Read me like a book

On all my trips to Chicago since 2006, I've in stayed in Printers Row. It's never worked out, however, that I've been here for the neighbourhood's biggest event: the annual Lit Fest. This year - I got lucky!

Yesterday I saw the streets being cordoned off and the tents set up, and today it's been hot and sunny and the area's packed. There are stalls with publishers and second-hand book dealers; authors happy to chat and sign books for old and new fans; poetry and prose readings; genre panels with well-known writers; kids' activities; cookery demonstrations by cookbook authors; live music; enterprising local students offering to wash cars; and of course, fast food.

I'm usually too shy to take street portraits or candid shots, but here, with authors out to meet the public and promote their work, I felt they were fair game. You can see a selection of my shots here.

For my blip, though, I've chosen the Human Library Chicago. The "books" are people. You see the list of topics available, and sign up to "borrow" the relevant books. Once they're free, you sit down, hear what they have to say, and discuss it with them.

My book's title was "Atheist". Shaneen talks about what shaped her views on religion, and how she decided to "come out" as an atheist. Her use of that expression gives you an idea of how that position is viewed here, in a country where many have strong, some would say fundamentalist, Christian views. She's respectful of other people's right to believe in whatever they choose - she's not the vocal, Richard Dawkins type of atheist - but was badly bullied over it at school. Her immediate family, though most of them are still committed Catholics, respect her decision; her relatives in the Philippines, however, have told her she is no longer welcome to visit them there.