This has been a fantastic month! I don’t think I’ve read a single book that has disappointed me, and I even got all gushy about three of them. I’ve had a great time learning about and meeting some Chicago-area authors, and I hope that you’ve found some books you are interested in as well, whether or not the Chicago connection means anything to you.
What I Reviewed:
Fiction
Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis
After the Workshop by John McNally
Divine Appointments by Charlene Baumbich
The World in Half by Cristina Henriquez
Currency by Zoe Zolbrod
According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
Not Ready for Mom Jeans by Maureen Lipinski
Mystery/Thrillers
Skating Around the Law by Joelle Charbonneau
The Hanging Tree by Bryan Gruley
Body Work by Sara Paretsky
Graphic Novel
Mr Mendoza’s Paintbrush by Luis Alberto Urrea
Chicago Publishers Spotlights:
Other Voices Books
Oasis Audio
Featherproof Books
Sourcebooks
Tyndale House
Sunday Spotlights:
Shel Silverstein
Some Sing, Some Cry by Ntozake Shange and Ifa Bayeza
My Maasai Life by Robin Wiszowaty
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Bookstore Reviews:
Long Way Home by Laura Caldwell
A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka
The Thousand by Kevin Guilfoile
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger
Guest Posts:
“What’s in a Blog” by Libby Hellmann, Author and Founder of ‘The Outfit’
“Haunted by Chicago History” by Kelly O’Connor McNees, Author of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
“Confessions of a Chicago Lawyer” by David Ellis, Author of Breach of Trust
“A Writer’s Life” by Melanie Benjamin, Author of Alice I Have Been
“Richard Wright, Chicago’s Native Son” by Michelle from ‘That’s What She Read’
Pick(s) of the Month:
Note: Some of these books were provided to me for review.

Jen you did a fabulous job! I was just pondering the idea of doing a feature month like this, how much planning and work it would take, and how there is no way I could pull it off. I truly enjoyed it.
Thanks, Sandy!
Congrats on a great Chicago author month! I am really excited to read Mr. Mendoza’s Paintbrush – I love the pictures in that one.
Loved this whole Chicago series, if I haven’t mentioned that yet. I’m up there at least a half-dozen times each month and really need to explore more.
Congratulations on a job well done! Now, go get some MUCH deserved rest!
Congrats on a successful month!
I enjoyed the Chicago Author month, congrats on a great job. And it was nice meeting you at The Bookstore for the wrap-up last week.