Dear Reader,

We hope this email finds you frolicking in a meadow, blissfully unaware of current events. We bring only book news, the very best kind.

New Hours Begin April 8

The sun is finally hanging around a bit later, so we will, too. (Except on Sundays.)

Beginning Tuesday, April 8, we’ll be open 12-7 Tuesday through Friday; 11-6 on Saturdays; and 11-5 on Sundays.

20% off New Poetry for National Poetry Month

One of our dreams from Day One was to have the best poetry section we could possibly afford—and it’s pretty damn good, if we do say so ourselves. (It could always be better, of course, especially if more of you bring us books.)

In addition to our large selection of used poetry on the back wall, one entire side of our center bookcase is devoted to new poetry. This National Poetry Month, all of those books will be 20% off, so you can stock up and celebrate!

Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 26th

It’s our first Independent Bookstore Day as a real store! This is always an exciting day for book lovers, and more so for Chicagoans, because of the Chi ❤️ Books Indie Bookstore Crawl. 

We’re so excited not only to be on the map this year, but on the northern bus route. Although we’re practically located right under the Jarvis L tracks (and probably within a few blocks of your home, if you’re reading this), not all the participating bookstores are so close to public transportation. If you’re trying to knock out 10 or 15 stores to get your yearlong 10% or 15% discount, you might want a little help getting around. For $65 + some annoying fees, you can get a ride to 11 stores between downtown and the northern suburbs, including ours.

Tickets are available here, and the buses will board at After-Words Bookstore at 23 E. Illinois.

The Ribbon, She Is Cut

Listen, no business is really open until the novelty scissors come out. We want to thank Alder Maria Hadden and all these lovely folks from her office, Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s, and the Rogers Park Business Alliance, who stopped by recently to make that particular dream come true. We feel so official now!

We also feel grateful, as always, to live and work in a neighborhood where progressive politics, artistic sensibilities, and lifelong learning are the norm. We’re cooking up some community programming we’ll tell you about in a future newsletter.

Hoping to see you soon—and a little bit later on weekdays,

Kate & Michael