Jason Pettus's Blog, page 27

Book Review: "The Last Bookaneer" by Matthew Pearl

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Last Bookaneer By Matthew Pearl Penguin Press Reviewed by Jason Pettus Matthew Pearl has made an entire c...

Hope to see you at the "View From Here" release party at Columbia College tonight!

Hey, Chicagoans, just wanted to remind you about the release party we're having tonight for our second annual "city all-star" student anthology, The View From Here: Stories about Chicago Neighborhoods. This particular one is being held at the bookstore of Columbia College, located at 624 S. Michigan Avenue, from 5 to 7 pm tonight, and will feature six of the Columbia contributors from the book, as well as opening remarks by Columbia professor and popular local author Patricia Ann McNair, who...

The CCLaP Weekender for October 16th is here!

It's Friday, which means it's time for the newest issue of the Pushcart-Prize-nominated CCLaP Weekender! This week's issue features a new original piece of fiction by Peter Anderson; a photography feature by Kevin Serna; and a look at the next seven days of literary events happening all across the city. The PDF is completely free to download, using the links below, or can be viewed online in its "flippable" form at Issuu.com (or just use the embedded version above, if your particular device...

Book Review: "Something Good, Something Bad, Something Dirty," by Brian Alan Ellis

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Something Good, Something Bad, Something Dirty: Stories By Brian Alan Ellis House of Vlad Productions Revie...

Book Review: "Logos" by John Neeleman

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Logos By John Neeleman Homebound Publications Reviewed by Jason Pettus So I have to confess, I'm actually not...

Book Review: "Clown Tear Junkies" by Douglas Hackle

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Clown Tear Junkies By Douglas Hackle Rooster Republic Press Reviewed by Jason Pettus It's a well-known fact t...

Book Review: "Binary Star" by Sarah Gerard

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Binary Star By Sarah Gerard Two Dollar Radio Reviewed by Jason Pettus Earlier this year I had an opportunity...

Say hello to CCLaP's newest book, Daniel Falatko's "Condominium!"

The CCLaP publishing train is on full steam right now, a book a month right now until all the way into next summer; and I'm happy to announce that our October book is out today, a witty and sophisticated urban comedy called Condominium by Brooklyn author Daniel Falatko. I like to call Dan the "Millennial John Updike," for good reason; much like how Updike's early work obsessed over young "with-it" couples who were now living in suburbia, Falatko has penned the 21st-century version of such a...

Book Review: "The End of the Affair" by Graham Greene, 1st American Ed. 1st Printing

(CCLaP is now selling rare and unusual books through the main website, shipped to customers through USPS Priority Mail and with full refunds always guaranteed. To see the latest full list of volumes for sale, please click here). The End of the Affair (1951) By Graham Greene First American Edition, First Printing DESCRIPTION: Even the mention of his name anymore -- "GraHHHmmm GrEEEEEnne" -- evokes the spirit of far-off adventure, world-weary cynicism, and the passionate romances that s...

The CCLaP Weekender for October 9th is here!

It's Friday, which means it's time for the newest issue of the Pushcart-Prize-nominated CCLaP Weekender! This week's issue features a new original piece of fiction by Joseph G. Peterson; a photography feature by Daniel Osorio; and a look at the next seven days of literary events happening all across the city. The PDF is completely free to download, using the links below, or can be viewed online in its "flippable" form at Issuu.com (or just use the embedded version above, if your particular...