‘HE HAD IT COMING’

“Chicago The Musical” has played on Broadway for more than 9,600 performances since it premiered on Nov. 14, 1996, yet not many people know the characters of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and others are inspired by real women. Their stories were captured by Tribune reporters including Maurine Watkins, who worked at the newspaper for just eight months in 1924. Watkins drew on her access to women accused of murder inside Cook County Jail to write a three-act play that later became “Chicago.” For the first time in almost a century, see photos of these real women that were discovered by Tribune photo department. This new book also includes original newspaper clippings, Watkins’ stories and new analysis written by Tribune reporter Kori Rumore, film critic Michael Phillips, theater critic Chris Jones and columnists Heidi Stevens and Rick Kogan.

“Even the Terrible Things Seem Beautiful to Me Now,

2nd Edition” Over the last two decades, Mary Schmich’s column in the Tribune has offered advice, humor and discerning commentary on a broad array of topics including family, personal milestones, mental illness, writing and life in Chicago. This second edition — updated to include Schmich’s best pieces since its original publication — collects her ten Pulitzer-winning columns along with more than 150 others, creating a compelling collection that reflects Schmich’s thoughtful, insightful and engaging sensibility.