The Chicago Reader BOOK CLUB

Mikki Kendall

Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot

Author Talk: Oct. 22, 2020

Sonali Dev Recipe for Persuasion

Author Talk: Nov. 19, 2020

Riva Lehrer Golem Girl

Author Talk: Dec. 17, 2020

Emil Ferris My Favorite Thing Is Monsters

Author Talk: Jan. 28, 2021

Eve Ewing

1919

Author Talk: Feb. 25, 2021

Nnedi Okorafor Remote Control

Author Talk: Mar. 25, 2021

Natalie Moore

The South Side

Author Talk: Apr. 22, 2021

Rebecca Makkai

The Great Believers

Author Talk: May 26, 2021

Fatimah Asghar

If They Come for Us

Author Talk: June 24, 2021

Presented by:

CHICAGO READER INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE PROFILE: BUCKET O’ BLOOD BOOKS & RECORDS

WRITTEN BY TARYN ALLEN

Kayla Ancrum

Darling

Author Talk: July 22, 2021

Jessica Hopper (TBD)

Author Talk: Aug. 26, 2021

Precious Brady-Davis

I Have Always Been Me: A Memoir

Author Talk: Sep. 23, 2021

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Originally a humble storefront in Logan Square, Bucket O’ Blood Books & Records opened its doors in 2010. Founder Marc Ruvolo first created the shop to sell used science fiction, horror, and fantasy books, but when he stepped away in 2013 and Grant and Jennifer McKee took over, Bucket O’ Blood truly began to blossom into the neighborhood staple it is today. The couple moved the store to a larger location in Avondale in 2015, taking advantage of the added space to expand both used and new inventory. They still focus on genre fiction, plus graphic novels, the occult, and true crime—they are called Bucket O’ Blood, a er all.

As inventory grew, so did community outreach. Pre-pandemic, the store was constantly hosting book signings and releases, film screenings, board game nights, monthly book clubs, and other events. The McKees are proud of the diverse community of genre fiction fans and authors that they’ve fostered at the shop; it’s brought them meaningful connections and even lifelong friends.

“As a store that focuses on genre fiction, we ultimately sell an escape from the daily stresses and reality that can feel crushing. But beyond the physical books, we provide a space for people to express themselves and connect with us,” the McKees note. “We strive to make our customers feel comfortable and respected, but we don’t forget that fun is a big part of that. We’re honored to have regular customers that share parts of their lives with us—from taking engagement photos at the store, texting us baby pics, inviting us to birthday parties, dropping off baked goods, and so many other expressions of how a local business can cement itself as part of a community.”

The owners of Bucket O’ Blood have also made it a priority to create community with more than just authors and book-lovers. The McKees have held food drives for the CHIditarod Foundation, fundraised for Black Lives Matter Chicago, sourced art supplies for Assata’s Daughters, run book drives for Chicago Books to Women in Prison, fundraised for CIVL, and worked with Liberation Library to send books to Illinois’s incarcerated youth.

“Independent bookstores are a vital part of Chicago, as we draw people together to share their interests and experiences with each other in a setting that provides a different feeling than a bar or coffeehouse, purely by channeling the focus toward the written word.” The owners continue, “Not only have we, as an independent bookstore, created a community focused around our store, but we also exist in a larger community of people who respect, support, and love literature and Chicago’s amazing environment of independent booksellers.”

Bucket O’ Blood is available for pickup, delivery, or shipping Wednesday through Sunday. They have in-store shopping on Saturdays by appointment only. Book appointments and shop online at www.bucketoblood.com, and reach out via text, DM, or e-mail for special orders or questions.

This yearlong partnership with independent bookstores is supported by the Poetry Foundation.