The Amish, Plain and Simple

As we move into Fall, our attention often turns to farms and their bounty. In Northwest Indiana and other rural communities, this can mean Amish farms. Of course, not all the Amish are farmers, and their numbers have grown exponentially in the past century, making them more visible. While there are plenty of novels featuring […]

Read More from The Amish, Plain and Simple

Inspired by Fashion Week? 3 Great Fashion Magazines to Download

With a map of New York City on my wall and fashion magazines by my bed, my 16-year-old self would have loved watching the twice-yearly Fashion Week. (The shows! The trends! The fashionista street style!) But as an adult, I sometimes think: Fashion? I've no time for fashion. But here’s the thing. Browsing the occasional […]

Read More from Inspired by Fashion Week? 3 Great Fashion Magazines to Download

Caught Reading: Librarians Edition, September 2017

Do you ever wonder what your favorite librarian is reading? Like our patrons, some librarians have tastes for specific genres or subjects, while others read what they find by chance or recommendations.  For this edition of Caught Reading, let’s find out what some CPL librarians are reading or have just finished. Their selections range from history to […]

Read More from Caught Reading: Librarians Edition, September 2017

Gospel Music in Special Collections: I’ll Take You There

On September 16, 1966, the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place came alive with the Gospel Festival Spectacular. "Spectacular" is undoubtedly the word today’s gospel music lovers would use to describe this lineup. Among the featured groups to join the Rev. Clay Evans and his 150-voice Fellowship Radio Choir were the Rev. James Cleveland Singers, […]

Read More from Gospel Music in Special Collections: I’ll Take You There

About I’ll Take You There: 2017-18 One Book, One Chicago Selection

I'll Take You There, this year's One Book, One Chicago selection, is the untold story of living legend Mavis Staples—lead singer of the Staple Singers and a major figure in the music that shaped the civil rights era. Honing her prodigious talent on the Southern gospel circuit of the 1950s, Mavis and the Staple Singers […]

Read More from About I’ll Take You There: 2017-18 One Book, One Chicago Selection

About Greg Kot: 2017-18 One Book, One Chicago Author

Greg Kot has been the music critic at the Chicago Tribune since 1990 and is the co-host of the nationally syndicated public radio show Sound Opinions on WBEZ-FM 91.5. He has written several books, including this year's One Book, One Chicago selection, I'll Take You There, as well as Ripped and Wilco. He co-authored The Beatles Vs. the Rolling […]

Read More from About Greg Kot: 2017-18 One Book, One Chicago Author

Do You Believe In Magic?

Sarah Skilton has written her first adult novel, Club Deception, and it's a doozy. Jessica, a young wife who is quickly learning the meaning of the phrase, "marry in haste, repent at leisure" is introduced to the club of wives and girlfriends of America's greatest magicians. There are several mysteries to be solved in this […]

Read More from Do You Believe In Magic?