series. The literary blog hosts an evening of non-fiction writers Adam Frank, Luke Bergmann, and Rachel Shteir. I haven't heard any of the readers before, but if nothing else, Hopleaf has a great selection of beer!

The 2nd Story reading series returns, this time to Red Kiva (1108 W. Randolph) also on Wednesday, July 29th at 7:30pm. Writers/preformers Rosie Forrest, Larry Kerns, and Julie Ganey read original work set to live music.

The fifth annual Printer's Ball kicks off Friday, July 31 at 5pm. Head down to 1104 S. Wabash and check out the showcase from the Columbia College Book and Paper Department, load up on free books and magazines from various small presses, and participate in paper making and book binding demonstrations.

Must-See Monday

Uncover the lies your parents told you by heading down to Barbara's Bookstore (1218 S. Halsted) on Tuesday, July 21st at 7:30pm when Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Rachel Vreeman discuss their new book DON'T SWALLOW YOU'RE GUM: Myths, Truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health. Haven't read the book, but it sounds like a fun read.

Columbia College professors Ann Hemenway and Eric May read original work at The Poison Pen (1128 W. Armitage) on Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00pm. Both are talented readers and excellent oral storytellers.

Book shelves looking bare? Head over to the Newberry Library Book Fair (60 W. Walton) Thursday, July 24 and Friday, July 25 12:00-8pm and Saturday, July 26 10am-6pm.

Chicago author Stephanie Kuehnert reads from her new novel BALLADS OF SUBURBIA at Women and Children First (5233 N. Clark) on Thursday, July 24 at 7:30pm. She's a fellow Columbia College grad and the author of the critically acclaimed I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE.