"When the heat begins to grind you down and the days start to blend, there’s nothing better than encountering a story that will provide a spark of excitement," our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes. Read his 12 Must-Read Books of August 2026 below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/08/03/1...

12 Must-Read Books of August 2026 - Chicago Review of Books

Come the dog days of summer, when the heat begins to grind you down and the days start to blend, there’s nothing better than encountering a story that will provide a spark of excitement. Maybe a littl...

chireviewofbooks.com

Stop 👏🏼 telling 👏🏼 children 👏🏼 they 👏🏼 can’t 👏🏼 make 👏🏼 a 👏🏼 living 👏🏼 in 👏🏼 the 👏🏼 arts 👏🏼

Last week we ran our Favorite Books of 2026 (So Far) list, and now that we’ve looked back at all the great books the year has already brought us, it’s time to look ahead to all the great ones to come... Check those out at the link below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/07/15/o...

"We carry so much fear in our bodies. We carry so much love." From "A Potion for Sadness," a new essay by @meganstielstra.bsky.social. ➡️ buff.ly/iqH5KkH

We’re (somehow) over halfway through 2026, so we decided it was a great time to look back at all the wonderful books we’ve read so far this year—check out our favorites below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/07/07/o...

Our Favorite Book of 2026 (So Far) - Chicago Review of Books

We’re over halfway through 2026, so the Chicago Review of Books staff decided it was a great time to look back at all the wonderful books we’ve read so far this year. On Witness and RespairBy Jesmyn W...

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Looking for some great outdoor reading or want to beat the heat with a good book? Well, the new releases in July are sure to satisfy, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes. Check those picks below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/07/01/1...

12 Must-Read Books of July 2026 - Chicago Review of Books

It’s a heat wave here in Chicago leading into the Fourth of July! Whether you’re looking for some great outdoor reading or want to beat the heat with a good book, the new releases in July are sure to ...

chireviewofbooks.com

So happy to have this out the world! Thank @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social !

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · last mo.

"Book Stuff is for readers and the reading curious. By my estimation, reading is still one of the most human and fun ways to spend your time these days." Read more on why @tuckerleg.bsky.social started his podcast Book Stuff below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/30/i...

"Book Stuff is for readers and the reading curious. By my estimation, reading is still one of the most human and fun ways to spend your time these days." Read more on why @tuckerleg.bsky.social started his podcast Book Stuff below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/30/i...

Introducing Book Stuff - Chicago Review of Books

Hi, I’m Tucker Legerski, and I am the host of the new podcast Book Stuff! First episode is released today! It’s a dawn, a trumpet, an alarm clock chime start to something new. I started Book Stuff bec...

chireviewofbooks.com

At @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social today, @mbwwelch.bsky.social and I debut a new feature titled Critics in Conversation. In this first installment, we discuss @danielkraus.com's amazing Pulitzer win for Angel Down! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/25/c... #books #booksky

Critics in Conversation: Two CHIRB Editors Discuss "Angel Down" - Chicago Review of Books

Critics in Conversation is a new “podcast on the page” feature in which contributors discuss a book or issue currently making headlines in the literary world. Literary prizes aren’t like sports—it wou...

chireviewofbooks.com

Read @mbwwelch.bsky.social and @gregzimmerman.bsky.social in conversation as part of our new feature, a podcast on the page. They're talking about @danielkraus.com's ANGEL DOWN (@atriabooks.bsky.social). chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/25/c...

Critics in Conversation: Two CHIRB Editors Discuss "Angel Down" - Chicago Review of Books

Critics in Conversation is a new “podcast on the page” feature in which contributors discuss a book or issue currently making headlines in the literary world. Literary prizes aren’t like sports—it wou...

chireviewofbooks.com

From your perfect beach read to captivating books that will carry you into the New Year, our Chicago writing community is bringing you something to enjoy through the rest of 2026 and beyond, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes. Check those new books out below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/22/n...

New Books from Chicago Authors in 2026 Part II - Chicago Review of Books

It’s been a busy year for Chicago authors, but there’s plenty more to look forward to. In fact, there’s so much to keep your eye out for that we had to create a whole second half of the list! From you...

chireviewofbooks.com

@mbwwelch.bsky.social notices two trends across books coming out in June—a number of them look at the humanity and inhumanity of labor, while others look forward into what we lose and retain come the end of the world. Check out his picks at the link below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/01/1...

12 Must-Read Books of June 2026 - Chicago Review of Books

Things are heating up both in Chicago and in the publishing world! Whether you’re planning summer travel or you’re staying put this month, the books below are sure to take you out of this world. Sci-f...

chireviewofbooks.com

"People think... you must ‘pick a cause.’ But this is a myth. It is the illusion of a monstrous future that wants to swallow you whole." Read Mike Corrao on @ucpworkersguild.bsky.social's unionization campaign. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/29/t...

The Future Churns Slowly - Chicago Review of Books

Mike Corrao writes about the unionization campaign at University of Chicago Press.

chireviewofbooks.com

Our first Chicago Writers Showcase reader is @kathleenmrooney.bsky.social reading from his new novel MAN OVERBOARD! (Gallery Books). Kathleen is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, as well as a founding member of Poems While You Wait 🧵 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We're proud to celebrate 10 years uplifting writers and editors, large and independent presses, and connecting readers with their incredible work.

The first showcase went so well we’re doing it twice a year! Join us on June 2 for your sneak peek on what’s coming from the Chicago lit community in the second half of 2026!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We’re thrilled about our next Chicago Writers Showcase on JUNE 2, 6:30pm at Haymarket House with writers Meghan Malachi, @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social, C. Russell Price, @kathleenmrooney.bsky.social, @mksturdevant.bsky.social, and Dawn Turner. RSVP at the link below! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

I left this conversation with so much hope (a rare feeling these days!)

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

"Unionizing is passion protection. Because we’re really looking for a way to ensure that folks can sustain and have longevity in their jobs." Read @mbwwelch.bsky.social's interview w/ Maria Diaz, Andy Wang, and Darcy Glastonbury of the Hachette Workers Coalition. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/04/o...

To see my book next to Jesmyn Ward’s?!? Pinch me. Huge thanks to @mbwwelch.bsky.social for including HWSTG and for the kind words!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This month’s list features an incredible and eclectic list of new releases that range in tone and perspective, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes, but they all carry a similar theme: tons and tons of style. Check out our picks for the must-read books of May! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/01/1...

This month’s list features an incredible and eclectic list of new releases that range in tone and perspective, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes, but they all carry a similar theme: tons and tons of style. Check out our picks for the must-read books of May! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/01/1...

12 Must-Read Books of May 2026 - Chicago Review of Books

Here in Chicago, we certainly braved the April showers. Now we’re looking to some beautiful blooms come May! The beginning of summer is one of my favorite times for new books, as there’s always a surp...

chireviewofbooks.com

How would you like to host your own private 2-hour party at the bookstore? Bid now on this auction to support our friends at @storystudiochicago.bsky.social. new.biddingowl.com/item/private...

Private Party at RoscoeBooks

Host your own private bookstore party at RoscoeBooks! The winner of this auction will receive a two-hour party in the bookstore with their friends or

new.biddingowl.com

Finally, some good news: workers at Hachette are unionizing, and you can sign an open letter of support. This is the way! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Sign onto our open letter in solidarity with Hachette Workers Coalition!

To the management at Hachette Book Group, We are authors, publishing professionals, readers, and union supporters, and we are proud to express our full support for the Hachette Workers Coalition (HWC...

docs.google.com

Oh no, where have all the book reviews gone! Maybe it would help if we stopped doing the New York & corporate media naval gazing for like one second www.nytimes.com/2026/04/27/b...

Where Have All the Book Reviews Gone?

nytimes.com

We’re so back

Greg Zimmerman@gregzimmerman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Independent Bookstore Day is a scene, man. (Not pictured: The dozens more people milling about on the sidewalk waiting for people inside or for the line to go down a little.) #indiebookstoreday

Happy early independent bookstore day! 📚

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

As we prepare for Independent Bookstore Day, @mbwwelch.bsky.social and @gregzimmerman.bsky.social have compiled a great list of their Chicago favorites. (This list only includes bookstores selling new books. Our list of favorite used bookstores is coming soon!) chireviewofbooks.com/2026/04/23/o...

Thanks to Newcity for this great recent interview/review of our Great Lakes anthology, On an Inland Sea! Editor @mbwwelch.bsky.social reminds us all of the vital environmental element that runs through most of the collection! Check it out here: lit.newcity.com/2026/04/02/w...

Thank you so much @elizabethniarchosneukirch.com for talking with me about "On an Inland Sea" ❤️

Belt Publishing@beltpublishing.bsky.social · 4mo ago

“We can feel so disconnected as a region because we all have this personal connection with lakes that seem to have no end, but when we stare out across the horizon it’s more likely than not that someone is standing on the other side doing the same thing.” New interview with @mbwwelch.bsky.social!

I wrote about "On an Inland Sea," a collection of Great Lakes writing by @beltpublishing.bsky.social, edited by @mbwwelch.bsky.social. It's really a wonderful anthology, and deserves a place in the growing body of writing about the Lakes. greatlakesreview.org/shaped-by-th...

This month features some of my favorite debuts of the year, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes, including a deeply moving anthology about estrangement, and a book that turns history on its head. Check out the list below! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/04/01/1...

12 Must-Read Books of April 2026 - Chicago Review of Books

It’s no prank: April is officially here and so are the spring-time books! This month features some of my favorite debuts of the year, a deeply moving anthology about estrangement, and a book that turn...

chireviewofbooks.com

We’re thrilled to co-host the Chicago release of THE MEMORY MUSEUM (@graywolfpress.bsky.social) by M Lin with Women and Children first in Andersonville! It’s on May 3 at 6:30pm! www.eventbrite.com/e/memory-mus...

Super grateful to @rachellayown.bsky.social and @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social for this lovely interview! Get a glimpse of the publisher's life...if you dare! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/03/20/i...

Interview with an Editor: Gerald Brennan of Tortoise Books - Chicago Review of Books

Our interview with Gerald Brennan at Tortoise Books

chireviewofbooks.com