Summer is a great time for digging into books you've been planning to read. Did you know there's an acronym for that? For books you intend to read? TBR (to be read) is a popular Twitter hashtag among book lovers and literacy advocates.
(Here's how Book Riot defines TBR.)
Whether you're looking forward to a bit of hammock time or a week of lazy lakeside afternoons (or dreading endless hours in the airport or car...), summer presents limitless opps for hopping into fictional worlds, expanding understanding of real-life events... or both.
I was hungry for book recommendations for Summer 2018, so I reached out to some friends who are always in the know. Below you'll find titles on the TBR lists of Chicago media folks. (Book links rotate between Amazon, Indie Bound and Barnes & Noble - wanted to share the love.) Hope you enjoy the round up!
Maudlyne Ihejirika
Maudlyne Ihejirika, urban affairs reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, is reading Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Anchor). Maudlyne is the author of Escape from Nigeria: A Memoir of Faith, Love and War (Red Sea Press). She also is president of the Chicago NABJ Chapter. Follow Maudlyne on Twitter: @maudlynei
D. Graham Kostic
D. Graham Kostic, creative and editorial director of online video magazine Glossed & Found, is reading Birds of America by Lorrie Moore (Vintage). If interior design and home decorating brings you joy, you'll love Graham's Instagram account for his incredible home, Hillside House. Follow Graham on Twitter: @dgrahamkostic
Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore, South Side reporter for WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, plans to read Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston (Amistad). Natalie is the author of The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation (St. Martin's Press), winner of the 2016 Chicago Review of Books award for nonfiction and a Buzzfeed best nonfiction book of 2016. Follow Natalie on Twitter: @natalieymoore
Kevin Kaduk
Kevin Kaduk, blogs editor at Yahoo Sports, plans to read The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (Anchor). Kevin is co-host of Yahoo Sports' Grandstanding podcast, founder of Big League Stew (now Yahoo Sports MLB). He also is the author of Wrigleyworld: A Season in Baseball's Best Neighborhood (Berkley). Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinKaduk
Candace Jordan
Candace Jordan, Chicago media personality and social columnist for the Chicago Tribune, plans to read The Pharaoh Key by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central Publishing). Candace blogs at www.candidcandace.com and is the host of Candid Candace TV. Follow Candace on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @CandidCandace
Bob Sirott
Bob Sirott, Chicago news anchor and media personality, plans to read Rocket Men by Robert Kurson (Random House). Bob has reported on Chicago news for NBC5, Fox 32, WTTW's Chicago Tonight, WGN Radio and WLS-AM. Check out Suso's Fork, a new cuisine, culture and lifestyle blog created by Bob and his wife Marianne Murciano. Follow Bob on Twitter: @BobSirott
Maggie Hendricks
Maggie Hendricks, a reporter for USA Today Sports and co-host of the Julie and Maggie Show on 670 The Score, plans to read The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas (Delacorte Press). Follow Maggie on Twitter: @maggiehendricks
Many thanks to Maudlyne, Graham, Natalie, Kevin, Candace, Bob and Maggie! In the comments section below, please share what you're reading this summer. Look forward to checking out your picks!