April 30--There's no time like the present to support your local book sellers. As more cede ground to online retailers, local shops help foster a sense of community and culture in their neighborhoods. To celebrate independent bookstores, Independent Bookstore Day comes back for its second year with a nationwide slate of events at 400 participating stores. In Chicagoland, a number of stores are getting into the mix with events geared at attracting bibliophiles and wordnerds. Check them all out below, and for locations throughout Chicagoland, click here.
Volumes Bookcafe in Wicker Park is going all out for IBD, with a children's storytime, a visiting comic book artist, and even literary improv rap performances. Local authors Gint Aras and Etan Michaeli will also stop by to sign books and play bookseller. 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Lakeview's Unabridged Bookstore kicks of the day at 9 a.m. with free coffee and sweets from Vanille Patisserie and The Coffee and Tea Exchange, inviting guests to mingle with other bookworms while writing their own shelftalkers. Tribune columnist Ina Pinkney will stop by at 4:30 p.m. to sign copies of her book, "Ina's Kitchen," while tea and cake are served. In the evening, Curbside Splendor Publishing will host a reading of six authors (Chelsea Martin, Mira Gonzalez, Juliet Escoria, Amanda Goldblatt, Elizabeth Ellen, and Chloe Caldwell), while beer from neighbor Dryhop Brewers will be provided. 3251 N. Broadway.
Located in Lincoln Square, The Book Cellar starts the day at 10 a.m. with Marc and Maureen Shulman of "The Eli's Cheesecake Cookbook," followed by Renee Rosen and Rebecca Makkai slinging cocktails at the bloody mary bar. The first 10 customers spending $30 or more will receive a special gift bag, though discounts will be available throughout the day. 4736-38 N Lincoln Ave.
At Women Children First, the Coffee Studio is serving up coffee and doughnuts, while the first 10 costumers to spend $100 or more receive a special edition mug. At noon, catch a live performance by Freda Love Smith, her husband, Jake Smith, and cellist Anna Steinhoff. Afterward, Freda will sign her memoir, "Red Velvet Underground: A Rock Memoir with Recipes," and will also offer samples of the vegetarian recipes from the book. At 4 p.m., authors Ana Castillo and Cyn Vargas will discuss Castillo's new essay collection, "Black Dove: MamᬠMi'jo, and Me." 5233 N Clark St.
57th Street Books and the Seminary Co-Op Bookstores are both getting into the action with a slew of events, kicking off with songs and stories at 10:30 a.m. At 2 p.m., author Kymberly N. Pinder will discuss black public art, religion and the spiritual impact of African art in her book, "Painting the Gospel," and later, Raymond Lambert will discuss his work, "All Jokes Aside," his memoir about the comedy club he founded that catapulted some of the industry's biggest names: Jamie Foxx, Mo'Nique, Chris Rock, Steve Harvey and many others. Throughout the day, every purchase will get a surprise book, while supplies last. 1301 E. 57th St.
jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com
