CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”

Kurt Vonnegut. November 11th, 1922 - April 11th, 2007.

The Chicago Public Library has a large selection of Vonnegut works. Click here to see the list. 

Book Returned To Estonian Library 69 Years Late

From Time Magazine:

An Estonian man has returned a library book 69 years late, partly blaming a World War II aerial bombing that damaged the library for the late return.

Ivika Turkson of the Tallinn Central Library says that last week the man in his mid-80s returned the overdue book — which was checked out on March 7, 1944, while Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany — along with an apology and an offer to pay a late fee.

Turkson said Tuesday that the library waived any penalty for the late return of the tome, which still contained the original emblem and serial number, allowing librarians to identify it.

It was not immediately clear why the man waited so long to return the book, a work of fiction by Estonian author Eduard Vilde.

“Harry Potter” Gets New Book Covers For 15th Anniversary

It’s been 15 years since the Harry Potter books first cast a spell on readers, and Scholastic is celebrating the milestone by giving J.K. Rowling’s books a new look.

The publisher revealed the new cover for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on Wednesday, the first of seven new covers that will appear on U.S. paperback editions of the books beginning in September to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series.

The art for the new editions was created by artist Kazu Kibuishi, best known for his bestselling graphic novel series “Amulet.” Each of Kibushi’s seven covers depict “a distinct and memorable moment” from that specific book. In the case of “Sorcerer’s Stone,” that moment is young Harry Potter walking with Hagrid down Diagon Alley.

The new versions of the books will be available as a box set in September.

Thanks to Twitter user @Lo_Bomb for sending us this story!

Bookstore Beer: Powell’s + Rogue + Moby Dick = White Whale Ale

Brewed in honor of Powell’s Books 41st Anniversary White Whale Ale is “infused with the seafaring sprit” of Moby-Dick, literally! The beer contains actual pages from a copy of the book.

This brand-new ale was truly inspired by a love of literature. At an auction in Chicago, Michael Powell landed a first edition of Herman Melville’s The Whale (renamed Moby-Dick in subsequent editions), and the book has occupied a special place in his heart ever since. In part, this special-edition beer is a tribute to Michael and his family, as well as to the legacy of Powell’s.