Did you know the first warrants in the Salem witch trials were issued February 29, 1692? That was 324 years ago—or 81 leap years ago. The era of Britain's settlement in the Americas has given history some excellent works of literature and art. Witches, or the people with strange abilities who made some kind of evil bargain with a…
The Spy Who Smiled: Witty Espionage Novels
I was much surprised and definitely pleased reading Mick Herron's latest, Real Tigers. Following the first two books in the Slough House series, Slow Horses and Dead Lions, one of Slough House's own has come under attack. Slough House, by the way, is where the screw-ups of MI5 (Britain's spy agency) are warehoused until they either get…
What’s Pulaski Day All About?
For over 80 years, Chicagoans have been honoring Casimir Pulaski for his role in American history. And yet, it was just over thirty years ago that the City of Chicago declared it an official holiday. On February 26, 1986, Mayor Harold Washington introduced a resolution to designate the first Monday in March Casimir Pulaski Day, and the…
Insults, Smears and Character: A Quick Guide for Teens
It seems like every day our news is full of insults and ”smears” as the tension builds in the nation’s political arena. For this very reason, I thought it would be fun to find books covering clever and literary insults over time rather than the mundane political put-downs we're bombarded with today. Sharp and spontaneous disputes…
Chicago Negro Almanac and Reference Book: Chicago History Classics
Did you know that Duke Slater became a Chicago attorney and judge after being one of the few African American professional football players of the 1920s? That in 1924, Fannie B. Williams became first female member of the Chicago Public Library's Board of Directors? That Jesse Binga's wife inherited a quarter million dollars in the 1890's…
The New South Water Market: Relocating the Produce Market
As noted in my last post, the old South Water Street Market was inefficient, lacked regulation and hindered plans to make the city's riverfront beautiful. Shortly after the Plan of Chicago was published, the Chicago Plan Commission waged a campaign in the courts and in the media to force merchants off the street. The commission…
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Oscar Trivia?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be presenting the 88th Oscars ceremony on February 28. The Big Short is widely predicted to take the top prize, although Spotlight and The Revenant are also considered big contenders. Although there were some disappointing omissions (I'm personally most disappointed about Michael B. Jordan not being nominated…
Caught Reading at the Gym, February 2016
Few things can take your mind off your sore muscles for that last 10 minutes on the exercise bike or the final climb on the StairMaster like a good story! That's right, we caught you reading at the gym this month. Let's take a look at what you were reading. Slowly cycling along on the exercise bike while—ahem—we…
Take the (Romantic) Leap with These Titles
It's just another day, really, but why not spend Leap Day enjoying a little more of this month of romance with protagonists who take inspiring leaps of their own? Start with Leap Year, a romantic comedy starring perennial favorite Amy Adams as an American who travels to Ireland to take part in an Irish Leap…
Road to Character Reading List Part 2
Last week, I told you about The Road to Character by David Brooks. Well, I couldn't resist adding an additional post about more people profiled in that book, and what they left us. For last week's post, click here. Mary Ann Evans, who wrote under the name George Eliot, had a tendency to misplace her affections until…
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