Superb Short Stories

It's sometimes easy to overlook short stories because they often do not get as much attention as novels. Yet, every now and then I come across collections that blow me away and get me excited about short stories all over again. The eight stories in One More Year focus on the lives of immigrants in the…
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Teen Titles Celebrating Asian American Heritage

Diverse titles can be hard to find, so to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I recommend the following stories, covering everything from being torn between two worlds to solving family mysteries and more. Born Confused shows what it feels like to be lost between two worlds. Dimple resists the traditional path of her parents for most…
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Top Picks for Katniss Fans

The last film of The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay Part 2, is finally here! Having to wait a year for its November 20 release was a pain, but I'm hoping it will be well worth it to see Katniss take on President Snow. The end of a series is always bittersweet because even though you…
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Funny Everyday Teen Sleuths

There's no better time than Teen Read Week to talk about all the great new teen fiction coming out this year. From teen detective work to family drama, the following stories will make you laugh and keep you in suspense. Joyride has the mixings of failed families, immigration, young love and human trafficking. Carly must figure out…
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Vinyl Record Day Rotations

Throughout the years, people have listened to music on everything from cassettes to MP3s, and while technology changes, there's no doubt that music enthusiasts still love vinyl. Vinyl Record Day celebrates the cultural influence of vinyl and its impact on the past and future on August 12. So to celebrate, explore all the vinyl records you can…
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Top Picks for Baseball Fans

All the talk around this year's MLB All-Star Game has brought up a lot of personal baseball memories for me, like how I was so excited to meet Andre Dawson as a kid or how I spent 10 years of my childhood swinging a bat. I've always loved the sport and all the classic baseball movies I've seen…
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Make Your Own Zine For International Zine Month

Zines are no new thing. Chicago has its own Chicago Zine Fest, The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, CAKE, highlights comics and zines, and we even have workshops this summer focusing on zines. Since July is International Zine Month, why not learn how to make your own! For anyone interested in an introduction to the history and making of zines, Whatcha Mean…
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