This event has passed
The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit
Past event
Featured Book
The Very Definition of Love
Bridgerton meets Emily Henry in this fresh take on regency romance about a wallflower writing a dictionary of bawdy slang who arranges her own marriage to the ultimate instructor: the town rake.
“Sexy and witty . . . a clever regency romance that kept me giggling.” —Joss Richard, international bestselling author of It’s Different This Time
1816—Harriet Bancroft doesn’t mind that she’s on her fifth season with no marriage prospects, it gives her more time to write her dictionary of modern slang. Words are her passion, especially the exciting, filthy ones men have kept hidden from women for far too long.
Enter the ultimate teacher . . .
When Harriet accidentally finds herself in a compromising situation with the notorious rake Lord Alexander, she has no choice but to sort of kidnap him and strong-arm him into an elopement. This arranged marriage has a very particular condition—it will be in-name-only, leaving each of them to follow their own interests. For Harriet that’s her work; for Alexander, that’s women.
But love has a different lesson in mind . . .
But soon Alexander’s rakish lifestyle is not nearly as fun as spending time with Harriet, and Harriet’s beginning to worry that she might actually like her husband. Behind the closed doors of their respectable home, things become a little . . . complicated. After all, who better teach her the very thorough meaning of these indecent words than the renowned lover, Lord Alexander Stirling?
Perhaps this marriage will teach them both a little more about that word they’ve been avoiding—love.
This book will be available for purchase at the event.
About This Event
The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit
We are excited to welcome Sophia Benoit in conversation with Jen Prokop for an event celebrating the release of The Very Definition of Love!
Featured Author
Sophia Benoit
Sophia Benoit is the author of Well, This Is Exhausting, writes regular columns in GQ and Bustle, and has written for WSJ, The Guardian, The Cut, Fatherly, Insider, Refinery29, Allure, PS, and more. Sophia doesn’t have an MFA from anywhere, and probably isn′t ever going to, much to the chagrin of her father. She is the host of the sex and relationships Ringer podcast None of My Business. Originally from St. Louis, she now lives in Los Angeles with her dog and her boyfriend (but usually only spouses make it into bios, so don’t worry about him).
About the Venue
Women & Children First
Women & Children First believes in the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we have celebrated and amplified underrepresented voices.
Visit store pageMore at Women & Children First
Weekly Morning Storytime!
Join us for Weekly Morning Storytime! Doors open at 10:15 a.m. and the program begins at 10:30 a.m. This is one half hour of stories, songs, and finger plays designed for ages 2 and up, but kids of all ages are welcome! Storytime is led by a rotation of seasoned readers and performers including teaching artist Miss Ruby and W&CF co-founder Miss Linda! Suggested donation of $3/kid.Featured Performers: Ruby Gibson (she/her) is a teaching artist, actor, and playwright who loves to tell stories full of music and magic! Since graduating from Northwestern University in 2022, she has worked with PlayMakers Laboratory, Chicago Children's Theatre, and Evanston Public Library as a teacher and performer. As a playwright, her adaptation of The Little Prince was developed for young audiences across Chicagoland with Improv Playhouse and the Actors Gymnasium. When she’s not playing pretend, you can find Ruby baking, gardening, or reading young adult fantasy novels.Miss Linda is the co-founder of Women & Children First, Chicago's feminist bookstore since 1979! Linda has led kids storytime for more than three decades! Now retired from running the bookstore, she spends her days reading whatever she wants, babysitting several amazing kids in the area, and following the Chicago Sky! She also continues to facilitate the Women's Book Group on the third Tuesday of every month.
Offsite: Susan Stryker at Gerber/Hart LGBTQ+ Library & Archive - SOLD OUT
We are excited to be the bookseller for an event with Susan Stryker at Gerber/Hart LGBTQ+ Library & Archives! Registration is required for this free event. Register through Gerber/Hart's Eventbrite page. Join us at Gerber/Hart LGBTQ+ Library & Archives for a conversation with Susan Stryker about her new book, Changing Gender Gerber-Hart Library and Archives will host the acclaimed author and historian Susan Stryker for a discussion of her new book, Changing Gender on Sunday November 8 at 2pm. Stryker will sit down for a public interview with Loyola University Chicago historian Michelle Nickerson to talk about the book and how it can help us understand and reckon with the challenges facing the LBGTQ+ community in the current political landscape. Seating is limited - RSVP for a seat here. Doors will open at 2pm to welcome registered participants to a reception in the Gerber Hart’s Raffety/Tran Community Room. Visitors can visit the library reading room (and perhaps find a LGBTQ+ book to check out) and exhibit space while enjoying a beverage and bite. At 3pm the event will start in the Atrium with introductory remarks. Audience Q and A will follow. Staff from Women & Children First Books will also be on site selling copies of Changing Gender for purchase at the event. Sponsored by the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership’s Ann F. Baum Speaker Series and the Departments of History and Women’s Studies & Gender Studies at Loyola University Chicago RSVPS required for this free event.
Bad Company: A Thriller by Sara Paretsky
We're excited to host the book launch party for Sara Paretsky in celebration of the release of Bad Company: A Thriller. The date of this event is especially auspicisous as it coincides with Women & Children First's 47th birthday! We've had the honor of hosting Sara for nearly every book she's published throughout her prolific career; we're thrilled to welcome her back once more for this book-signing and conversation with mystery writer Lori Rader-Day!