Upcoming events.
Better Pets, Leigh Bardugo & Liz Climo
STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS meets THE BAKERY DRAGON in this laugh out loud picture book about finding the perfect pet, from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo and internationally bestselling illustrator Liz Climo, BETTER PETS!
Join us for a conversation with Leigh and Liz, followed by a signing. We will also have adoptable pups from our rescue partner, Chicago Rescue Authority, on site! What better way to celebrate a book all about finding your perfect pet than to surround yourself with pups looking for their forever homes?
Tickets include one (1) signed copy of BETTER PETS and entry for one (1) family.
Pride Drag Story Hour
Join Matchmaker Bookshop in partnership with Highwood Pride in welcoming local drag artist Mrs. Yuka for our very first Drag Story Hour!
WHAT IS DRAG STORY HOUR?
It’s just what it sounds like! Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores.
DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.
In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!
OUR MISSION
Drag Story Hour celebrates reading through the glamorous art of drag. Our affiliate network creates diverse, accessible, and culturally-inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities.
OUR VISION
We envision a world where kids can learn from LGBTQ+ stories and experiences to love themselves, celebrate the fabulous diversity in their communities, and stand up for what they believe in and each other,
Please note that this is a ticketed event. Tickets prices are a sliding scale donation with a suggested donation of $5 per family! All donations go directly to the artist and Drag Story Hour’s registered 501©3
Love Letters Book Club
Book club discussion of The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn. Please note that this month’s club is meeting on the THIRD Tuesday to accommodate a scheduling conflict.
Tia Williams - The Missed Connection
New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams returns with an intensely romantic, deliciously sexy tale about a woman searching for her handsome seatmate on a European flight—and the unexpected places her hunt for love leads her.
Join Matchmaker Bookshop in welcoming New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams for a conversation about her latest novel, The Missed Connection! We're teaming up with The Wayfarer Theater to bring you a larger scale event! Tickets to this event include one (1) signed and personalized copy of The Missed Connection and admits one (1) individual.
Zibby's Chicago Petite Retreat
Join Matchmaker Bookshop as we host Zibby Owens for an exclusive book lovers retreat including a private bookstore experience, luncheon, and more!
You're invited to an exclusive literary event on Saturday, July 25th, from 10:30 am to 2 pm, right here at Matchmaker Bookshop!
Tickets include:
A (very) early, signed copy of Zibby's new book, Between Books
Personalized recommendations from Zibby and the dedicated Matchmaker Bookshop team
An intimate, moderated conversation and Q&A with Zibby
A delicious, seated, 3-course lunch at DeNucci's Restaurant
A premium gift bag
Matchmaker Book Club
Book club discussion of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Lavender Lit Book Club
Book club discussion of Even Though I Knew The End by C.L. Polk.
Summer Sip 'N Shop
Let’s sip, snack, and find the perfect read! Find the perfect start of summer beach reads, get some matchmade recs, try out our book bedazzling craft, and sip on a fruity cocktail or mocktail. Tickets: $15 (includes drinks, snacks, and crafts!)
PETUNIA THE PONY
This Saturday, May 9 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on our back patio, meet Petunia the Pony, star of the new book WHEN PETUNIA CAME TO STAY! Purchases of the book benefit The Loving Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing lifelong sanctuary, compassionate care, and unconditional love to unwanted, geriatric, and at-risk horses. Photographer Kristin Milito will also be on hand to offer photography packages for a donation to Petunia’s care.
Mother's Day Card WORKSHOP
We’re reprising this popular event for Mother’s Day! Bring your little makers in this weekend to create special cards for all the moms in your life. We’ll have all the craft supplies you’ll need! Come any time during store hours on Saturday, May 9 or Sunday, May 10. Cards are $5 each and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Remarkably Bright Creatures: Conversation with Shelby Van Pelt & Olivia Newman
Join us for a conversation and book signing with the Shelby Van Pelt and Olivia Newman, the author and the director of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES! Shelby and Oliva will be in conversation with Matchmaker’s very own, Elissa Duria Smith to discuss the book to screen process. This is a free event and copies of the book will be available for purchase!
WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY FOR THIS EVENT.
Only those with a confirmed RSVP will be granted admittance. Thank you for your continued support of our local bookshop and we apologize for any inconvenience!
“NEED TO KNOWS” for this event:
Please feel free to bring in your own copy of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES to be signed. It does NOT need to be a copy purchased from Matchmaker!
Due to high demand, Shelby will only be signing ONE (1) copy of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES per person and we cannot guarantee personalization.
This event is at capacity, so there will only be a LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS. Please arrive early to get a seat; otherwise, it will be standing room only. If you need accommodations, please let our staff know by calling or texting the shop at (847) 926-7554, and we will assist to the absolute best of our ability.
The shop will be CLOSED at 2:30 pm for set up and will reopen at 3:30 pm to begin seating. Please arrive promptly!
We will only have a limited number of copies of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES available for purchase. Please reserve your copy on our website in order to guarantee yours. PAPERBACK EDITION MOVIE TIE-IN EDITION
Matchmaker Book Club
Book club discussion of The Favorites by Layne Fargo with a special guest appearance by the author! Come ready for a lively discussion and any books purchased from Matchmaker will be signed!
Lavender Lit Book Club
Book club discussion of Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. (Please note: This meeting has been rescheduled due to and event on the regular book club meeting day.)
One Romantic Evening
Join Matchmaker Bookshop in welcoming three incredible Romance authors! Ali Rosen (The Slow Burn) and Sonali Dev (How Simi Got Her Groom Back) in conversation with one half of the writing duo that make up Ali Brady, Alison Hammer (Battle of the Bookstores). Tickets to this event include one (1) cocktail OR mocktail courtesy of Indus Progressive Indian! Add-ons of each of the author's books are available when purchasing your ticket or you can purchase copies of each of the author's books in store at Matchmaker.
(Please note that only books purchased from Matchmaker Bookshop will be signed by the authors at this event. We appreciate your understanding and support of small businesses like ours!)
Lavender Lit Book Club
Join is in discussing It Lasts Forever and Then Its Over by Anne De Marcken!
Galentine's Sip 'N Shop
Looking for an escapist dream surrounded by warmth, books, snacks, and fellow book lovers? Join us for Matchmaker’s inaugural after hours Galentine’s Sip and Shop! We will have blind dates with books, matchmade staff recommendations, a craft station, and of course wine (or sparkling cider) and light snacks. Space is limited, so get your $15 ticket today!
Matchmaker Book Club
Join us for our inaugural Matchmaker Book Club! This book club will meet monthly on the 4th Thursday (because of a scheduling conflict, this first meeting will be on the 5th Thursday) and focus on general literary fiction. For our first book, we will be discussing Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. There is no cost to attend the book club, but if you plan to purchase the book, please buy through us! Come ready for a fun a lively discussion!
Vision Board Workshop
What are your BIG GOALS for 2026? Looking for a way to keep your vision on track? Join us for a vision boarding workshop, where we'll dream and scheme to manifest the 2026 you want! Grab a friend and come to Matchmaker on January 21 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Tickets are $15 and include light refreshments, crafty vibes, and all the supplies you'll need to go home with your own vision board. RSVP using the form below!
Lavender Lit Book Club
Join us for our inaugural Lavender Lit Book Club! This book club will meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday and focus on LGBTQ+ literature. For our first book, we will be discussing A Sharp Endless Need by Marisa Crane. There is no cost to attend the book club, but if you plan to purchase the book, please buy through us! Come ready for a fun a lively discussion!
Love Letters Book Club
Join us for our inaugural Love Letters Book Club! This book club will meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday and focus on romance novels. At our first meeting we will be discussing Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage. There is no cost to attend the book club, but if you plan to purchase the book, please buy through us! Come ready for a fun a lively discussion!
Bedazzle a Book Night
Flex your crafting muscles at Matchmaker Bookshop for a sparkly, festive evening where we transform ordinary book covers into bedazzled works of art! This hands-on event is the perfect way to make your next read truly shine, or give it as a holiday gift to someone special!
Ages: 16+ or 12+ with an accompanying adult (both adult and child must purchase tickets)
Cost: $15 per participant, plus the book of your choice purchased at Matchmaker (you can call ahead or purchase your book on the evening of the event)
We’ll provide all of the crafting materials plus light refreshments! So grab a friend and get ready for a night of literary sparkle and holiday magic!
Holiday Mayhem (and fun) with Beth Kander and Jenna Satterthwaite
Christmas Chaos. Hanukkah Heartache. New Year's Eve Nightmares.
The holidays can be a LOT.
Join us in escaping holiday stress with local authors Beth Kander (I Made it Out of Clay) and Jenna Satterthwaite (The New Year’s Party) as they talk about how the holidays feature in their latest books, why monsters and mayhem lend themselves to seasonal storytelling, and all things holidays and books. Come for the author talk and fun activities, stay for a little holiday shopping, signed gifts, and cheer!
Small Business Saturday
Join us in celebrating local business for our very first Small Business Saturday! We will be extending our hours and opening at 9 AM for all of those early bird shoppers. All of our booksellers are so excited to matchmake everyone on your list with the perfect read!
Pups & Pages with Chicago Rescue Authority
Santa Paws is coming to Matchmaker Bookshop and bringing some absolutely adorable adoptable pups from Chicagoland dog rescue, Chicago Rescue Authority! Take a break from the Black Friday madness and help a pup in need find their forever home. Chicago Rescue Authority will be doing on-site adoptions and have information for anyone willing to open up their home to foster as well! RSVP below if you plan on stopping by.
Reading with Mitch Friedman
Join us for a reading and signing with highland park native, mitch friedman!
Matchmaker Bookshop is excited to welcome author Mitch Friedman for a reading and signing of his latest book, Conservation Confidential. Mitch describes his book as memoirish, sharing stories from his 40 years of leadership in nature conservation and the lessons/guidance that yield to activists of all sorts. We will have copies of the book available for purchase to be signed by the author. Please RSVP below for this event.
Storytime with Miss Cathy
Join us for our weekly Storytime with Miss Cathy! This week she will be reading the first installment from Jon Klassen’s “Your Places” series and have some matching activities.
Banned Books Week Read-In
We have teamed up with Libro.fm and Silent Book Club to host a read-in to protest against censorship during Banned Books Week! What’s a read-in? Bring your current read or have one of our booksellers matchmake you with a new pick (perhaps a book that’s been banned!), find a cozy spot in the shop or on the patio, and read! No pressure. No need for discussion. Just some quality silent reading time. All participants will also receive a free audiobook from Libro.fm.