2025: Our Year in Books
By Allison Yates
Street Fight: The Chicago Taxi Wars of the 1920s by Anne Morrissy
What it’s about: This book details the deadly wars that played out on the city's streets a century ago, endangering the lives of passengers and passersby, while at the same time forming the regulatory foundation that still governs cab, limo and rideshare transportation in the 21st century.
Why we picked it: The taxi cab businesses that Anne Morrissy illuminates in this book had lasting impacts on unions, Chicago corporations, and rideshare apps we actively use today. This book is a deep dive into what you never thought to ask!
Best for these interests: Chicago history, transportation nerds
Becoming by Michelle Obama
What it’s about: Michelle Obama’s memoir of the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the White House.
Why we picked it: Anyone who wants an uplifting story and the idea that big dreams can come true, this is the perfect read.
Best for these interests: Coming-of-age story lovers, memoir lovers, Chicago history
Historic Chicago Bakeries by Jennifer Billock
What it’s about: Details of the city’s long-lasting and historic family-owned bakeries—and the immigrant stories that surround them.
Why we picked it: There’s nothing sweeter—or more meaningful—than family-owned bakeries in the city. These stories teach us so much more about the treats you’ll find. The bakeries featured in this book illuminate immigration patterns, neighborhood changes, and the enduring legacy of locally-owned businesses.
Best for these interests: Foodies, Chicago history
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
What it’s about: Jumping between 1980s Lakeview and present-day Paris, this historical fiction based heavily in real-life events centers around the character Yale Tishman, the development director for a Chicago art gallery, as he navigates love and loss amidst the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
Why we picked it: Heart-wrenchingly beautifully written, this book will resonate with anyone who has experienced love and loss. It’s also one of the best ways to learn about Chicago’s Queer history and 1980s Lakeview.
Best for these interests: Historical fiction, Queer history
BFF: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found by Christie O. Tate
What it’s about: Author Christie O. Tate’s memoir of navigating friendship past and present in the midst of recovery, therapy, and the stories we tell ourself.
Why we picked it: Christie’s story is one that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with adult friendships—and its decidedly Chicago setting brings to life some of the beloved spaces we frequent as readers & runners in the Windy City.
Best for these interests: Memoir, therapy, mental health
Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara
What it’s about: Set in 1944 Chicago, the novel centers on the story of Aki Ito and her parents, who were forcibly resettled in Chicago after being released from Manzanar, a detention facility where they were detained by the U.S. government.
Why we picked it: This is the only historical fiction novel telling the story of the Near North’s Side’s lost Japanese-American history.
Best for these interests: Historical fiction, World War II, identity fiction
Chicago Transit Hikes by Lindsay Welbers
What it’s about: Chicago Transit Hikes features over 30 hikes (or trail runs!) accessible via the CTA, Metra, and South Shore Line, providing details on accessibility, dog-friendliness, flora, fauna, and practical tips for planning trips.
Why we picked it: This is one of the best (and only) resources for city dwellers to explore the Chicagoland trails by public transportation.
Best for these interests: Nature lovers
Last Call Chicago: A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts Rick Karlin and St Sukie De La Croix
What it’s about: This book is a history of LGBTQ venues in Chicago going back in time as far as records of such venues exist.
Why we picked it: The literally thousand (and one) taverns listed in this book showcase the widespread presence of queer bars throughout the Windy City throughout the decades—no just in the generally recognized “gayborhood” of the Northalsted area.
Best for these interests: Queer history, bar history
Refugee High by Elly Fishman
What it’s about: A riveting chronicle of the 2017–2018 school year at Sullivan High, a time when anti-immigrant rhetoric was at its height in the White House.
Why we picked it: Refugee High highlights vital questions about the values and priorities of public school systems and offers an eye-opening lens into the modern-day American immigration and education systems.
Best for these interests: Coming-of-age stories, nonfiction, education policy
Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala
What it’s about: When high school tarot reader, Danika, has a client (Eli) go missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own. Danika ends up building an unsuspecting relationship with Eli’s sister Gaby, all while holding down a rigorous school load and two part time jobs. This book is a cozy mystery that combines Danika’s Filipino heritage with her evolving sense of self.
Why we picked it: Guide Leslie Hiquiana found many of the Filipino-American rituals in this book comforting—and made her reflect on her own life. She shared that she found her Filipino-American identity a challenge: never feeling “Filipino” enough or “American” enough growing up. This book is community for anyone who has also struggled with this.
Best for these interests: Cozy mystery, coming-of-age, Filipino-American stories
26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career by Meb Keflezighi and Scott Douglas
What it’s about: A memoir by Olympic runner Meb Keflezighi, chronicling his legendary career by reflecting on each of his 26 marathons.
Why we picked it: Meb Keflezighi is one of the most accomplished elite runners, and hearing his hilarious, heartfelt, and human stories of facing what feel like impossible challenges reinvigorated my love for racing and got me eager to sign up for another marathon.
Best for these interests: Memoir, running, motivational
Selected Poems by Gwendolyn Brooks
What it’s about: A collection of some of Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks poems.
Why we picked it: Her work chronicled and celebrated the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bronzeville—as working-class people, city dwellers, and laborers, but also parents, friends, dreamers, and strivers. She saw their full humanity, and found the stories of ordinary people worthy of being written down and remembered.
Best for these interests: Poetry, Bronzeville history
The Salt Shed by Sandra Steinbrecher
What it’s about: The Salt Shed is a documentary photography book that chronicles the two-year process of transforming the iconic Morton Salt Warehouse into the vibrant music and entertainment venue, The Salt Shed.
Why we picked it: Through stunning photographs, this book really highlights the human effort and craftsmanship behind one of our most famous recent preservation projects. Guide Fernanda Wetzel pointed to a quote from the forward by Heidi Stevens: “To love a place fully, to know a place truly we need to know its past…We protect our past so we are connected to what came before us and so we understand what lies in front of us today and tomorrow.”
Best for these interests: Architecture, Chicago history, preservation, photography
Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond
What it’s about: Award-winning Chicago authors Monica Eng and David Hammond compiled their decades-long pursuit of reporting on Chicago’s food scene into thirty must-eats you can find all across the city of Chicago.
Why we picked it: Beyond an informational and entertaining guidebook to some of Chicago’s most interesting creations, this books is also a wonderful history of the people and places behind each of these dishes.
Best for these interests: Foodies, Chicago history
Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe
What it’s about: Set in 1999, this is a fictional story of four childhood friends—Felicia, Stacia, Precious, and Tonya—and the final summer they spend together in the Robert Taylor Homes before their building was demolished as part of the Chicago Housing Authority’s redevelopment efforts along the State Street Corridor. Much of what the friends deal with that summer are typical girlhood things, but much of the story is also about the dangers of growing up in one of the country's most notorious housing projects in the 1990s and losing friends, family members, and an entire community to forces beyond their control.
Why we picked it: Guide Cynthia Okechukwu was a history major and has always been drawn to studying the rich histories of Chicago’s Black neighborhoods, and she’s also a fan of coming-of-age stories. She would add Last Summer on State Street to her list of the classics alongside A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and The House on Mango Street.
Best for these interests: Chicago history, urban planning and policy, coming-of-age novels
Cold Girls by Maxine Rae
What it’s about: Maxine Rae's Cold Girls is a young adult novel that delves into themes of grief, identity, and healing. The story centers on eighteen-year-old Rory Quinn-Morelli, who is grappling with the aftermath of a car accident that killed her best friend, Liv Martinez. Struggling with survivor's guilt and the weight of unspoken feelings, Rory adopts a detached demeanor, emulating the "cold girl" façade that Liv once embodied.
Why we picked it: Here’s what guide Quinn Rose has to say: “Cold Girls made me tear up for the first time on page six. It’s heartbreakingly human and messy, devastating but never losing hope. It’s also firmly placed in the affluent North Shore suburbs, an area I’ve come to know well since moving to Evanston a few years ago, making this the first time I’ve read a story that animates my adopted home so vividly.”
Best for these interests: coming-of-age novels, friendship, grief
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
What it’s about: Claire Lombardo's debut novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had, is a sweeping, character-driven family saga set in Oak Park, Illinois. The story centers on Marilyn and David Sorenson, a couple who fall in love in the 1970s and remain deeply connected over the decades. By 2016, they have four adult daughters—Wendy, Violet, Liza, and Grace—each grappling with personal challenges and the complexities of their family dynamics.
Why we picked it: This book is messy, hilarious, and shocking all in the best way. Few other books so accurately portray the loving yet often fraught relationships between siblings and parents, and how deep-seated issues fester over time—and sometimes compound in the most dramatic of ways.
Best for these interests: fiction, family drama, complex relationships
The Haymarket Affair by Joseph Rulli
Credit: Chicago History Museum, ICHi-00368
What it’s about: The Chicago Haymarket Affair: A Guide to a Labor Rights Milestone, provides an in-depth exploration of the pivotal events surrounding the Haymarket Affair of May 4, 1886. This incident began as a peaceful labor demonstration advocating for an eight-hour workday near Chicago's Haymarket Square (now the West Loop) but turned tragic when a bomb exploded, leading to gunfire and chaos. The aftermath saw the trial and execution of several rally organizers, drawing significant attention to workers' rights and law enforcement practices—discussions that remain relevant today.
Why we picked it: Chicago has a few callbacks to this part of history—Haymarket Brewing and Haymarket Press, to name a couple—but few people know the full story behind the affair and its aftermath—and its connection to one of Chicago’s favorite beverages: beer.
Best for these interests: Chicago history, labor history
Not Just a Simple Chinese Girl by Kara Eng
What it’s about: Not Just a Simple Chinese Girl is a heartfelt coming-of-age novel that explores themes of identity, family secrets, and cultural heritage. Set in the outskirts of Chicago's Chinatown, the story follows 16-year-old Vanessa Jade Lee, who has long believed she understood her family's history. However, her perception is challenged when she discovers a mysterious photograph that unravels hidden truths and compels her to investigate her family’s past.
Why we picked it: Author Kara Eng’s family history in Chinatown spans several decades, and this intimate understanding of the area is showcased through her plot.
Best for these interests: Coming-of-age, Chinatown
Gaybash by David Jay Collins
What it’s about: Set in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, the horror novel explores themes of identity, friendship, and the consequences of seeking validation through others. The story follows Matt Tompkins, a reserved gay man who has led a cautious and unfulfilling life. His best friend, Greg, is outgoing and confident, often receiving admiration for his boldness. When Greg gains unexpected fame after standing up to homophobic attackers, Matt's envy and desire to be more like Greg lead him to take a stand during a similar confrontation. This split-second decision dramatically alters Matt's life, forcing him to confront his insecurities.
Why we picked it: We love local, and we especially love hyper-local—and that’s what David Jay Collins’s novels are full of. You’ll recognize street names, locations of former bars, and feel a sense of belonging to the neighborhood through Matt’s story.
Best for these interests: Queer fiction
We Are The Culture by Arionne Nettles
What it’s about: This nonfiction book explores how Black Chicagoans shaped American culture across fields like music, media, fashion, and activism. The author traces the history of Black Chicago from the Great Migration—when over half a million Black Americans moved from the South to Chicago—to the emergence of influential institutions like the Chicago Defender, Jet, and Ebony magazines.
Why we picked it: This may be nonfiction, but it’s anything but dry. Arionne includes much of her own family history and heartwarming interviews with locals. The book is full of must-know Chicago history and should be required reading.
Best for these interests: Chicago history, Black history, trivia
The Girls in 3-B by Valerie Taylor
What it’s about: In this iconic 1959 published “Lesbian pulp fiction” novel by Valerie Taylor, three good rural girls move to the city and live together: one is in college, one works at a department store, and one works in an office. Through their three diverging paths once they arrive in Chicago, the book explores women’s place in workplace, lesbian identity, sexual assault, and gender roles.
Why we picked it: The 1950s are very flattened in our mainstream media representation: The white, middle-class, nuclear family is a carefully packaged media creation, and the real 1950s were just as messy and interesting as our world today. We still have so many of the same buildings and landmarks in Chicago that we did seventy years ago, and while we’ve made a lot of mainstream social progress, queer people and weirdos of all kinds have always sought out their own communities here.
Best for these interests: Queer fiction, queer pulp novels, Chicago history
Books about Jane: Liberating Abortion, The Story of Jane, All You Have to Do is Call
Guide Kaylee Tock with her copy of Laura Kaplan’s book, The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service
[Related: What It Was Like to Work at Jane, Chicago’s 1970s-era Underground Abortion Network]
What it’s about: Our Running Tour of Jane is a choose-your-own adventure kind of event. While no prior knowledge of the topic is required, guide Kaylee Tock rounded up several books and other media that tell the story of Jane, Chicago’s revolutionary underground abortion counseling service that operated between 1969-1972.
[Related: Historical Context of Jane, Plus Contemporary Resources]
Why we picked it: Kaylee’s top recommendation is The Story of Jane. Why? As Kaylee explains, Kaplan was a Jane, and it shows in her writing. While there are some contradictory parts (due to the nature of the genre), and the chronology is a little hard to follow at times, she really tells the story with authenticity, plus, the prose itself is easy to read (while not being simplified). She doesn’t sugarcoat the service’s interpersonal politics, and by including so many of her fellow Janes’ voices, she creates a full picture of what Jane was and who chose to be part of it.
Best for these interests: Reproductive rights, Chicago history, organizing
A Few Red Drops by Claire Hartfield
What it’s about: This meticulously researched nonfiction book delves into the causes and consequences of one of the most violent racial conflicts in American history, the 1919 Chicago Race Riots.
Why we picked it: While there are many books, poems, and other texts exploring the horrific events of what is referred to as the 1919 Chicago Race Riots, Claire Hartfield’s book contextualies the historical period in a very approachable and accessible way. Appropriate for students aged middle schoolers and up, the nonfiction book provides incredible education on the entire history of the city. Hartfield shows that 1919 was not an isolated or random incident by examining how racial tensions, racist policies, and structural issues allowed this violence to happen. The author’s grandmother lived through these riots as a child in Bronzeville, so this history is personal to her.
Best for these interests: Chicago history, social policy, labor history