Hi! My name’s Molly English, and I’m excited to announce that I will be joining Open Books this fall as one of their new Literacy Interns. In fact, I’m more than excited! I’m over the moon with this opportunity to foster a sincere appreciation for reading and communicating in today’s youth! At a young age, I also became captivated with the language arts, and that passion greatly influenced my future as a creative individual. I’m now a published writer, painter, and preformative sculptor, and I’ve never lost sight of the truth that these forms, though very different, are each made of language. The applications of language may be infinite, so for me to plant the seed of its possibilities simply by sharing my love for reading—it’s awesome to say the least.  

I’m originally from Trout Valley, a village that doubles as a historical site and nature preserve. It’s up in the northwest suburbs close to Barrington and Crystal Lake. I later moved to Chicago after transferring from the University of Iowa’s undergraduate creative writing program. Once here, I attended Columbia College Chicago where, just this May, I received my bachelor’s degree in fine arts and poetry. I now live in Logan Square with my partner Max, and my dog-friend/magical baby/perfect little angel named Little Brother. As I mentioned before, I’m a practicing fine artist. In addition to my artmaking, I work as a painting instructor and events coordinator at Pinot’s Palette in Logan Square. I also work as an artist assistant for Darryll Schiff Fine Arts on the Near West Side and do freelance illustration and design work for a few clients (small presses mostly!). For a recent stint, I was addicted to sweepstaking (I won a couple) so I’ll just add that to the list too.

Some things I like are: tea, wildlife, cooking, printmaking, plants, swimming, hiking, camping, photography, anything spooky, handwriting, float tanks, digging for clams, chocolate milkshakes, pangolins, autumn, and good podcasts. Of course, I also really like Open Books!

Here’s looking forward to a great semester spreading love and literacy!

Bio

Molly English comes from a little spot northwest of Chicago where she grew up My-Side-of-the-Mountain-style eating wild blackberries and “befriending” wilder animals. She’s a little less of a swamp person now, though only very slightly, after moving to the big city, receiving her bachelor’s degree in fine arts and poetry from Columbia College, and beginning an internship at Open Books. When she’s not spreading the joy of reading or running barefoot through the wilderness, Molly is a practicing artist and poet. She paints mainly in oils and uses a variety of found, often organic materials for her performative sculptures. She currently lives in Logan Square with her partner Max, and the absolute purest, most beautiful soul of a dog there will ever be, named Little Brother.

The impeccable John Foley is this month’s Vol-Star! This year, John volunteered with both the ReadThenWrite program and the West Loop Bookstore, plus he’s usually around for some of our big events like the Half Off Sale. John is such a committed volunteer that in the past, he has come into the store after going to an event in town like C2E2 because he saw no one was on the schedule to volunteer that day. What’s most amazing about John is his ability to be an incredible coach with students and an important resource for customers—truly a man of many talents!

Name:             John Foley

Neighborhood:  Bridgeport

Job:   High School English Teacher

Open Books programs/events you’ve participated in:

ReadThenWrite Pilsen (3x) and the West Loop bookstore.

What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as an Open Books volunteer so far?

The most rewarding experiences by far are the ReadThenWrite author launches. Seeing the students receive their own writing in those handsome books is great, and then helping them find books in the store is fun too. Last year one little guy wanted nothing but Hulk comic books and helping him dig through the long boxes and choose issues was a blast. Seeing kids find and discover what they’re passionate about reading is what it’s all about.  

What is a tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on?

It would be a love of reading, of course! As a high school teacher, I work with so many young men who never had the opportunity to read for pleasure or leisure when they were younger. As a result, sadly, many of them associate reading with work and boredom.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anything barbecue. This is probably a cheat because that could be more than one food, but I stand by it.  

What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?

I went as Wolverine a few years back. Grooming that kind of facial hair was fun.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

This changes daily, but right now I’d say when someone stands on the escalator taking up both sides so no one else can get by. Yeah, that bothers me.  

What is the earliest book you remember reading, and why was it special?

I remember Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark traumatizing me, but in a good way.  I couldn’t get enough scary stuff. Books like that and comic books made me a lifelong reader. As an adult my reading tastes have expanded, but I’m not sure how much they’ve matured.

What are you reading right now/what’s the last book you finished? Would you recommend it?

Right now I’m reading The South Side by Natalie Y. Moore. If you’re interested in Chicago history or learning about segregation in Chicago, I highly recommend it.  

If you could instantly be good at any given thing, what talent would you choose to have?

Definitely music. I have several friends who are musicians and it is a language I cannot speak. I’d like to learn several instruments, but if I could be “instantly good” without years of practice, I’d sign up for that.

Who is your favorite character from a fiction or non-fiction book?

Ooooh, there are so many! I’d say it’s Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello. Iago is the prototype for the master-planning villain you love to hate. Several times during the play, he breaks the fourth wall and explains his evil plan to you in the audience making you complicit in every terrible thing he does. Also, I love the Endless family from Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series. Each member represents a concept (Death, Destruction, Dream, Desire, etc.) and they bicker and fight amongst themselves as siblings do, but with terrible consequences.

Every Summer, Open Books welcomes awesome new interns to help us with our Publishing Academy program and other projects to prep for the school year. Get to know the first of our interns, Chelsea, below.

Hello! My name is Chelsea Hammersmith, and I’m one of the Summer 2016 Open Books Literacy Interns. I’m a rising junior at Northwestern University, majoring in American Studies (a fact I like to whip out on the fourth of July). I’m from Carol Stream, IL, and I have an older sister and an identical twin sister. I’m fluent in American Sign Language and very much not fluent in French.

I love reading and writing. I don’t know if I have an all-time favorite book, but I love books by funny women, including any of Mindy Kaling’s books and Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I love running and being outside, but I also hate bugs, so I’m in the process of trying to steel myself against the scarier parts of the great outdoors. I spent my spring break with a group of Northwestern students at a sustainable wolf sanctuary in Colorado.

I’m so excited to be with Open Books this summer! My favorite part of my first day here was getting to see a group of seventh graders perform slam poetry about a dream they have for the future; one student wrote a poem about his dream llama farm, and that’s when I knew I was in the right place.

Every Summer, Open Books welcomes awesome new interns to help us with our Publishing Academy program and other projects to prep for the school year. Get to know the first of our interns, Anna, below.

Hello! My name is Anna and I am a Literacy Intern for the Summer of 2016.
I am originally from northern Illinois, but have left the flat lands for the scenic view of New York’s Hudson Valley. There, I attend Bard College where I am pursuing a degree in English and/or Creative Writing (I haven’t quite figured it out yet). During my first year at Bard, the most important thing I learned is that education is the number one tool in life. I believe this all starts with reading, so I am incredibly excited to intern with Open Books and help create a fun environment for reading and writing!

I have been an avid reader ever since I discovered Harry Potter (in case you’d like to know, I am a Ravenclaw), and since then have been inspired to keep reading. Some of my favorite authors include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Philip Roth, Patti Smith, and David Foster Wallace, all of whom have helped shape my life for the better.

I also write fiction, but have recently delved into poetry. Because of this, I always have a notebook handy and I am constantly writing down phrases or ideas. In fact, just this morning, I stopped about five times to write something down before finally making it to Open Books.

When I’m not reading or writing, I am either playing guitar, hanging out in a coffee shop, or watching a hockey game (Go Blackhawks!!!)… all while listening to the latest indie rock band (I’m currently really into Mitski and I will forever be obsessed with Jim Morrison).

Overall, I’m excited to be in Chicago, and even more excited to be at Open Books. I know I am part of an extremely enriching and rewarding organization, and could not be happier!

Every Summer, Open Books welcomes awesome new interns to help us with our Publishing Academy program and other projects to prep for the school year. Get to know the first of our interns, Danielle, below!

Hello all! My name is Danielle, and I will be one of the Literacy Interns at Open Books this summer. As you can see, any mention of books immediately excites me, sending me spiraling into my happy-nerd mode. (Warning: you might see this face rather often, especially if I am spotted in the bookstore). Reading and writing, teaching and learning, friendship and laughter, goofiness and gratitude make up the main core principles and practices of my life. In my free time you might find me sitting at a coffee shop with a friend sharing our favorite quotes from whatever we may be reading that week, standing on my head (or doing some other crazy yoga pose), and/or just laughing and smiling like a fool.

However, as a philosophy major, I do spend much of my time grappling with the ever-present questions of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. There is little I love more than questioning absolutely anything and everything, which led me to my recent decision to supplement my philosophical pursuits with a minor in writing. I figured it might prove beneficial in more ways than one, since reading and writing are two things that heavily feed my soul. Though, the main source of my soul-food diet consists of all things education related, specifically work with youth.

My times as an America Reads Literacy Tutor and an 826 Michigan (aka a non-profit writing help center) volunteer have both given me endless opportunities for hands-on teaching experiences. My hope with my own writing is to communicate my questionings convincingly, efficiently, and effectively and, further, to do so in a wholly human, personal manner. Reading and writing is about connection to me, which has made me already oh so eager to peer into all of the Open Books students’ brains. I cannot wait to learn from them, to see how they think and feel, and to simply listen to all that they have to say. 

Being a California native and current University of Michigan student, I am completely new to Chicago. Admittedly, I am feeling a bit lost and slightly overwhelmed with the city. But I also could not be more confident that this opportunity to be a part of the Open Books team was worth a leap outside of my comfort zone. Needless to say, I am excited for all to come, and if anyone has any suggestions of must see sights in the city or events to check out, I would love to chat! Looking forward to meeting you all!

June’s Vol-Star, Nick Minear, gives his time to both the West Loop bookstore and our programs. Nick is always up for doing tasks “outside” the box—literally! Just stop by the comic book section and see the awesome results of the box decorating he’s doing in this picture. Nick is so open to feedback around improving his rapport with students and he really incorporates it into his everyday volunteering.

Name:  Nick Minear

Neighborhood: East Lakeview

Job:  In December, I retired after 35 years as a tax lawyer

Open Books programs/events you’ve participated in: ReadThenWrite and the West Loop bookstore

What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as an Open Books volunteer so far?

Not a specific moment, but I love seeing students connect their readings in literature to the events in their lives.

What is a tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on?

Trick-or-treaters should be required to tell a joke before receiving any candy. As far as I know, this is a tradition only in Des Moines.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

My wife Karie’s pot roast.

What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?

One year I was Annette Funicello in her Mouseketeer outfit. I was adorable.

What are you reading right now/what’s the last book you finished? Would you recommend it?

I just finished Tolstoy’s War and Peace for a class I’m taking. It’s great but requires a big commitment of time and attention. I also just finished Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf, which I recommend if you’re not ready for such a long-term relationship.  

If you could instantly be good at any given thing, what talent would you choose to have?

Surfing.

What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you wish more people could know? 

I make great pies.

Who is your favorite character from a fiction or non-fiction book?

Flem Snopes, from William Faulkner’s The Hamlet, The Town, and The Mansion.

What is playing on your iPod/CD/record player these days?

The Epic by Kamasi Washington is 3 CDs of jazz that crosses over into funk, soul, and gospel. Also lots of garage rock.

This month’s Vol-Star is the vibrant Carole Deeter. Carole is an incredible ambassador for Open Books, running store activities like the Open Book Club and helping out at special Open Books events like our Open House. She even regularly talks us up on social media! A book lover to the core, she has earned a special place in our hearts as a volunteer who goes above and beyond.

Name: Carole Deeter

Neighborhood: Ravenswood

Job: Legal Recruiting and Professional Development Coordinator at the law firm of Schiff Hardin

Open Books programs/events you’ve participated in: I volunteer in the store and I’m a member of the book club! I’ve helped out at the Sidewalk Sale, the Open House, author events, and probably something else I’m forgetting.

What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as an Open Books volunteer so far?

It’s a tie between book club and getting to help people find the exact book they’re dying for. Getting to lead book club with author Christine Sneed last fall was amazing, and I love how diverse the OB book club is!  

What is a tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on?

Everyone in my family is a huge Notre Dame football fan, and I grew up going to games with my dad or watching with him at home on Saturdays in the fall.  I’m excited to share that with a family of my own someday. Tailgating, generations of family and friends, and football!  

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Macaroni and cheese, hands down! I eat it at least once or twice a week… And I don’t discriminate against cheap box mac n cheese—I love it all.  

What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?

I made a Where’s Waldo costume last year, and I wore it again this year for the Halloween storytime at OB!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who walk through revolving doors but won’t push.  

What is the earliest book you remember reading, and why was it special?

I don’t remember any particular book from my childhood as being the first, but much to my parents’ chagrin, I didn’t actually love to read until I got older. The first book I remember hitting me and sitting with me was To Kill A Mockingbird.  I pushed for more discussion of that book in my middle school language arts class than the teacher had time for, and I remember being outraged and fascinated (my parents are both lawyers, so the legal aspect fascinated me).  I’ve read it many times since the first time, and it’s shaped a huge part of my worldview and life. I was devastated with Harper Lee passed away this year.  

What are you reading right now/what’s the last book you finished? Would you recommend it?

Currently reading Helen Simonson’s The Summer before the War—I read her debut novel (Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand) when I first moved to Chicago about 6 years ago and loved it. This is the first novel she’s written since then. I love British literature, and so far this one is holding up!

If you could instantly be good at any given thing, what talent would you choose to have?

I wish I were a great writer! I devour books, but I’m not very good at writing anything that’s not a persuasive email. I’d love to be able to write stories of some kind.  

Who is your favorite character from a fiction or non-fiction book?

Maisie Dobbs from Jacqueline Winspeare’s Maisie Dobbs series. She’s an independent woman who’s made her own way in the world, she solves mysteries, and she works through life’s hard issues. When I’m finally able to get a dog, she’ll definitely be named Maisie.  

What is playing on your iPod/CD/record player these days?

Any and everything by Ben Folds. And lately I’ve pulled out my original broadway cast recording of the musical Rent.