A Native Daughter Composes An Intricate Score

April 16, 2015 | Comments

The Jazz Palace
Author: Mary Morris
Year of Release: 2015
256 pages

Mary Morris' The Jazz Palace reads like a glorious jazz riff. Chock-full of the history of post World War I Chicago, the story focuses on a gifted young piano player and his pursuit of a new form of music. I had the great pleasure of chatting with author and fellow Chicago native Mary Morris about her latest novel. Click through to hear her thoughts on the book, Chicago and Jazz. Plus we have the author's own jazz playlist and a reading guide for book clubs.

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The Paying Guests: A Path to #wheretoread!

February 23, 2015 | Comments

Author: Sarah Waters
Year of Release: 2014
Pages: 576

Sarah Waters sixth novel is an historical, love story, crime thriller that shows remarkable restraint. Under pressure to complete the novel by a deadline, The Paying Guests kicked off our Instagram project: #wheretoread. Follow us at litcafe to see all the places we tuck in to escape into the page. Then tell us #whereuread!

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Apr 10, 2024

La Period Creuse

Apr 10, 2024

The Lit Cafe has always been a refuge for me during fallow periods or what the French call “La Period Creuse.” I have always loved the idea of this site - wanting it be a community of interesting ideas and actions. The obvious start was books - a natural home for all these things. But 10 years on—is that enough? So, the challenge over the next few months will be to reshape and renew The Cafe…and perhaps myself along the way.

Apr 10, 2024

Apr 18, 2020

Covid Spring 2020

Apr 18, 2020

So, this remarkable quarantine seems as good as time as any to try and reforge and reset The Literary Cafe. Perhaps we can find some unique purpose that will inform, help and amuse people during this challenging time. Like everyone, I’m adapting and also discovering new things and silver linings. I will share books, ideas, websites and some terrific new vendors that may help you through as they have helped me. Onward…

Apr 18, 2020

Jun 12, 2019

Mincing in Montreal

Jun 12, 2019

A group of my friends was searching for a getaway — somewhere close but not too close — where we could gather for a holiday weekend. Canada seemed high on everyone’s list and Montreal seemed to fit the bill. We rented a house close to Mile’s End and had a culinary adventure worth writing about here. One caveat - we did have inside connections as one of our party works in Canada. However, you can all benefit from his insider information here!

Jun 12, 2019