BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CalDiscovery//caldiscovery//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH DESCRIPTION:Chicago: literary\, this weekend (Fri Sep 18 to Sun Sep 20\, A merica/Chicago). Rolling: the window moves forward every day\, so subscrib e rather than download. Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https:/ /caldiscovery.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains inf ormation from CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. SOURCE:https://caldiscovery.com/chicago-il/this-weekend-literary.ics X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT12H REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT12H X-WR-CALDESC:Chicago: literary\, this weekend (Fri Sep 18 to Sun Sep 20\, America/Chicago). Rolling: the window moves forward every day\, so subscri be rather than download. Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https: //caldiscovery.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains in formation from CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. X-WR-CALNAME:Chicago · literary · this weekend · CalDiscovery BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:This Is About Running. This Is Not About Running — Coach Bennett Book Tour DTSTART:20260918T050000Z DTEND:20260918T060000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T062357Z UID:event-33254@www.townvue.com CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Join us a few doors down from our Fleet Feet Old Town store to celebrate the launch of Coach Bennett's new book.\n\nPrice: $39.19\n\nMor e info: https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/this-is-about-running-this- is-not-about-running-coach-bennett-book-tour-33254 LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T062357Z LOCATION:1714 North Wells Street\, Chicago\, IL 60614 URL:https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/this-is-about-running-this-is-n ot-about-running-coach-bennett-book-tour-33254?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm _medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:TownVue — Events in Chicago\, IL X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.townvue.com/in/chicago-il/events/education-worksh ops END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A Spell of Heart & Havoc by Kristen Vale DTSTART:20260918T050000Z DTEND:20260918T060000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T062357Z UID:event-33227@www.townvue.com CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:The thief\, the noblewoman\, and the secrets they hide.\n\nPri ce: Free\n\nMore info: https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/a-spell-of-h eart-havoc-by-kristen-vale-33227 LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T062357Z LOCATION:5233 North Clark Street\, Chicago\, IL 60640 URL:https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/a-spell-of-heart-havoc-by-krist en-vale-33227?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago- il X-SOURCE-NAME:TownVue — Events in Chicago\, IL X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.townvue.com/in/chicago-il/events/education-worksh ops END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:American Prophets: Writers\, Religion\, and Culture DTSTART:20260918T150000Z DTEND:20260918T220000Z DTSTAMP:20260918T061353Z UID:10252039-1789725600-1789750800@www.choosechicago.com CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:American Prophets journeys through the pages of American histo ry to explore the influence of religion and spirituality on writers and cu lture\, with interactive displays incorporating more than 100 different cr eative works and writers spanning genres. \nAcross time and tradition\, pr ophets have been those who see what others can’t\, voices with uncommon insight who guide us toward deeper understanding. The writers in the Ameri can Prophets exhibit share that same visionary spark. They’re not prophe ts in the religious sense\, but their words reveal extraordinary awareness of the world around them\, insight born of belief\, experience\, and imag ination. These writers invite us to see our culture\, and ourselves\, thro ugh new eyes. \nVisitors to American Prophets will discover faith-inspired songs including Chance the Rapper’s “Blessings\,” Patti Smith’s “Gloria” and Frank Waln’s “7.” They can compare the imagined wor lds and faiths of Star Trek\, Black Panther and Octavia Butler’s The Par able of the Sower. And laugh through an exploration of holiness in humor w ith comedians including Mindy Kaling\, Patton Oswalt\, Hari Kondabolu and Joan Rivers. \nThe exhibit also includes a wall of religious artifacts fro m famous writers\, including Harold Ramis’ pocket-sized primer The Five- Minute Buddhist\, Flannery O’Connor’s rosary\, Ursula K. Le Guin’s a nnotated copy of the Tao Te Ching\, Samira Ahmed’s amulet with a Muslim prayer\, and Los Lobos singer-songwriter Louie Pérez’s statue of the Sa nto Niño de Atocha. \nAmerican Prophets is a shared journey of reflection \, inspiration\, and connection through stories. Visit Today! Tickets to t he museum are $16 for adults\, $10 for seniors\, students\, and teachers. Free for members and children ages 12 and under. To inquire about discount ed rates for groups of 10 or more\, visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org/visit/ groups/ or call 312-374-8765. LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T061353Z LOCATION:American Writers Museum\, 180 N. Michigan Ave.\, Chicago\, IL\, 6 0601\, United States URL:https://www.choosechicago.com/event/american-prophets-writers-religion -and-culture-2/2026-09-18/?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_camp aign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:Choose Chicago X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/chicago-sports END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Rise Anyway Book Launch DTSTART:20260918T180000Z DTEND:20260918T193000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T060851Z UID:10003200-1789736400-1789741800@lgba.com CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Join author Natalie D. James for a conversation\, Q&A and sign ing celebrating the launch of Rise Anyway. LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T060851Z LOCATION:Olivaceto URL:https://lgba.com/event/rise-anyway-book-launch/?utm_source=caldiscover y&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:La Grange Business Association X-SOURCE-URL:https://lgba.com/craft-fair END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ankur Thakkar in Conversation with Rebecca Makkai at CityLit Books DTSTART:20260918T183000Z DTEND:20260918T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T045914Z UID:10887-1789756200-1789761600@nupress.northwestern.edu CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:From the organizer’s website: \nJoin author Ankur Thakkar to celebrate his new book\, Blow Yourself Up! The evening will include an a uthor chat with Rebecca Makkai\, audience Q&A\, and book signing. \nFree RSVP is requested (see the event page at CityLit Books\, linked below) \n \nA story of first love across cities spanning the decade that transformed the internet In the halls of an elite East Coast high school\, Arjun and Payal fall in love as the world begins to tilt toward the digital. \nOver the next eight years\, their trajectories diverge as sharply as the fract ured internet itself. Payal ascends to the dizzying\, dopamine-fueled heig hts of New York’s influencer economy\, finding fame on Boost\, a looping video app that is as rewarding as it is demanding. Meanwhile\, in a caver nous office in Chicago\, Arjun\, a musician whose dreams have quieted\, no w cleans up the same platform’s debris\, moderating the internet’s dar kest videos. When a brutal act of political violence against a beloved mus ician goes viral\, this rip in reality forces the pair to confront the mot ivations of the platforms they inhabit. A sharp exploration of creative am bition and the multifarious nature of identity\, this is a story of love i n the time of infinite scroll and a look at what we sacrifice to be seen. \n \nAnkur Thakkar is a multimedia artist and the author of the novel Blow Yourself Up. He was a Tennessee Williams Scholar at the Sewanee Writers ’ Conference in 2025 and his writing has appeared in Guernica\, PANK\, a nd TriQuarterly. Medium selected his piece\, “Swipe\,” as one of the b est personal essays about the internet. His artwork has been shown at the Palais de Tokyo and La Friche la Belle de Mai. He chose MFA\, then NYC\, a nd lives in Brooklyn. \n \nRebecca Makkai is the author of the New York Ti mes bestselling I Have Some Questions For You as well as four other works of fiction. Her last novel\, The Great Believers\, one of the New York Tim es’ Best Books of the 21st Century\, was a finalist for both the 2019 Pu litzer Prize and the 2018 National Book Award\, and was the winner of the ALA Carnegie Medal and the LA Times Book Prize among other honors. A 2022 Guggenheim Fellow\, Rebecca teaches graduate fiction writing at Middlebury College\, Northwestern University\, and the Bennington Writing Seminars\, and she is Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T045914Z LOCATION:CityLit Books\, 2523 N Kedzie Blvd\, Chicago\, IL\, 60647\, Unite d States URL:https://nupress.northwestern.edu/event/ankur-thakkar-in-conversation-w ith-rebecca-makkai-at-citylit-books/?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ic s&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:Northwestern University Press X-SOURCE-URL:https://nupress.northwestern.edu/event/indigenous-peoples-day -poetry-reading-open-mic END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Listening Hours with Marvin Tate: 4th Shift Album & Book Release DTSTART:20260919T050000Z DTEND:20260919T060000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T062357Z UID:event-24946@www.townvue.com CATEGORIES:literary,music DESCRIPTION:We are pleased to welcome Marvin Tate for an album listening a nd book release for his newest project\, 4th Shift.\n\nPrice: Free\n\nMore info: https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/listening-hours-with-marvin- tate-4th-shift-album-book-release-24946 LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T062357Z LOCATION:7200 South Dorchester Avenue\, Chicago\, IL 60619 URL:https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/listening-hours-with-marvin-tat e-4th-shift-album-book-release-24946?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ic s&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:TownVue — Events in Chicago\, IL X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.townvue.com/in/chicago-il/events/education-worksh ops END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sat.\, Sept. 19 from 10a-12p: Writers’ Group SIG (Special Intere st Group) DTSTART:20260919T150000Z DTEND:20260919T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T055811Z UID:7222-1789812000-1789819200@ssghs.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Sat.\, Sept. 19 from 10a-12p: Writers’ Group SIG. Join Carol e to learn ways to write and share your story. LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T055811Z LOCATION:SSGHS Library\, 3000 W 170th Place\, Hazel Crest\, IL\, 60429 URL:https://ssghs.org/event/sat-sept-19-from-10a-12p-writers-group-sig-spe cial-interest-group/?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=c hicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:South Suburban Genealogical & Historical Society X-SOURCE-URL:https://ssghs.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Book Bedazzling (One Book\, One Community Program) DTSTART:20260919T170000Z DTEND:20260919T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T060851Z UID:10003205-1789819200-1789830000@lgba.com CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Celebrate books by bedazzling the title or a prominent cover f eature of The Giver or another favorite book. Finished books will be displ ayed through November. \nRoom: DierkesNote: Registration required through the Library. LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T060851Z LOCATION:La Grange Public Library\, 10 W. Cossitt\, La Grange\, IL\, 60525 \, United States URL:https://lgba.com/event/book-bedazzling-one-book-one-community-program/ ?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:La Grange Business Association X-SOURCE-URL:https://lgba.com/craft-fair END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Comic Book Club DTSTART:20260919T190000Z DTEND:20260919T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260905T061702Z UID:10007057-1789826400-1789830000@www.fppld.org CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:K-5th grade — Registration is not required. \n  \nJoin us t o talk about your favorite comics and superheroes\, and even make your own ! We’ll have prepared tips for making all types of comics\, and art supp lies will be provided. \n  \n\n Notice: JavaScript is required for this c ontent. LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T061702Z LOCATION:Saeli Community Room\, 10311 Grand Ave\, Franklin Park\, IL\, 601 31\, United States URL:https://www.fppld.org/event/comic-book-club-3/2026-09-19/?utm_source=c aldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:Franklin Park Public Library X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.fppld.org/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom DTSTART:20260919T200000Z DTEND:20260919T213000Z DTSTAMP:20260913T060950Z UID:10004178-1789830000-1789835400@chicagosocialbutterflies.com CATEGORIES:literary,music DESCRIPTION:2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Decla ration of Independence. America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom is a multi-genre concert of spoken word and music. It’s written and narr ated by award-winning journalist\, Cheryl Corley\, and features a stellar band lead by singer/songwriter Lucy Smith. This performance encompasses th e rage\, hope\, resilience and history that shaped the country over its ma ny years\; from Thomas Paine’s 18th century “Liberty Tree” to Beyonc e’s 21st century “Freedom.” \nA FREE AND ALL AGES EVENT \nCheryl Cor ley\, narrator\nLucy Smith Quintet\nLucy\, vocals\nJon Deitemyer\, drums\n Carmani Edwards\, bass\nWilliam Kurk\, keys\nGreg Ward\, alto sax \nA Nigh t Out in the Parks (NOITP) program \nBring your chairs and snacks for a gr eat Night Out in the Park! \nhttps://lucysmithjazz.com/ LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T060950Z LOCATION:Washington Park (in front of DuSable History Museum)\, 740 56th Place\, Chicago\, IL\, 60637\, United States URL:https://chicagosocialbutterflies.com/wp-events/america-songs-and-stori es-of-protest-and-freedom-4/?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_ca mpaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:Chicago Social Butterflies X-SOURCE-URL:https://chicagosocialbutterflies.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Great Big Book Swap DTSTART:20260920T050000Z DTEND:20260920T060000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T062357Z UID:event-25286@www.townvue.com CATEGORIES:literary DESCRIPTION:Get ready to turn the page on your next great read at The Grea t Big Book Swap at the American Writers Museum!\n\nMore info: https://www. townvue.com/Events/Details/the-great-big-book-swap-25286 LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T062357Z LOCATION:180 N. Michigan Avenue\, 2nd Floor\, Chicago\, IL 60601 URL:https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/the-great-big-book-swap-25286?u tm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:TownVue — Events in Chicago\, IL X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.townvue.com/in/chicago-il/events/education-worksh ops END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Book Club Fair & Film Screening: Cake DTSTART:20260920T050000Z DTEND:20260920T060000Z DTSTAMP:20260915T062357Z UID:event-33211@www.townvue.com CATEGORIES:film,literary DESCRIPTION:Meet Chicago’s book clubs\, spark new connections\, and enjo y "Cake\," an award-winning local short film celebrating love and resilien ce.\n\nMore info: https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/book-club-fair-fi lm-screening-cake-33211 LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T062357Z LOCATION:1400 West 46th Street\, Chicago\, IL 60609 URL:https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/book-club-fair-film-screening-c ake-33211?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:TownVue — Events in Chicago\, IL X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.townvue.com/in/chicago-il/events/education-worksh ops END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:September Free Day at the American Writers Museum DTSTART:20260920T050000Z DTEND:20260920T060000Z DTSTAMP:20260917T060740Z UID:event-26394@www.townvue.com CATEGORIES:arts,free,literary DESCRIPTION:Come enjoy a free day at the American Writers Museum!\n\nPrice : Free\n\nMore info: https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/september-free -day-at-the-american-writers-museum-26394 LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T060740Z LOCATION:180 N. Michigan Avenue\, 2nd Floor\, Chicago\, IL 60601 URL:https://www.townvue.com/Events/Details/september-free-day-at-the-ameri can-writers-museum-26394?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campai gn=chicago-il X-SOURCE-NAME:TownVue — Events in Chicago\, IL X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.townvue.com/in/chicago-il/events/education-worksh ops END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR