Books on the Chopping Block
Multiple Dates
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.
Books on the Chopping Block is our annual 60-minute performance of dramatic readings of short excerpts taken from these books. City Lit has teamed up with the ALA in celebration of Banned Books Week since 2006, performing at special events, libraries and bookstores in and around Chicago… and virtually this year.
City Lit Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor says, “The freedom to read is essential to a civilized society. For many marginalized communities, the freedom to read represents the freedom to be themselves. City Lit is proud to continue its BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK program at a time when attempts at book banning are at an all-time high. We are pleased to ally ourselves with the American Library Association in this important work.”
All the books in the list are available from your local library and to buy from Bookshop.org (if you click on the books below and buy copies City Lit gets a small cut!).
Monday, October 6th, 2025
DePaul Theatre School, Lobby 11:30-1:30pm
2350 N Racine Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60614
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025
Wilmette Public Library: 6:30pm
1242 Wilmette Ave.,
Wilmette, IL 60091
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
Northbrook Public Library. 7:00pm.
1201 Cedar Lane,
Northbrook, IL
Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Edgewater Library Branch. 2:00pm.
6000 N Broadway,
Chicago, IL 60660
