CHICAGO — Natalie Moore has something in common with Amy Schumer.
Moore, WBEZ's South Side reporter, joined the superstar Schumer as authors whose books were among the most checked-out at Chicago Public Libraries in 2016.
Moore's "The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation" was among the top six books that were most checked-out at neighborhood libraries, joining Schumer's "The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo" and other national best-sellers like Emma Cline's "The Girls."
"I’m thrilled that so many Chicagoans have checked out this book via the library," Moore said. "This past year has been amazing, and the book’s response exceeded my expectations."
Moore said her book — showcasing the lives of city residents in underserved communities and how segregation has impacted them — struck a nerve with Chicagoans.
"I think race is always an issue, but there are moments when it is more on people's radars," Moore said. "With some of the issues that Chicago is facing, I think people were wanting another lens as to why Chicago is facing some of the challenges it is facing."
Moore said she never expected to have one of the most popular library books in Chicago over a single year, especially since the book was released in March.
"It wasn't something I was angling for," she said. "It touched a nerve, and that people understand what I was trying to accomplish, to me that is more important than sales."
She said word-of-mouth and positive reviews — The Reader called the book "a powerful political document" — contributed to its popularity. Moore said she also was invited to speak about the book at a few library branches.
Moore said the book is available online and at most Chicago bookstores. Her favorite is 57th Street Books, part of the Seminary Co-Op bookstores.
