Get Lit: Summer Book Fair
Your classic book fair, reimagined for a night out. Find your next favorite read at this pop-up fair with drinks and after-hours access.
Sip, shop, and explore the American Writers Museum’s galleries while enjoying a lively atmosphere featuring music, themed drinks, and interactive activities. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect beach read, building your to-be-read stack, or just looking for a unique night out, make Get Lit: Summer Book Fair part of your story!
Burst Into Books is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building strong families through literacy, cultural arts, and community engagement. Founded by educator and author Jurema Gorham, the organization provides year-round programs that promote reading, creativity, and connection — including early literacy initiatives, youth writing and art workshops, parent engagement sessions, and the annual Words of Wonder Literary Festival. Through storytelling, education, and collaboration, Burst Into Books empowers children and families to read, imagine, and grow together. www.burstintobooks.org
Crimes & Cocktails aims to create a space for people to network over thrilling books paired with criminally good cocktails. Each month, the book club will host a monthly meeting in partner with a local restaurant, bar, or business. Burning these events, we will have specialty cocktail menus based off the book, themed activities, book discussions, pop-ups, & more. Cheers to joining us in adding a little twist to book clubs! Always remember, reading is fun and hot. www.instagram.com/crimes_and_cocktails
The Last Chapter Book Shop is a romance-only bookstore dedicated to creating a welcoming and enchanting space for readers and romantics alike. Located in the heart of Roscoe Village in Chicago, we offer a curated selection of romance novels that celebrate love in all its forms to complement your reading experience. www.thelastchapterbookshop.com
Located in the Northcenter neighborhood of Chicago, Partners in Crime Bookshop is a genre bookstore with a strong focus on romance and mystery. Their unique selection includes new releases, small press and indie-published books, vintage pulps, and unique gifts! www.partnersincrimebookshop.com
Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, LLC, the country’s first and only organization that hosts running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, freelance writer, and runner Allison Yates, the mission of Read & Run Tours, LLC and its city chapters is to use movement and stories to explore locations. Our community-focused run programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs all inspired by books written by local authors, set in the cities where chapters are located. While connecting runners to the city’s stories, we also actively support literacy programs, public libraries, independent bookstores, and local authors. www.readandrunchicago.com
StoryStudio Chicago is a Ravenswood-based nonprofit literary arts organization focused on building a writing community. We offer more than 200 online and in-person creative writing classes and events each year, which include everything from single-session classes focused on one aspect of craft to multi-session weekly classes to full year-long programs. We nurture writers of all ages and all skill levels and our programming covers all genres, from short stories and novels, to creative nonfiction like memoirs and essays, to poetry, screenwriting, satire, and just about anything you can imagine. www.storystudiochicago.org
Three Avenues Book Shop is a general interest bookstore with a focus in kids’ lit and disability. Our owners are married couple Tim and Jordan. Located in West Lakeview, we have a small and mighty team of amazing booksellers who make our space the space it is. We’re passionate about highlighting authors and illustrators from marginalized and historically marginalized communities, including Black and Brown, indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQIA2S+, disabled, and neurodivergent folks. www.threeavenuesbookshop.com
This is 21+ event. Attendees must show a valid photo ID at the door to enter.
Get Lit is your way to enjoy evenings in the Loop. Meet friends and fellow book nerds for an early evening treat. Each month, the AWM serves drinks, games, special experiences, and fun activities to get you lit! Funds raised at this event go towards the AWM’s Write In Youth Education Program, which serves middle and high school students from under-resourced schools. See our other upcoming GET LIT events here.