Exclusive Portrait

CHICAGO – Kim Gordon was part of a rock revolution in the 1980s and ‘90s, as part of the sound called Sonic Youth. She has written a memoir about those days, “Girl in a Band,” and promoted that book through an appearance sponsored by the Chicago Humanities Festival on February 26th, 2015, at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago.

CHICAGO – It’s easy to recognize the author, producer and actor B.J. Novak from his many years on the TV series “The Office.” His latest project is his children’s title, “The Book with No Pictures,” and he came to Chicago last fall, for an appearance sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop (Naperville, Ill.) at North Central College.

CHICAGO – Raconteur, comedian and Twitter star Patton Oswalt has a new book out, entitled “Silver Screen Fiend.” In it, he chronicles his love for the movies and how it shaped his worldview. He appeared at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., at an event sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop.

CHICAGO – John Cleese, the tallest member of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” has written a new book, and came to the Chicago suburbs to promote it. Anderson’s Bookshop sponsored Cleese’s appearance at the Tivoli Theater in Downer’s Grove for his memoir “So, Anyway.”

CHICAGO – Fans of the 1990s series “Boy Meets World” would probably still like to meet the actress that portrayed Topanga, Danielle Fishel. For seven seasons, she was the dream girl for the the title “Boy,” Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), and has recently wrote her memoir, called “Normally This Would Be Cause for Concern.” She is also featured on the 2014 Disney Channel spin-off, “Girl Meets World.”

CHICAGO – Former president George W. Bush appeared in Naperville, Ill., at Anderson’s Bookshop to promote his book, “41: A Portrait of My Father.” The tome is a memoir of the Bush patriarch, George H.W. Bush, who was the 41st president.

CHICAGO – The famed Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston comes from a lineage of Hollywood royalty – her father John was a legendary director and her grandfather Walter was a noted actor. She brought all of that history to the Chicago Humanities Festival, where she was featured at the Closing Event on November 14th, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple.

CHICAGO – Sometimes it take awhile to be an overnight sensation, but Bob Odenkirk will be on the precipice of that kingdom when the “Breaking Bad” spin-off show, “Better Call Saul” premieres in February of next year on the AMC Network. Odenkirk was recently in Chicago to promote his new book, “A Load of Hooey.” in an appearance that took place at the Up Comedy Club on Wells Street in the city.

CHICAGO – Melissa Gilbert has grown up a bit since portraying Laura Ingalls on the 1970s TV classic “Little House on the Prairie,” but her roots aren’t far behind. She’s just released “My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food from My Little House to Yours,” and appeared last month at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. – at an event sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop – to greet admirers and sign her new menu planner.

CHICAGO – The 2014 and 50th Chicago International Film Festival kicks off this week on October 9th, and had a Chicago Red Carpet preview on October 5th with the new film “The Judge,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and directed by David Dobkin.