The anthology you should all consider to add to your shelves.
Song Vibe check:
"Downtown -Downtempo" By: Anya Taylor Joy
"Metropolis" By: Owl City
"plz don't waste my youth" By: Au/Ra
I've always liked history.
I've always enjoyed the glimpse of the past, of seeing the good, the bad and everything in between. I always preferred to learn more about the history of other places which led to a huge phase of Ancient Greek and Egyptian history when I was younger, but as we all grow up, we all become attached to history, and the way it shapes us. We focus on the history that surrounds us, of the history we forget, the history we never hear, forgotten tales that only get told through generations and generations of storytelling.
And... being from Chicago, the Windy City, the chaotic and constantly shifting city that has rebuilt from the ashes, that has seen crime and has learned to live with it, the city that has the best deep dish pizza and the sights that people from all over the world who rush to see what we have to offer, our history is a chaotic one. History books are great to tell the factual events, but not what it's like to live and breathe in the past.
CUE.... Growing Up Chicago.
My way to this anthology took an interesting path. I was just starting college, stuck at home and wondering how I could leave a mark in a place as big as a university. It's easy to say that you leave a mark behind, like when we read a book that stays with us, but Growing Up Chicago is a lot more than that. I was just starting college when I heard the idea of considering undergrad research as something that could enrich my time in college. I tried it, setting up a meeting to meet the person who would later become my major advisor, mentor and boss. I was officially a research assistant in the fall of 2021 and Growing Up Chicago was just a manuscript that needed some polishing.
Multiple rounds of checking all the typos and errors that appeared, many text conversations, zoom meetings and a lot of waiting and doing just about everything to see this book come to life, Growing Up Chicago is finally out in the world.
The short summary: An essay anthology collection of stories capturing what growing up in Chicago was like, all within the past fifty years.
The long version: A project that captures my love of reading, my interest in Chicago History, my vision of writing and a book that is now out in the world, waiting for it's next reader. From stories of wanting to be free and rebellious, to stories of first crushes, dreams we ache to reach and memories of families that gave it all to fit in, this collection of essays from Chicago writers capture so many moments in Chicago history we don't hear about often.
What was it like to be passing out buttons for people to vote for Harold Washington? Dhana Marie Branton's piece can give you that answer. What's it like to crush on someone who your family doesn't like when there is the ideal boy your family wants? Samira Ahmed can give you the details. What's it like to chase a dream you know your parents don't approve of? Charles Johnson can give the recap. Or... what if you saved yourself from Detention because President Kennedy got shot? James McManus can recall the chilling details of the day that changed his life.
All of these stories capture the feelings of growing up, of trying to find ourselves through the chaotic beats of life, through the ever- shifting nature of history changing. Even now, fifty years later, as we see our very world changing and going through wars, political conflicts around the world, education being threatened and even women's reproductive rights being condemned by the Supreme Court causing our progress to go backwards-- even in these turbulent moments, we can see ourselves in some way with this book.
This book seeks to speak to every person out there who recalls the days of finding ourselves and understanding what it's like to be in a place that is ALWAYS changing. This book is to remind others to share their stories, because each story matters. This book is meant to be a cultural keepsake that captures the chaotic diversity of the city of Chicago and of who we are as people. This book is for all of you, no matter where you're from. If you're from Chicago, you will understand this book. Even if you're from somewhere else, you can still relate to it and while some may believe this is me shamelessly promoting this book, it might be.
But, this book has changed my life and it was super fun to read, and I know that even if you're not the type of reader that enjoys non-fiction pieces or memoirs/essays, the stories told will capture your heart and not let go. So, make sure to add this book to your list and order your copy here!(And if you enter the code NUP2022 you get a sweet 25% off!)
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