"The Man with the Golden Arm" is a novel that tells the story of Frankie Machine, a talented card dealer and drummer in post-World War II Chicago who becomes addicted to morphine. The narrative vividly portrays his descent into addiction and his struggles with poverty and crime, while also exploring themes of despair, corruption, and redemption. The book is notable for its gritty depiction of life in the urban underbelly and its nuanced characterizations.

The play explores the dreams and struggles of a Black family living on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s. When the family receives a $10,000 insurance check after the father's death, each member has different ideas about how to use the money. The mother wishes to buy a house to fulfill her late husband's dream of providing a better home for the family, while her son wants to invest in a liquor store to secure their financial future. The daughter seeks to use part of the money for her medical school tuition. Their conflicting aspirations and the pervasive racism of the era put a strain on the family's unity and values, as they strive to find their place in a world that often seems to work against them.

"Studs Lonigan" is a trilogy that follows the life of an Irish-American man growing up in the South Side of Chicago. His life is marked by aimlessness and self-destruction, as he navigates through adolescence into adulthood against the backdrop of the Great Depression. The protagonist's struggle with his own ambitions, societal pressures, and personal weaknesses provides a stark examination of the human condition and the American Dream.

The book is a graphic novel that tells the story of Jimmy Corrigan, an awkward and lonely man in his mid-thirties. Jimmy has lived his entire life under the thumb of his overbearing mother. When he receives a letter from his estranged father, whom he has never met, he embarks on a journey that takes him from his home in Chicago to a small town in Michigan. Along the way, the narrative delves into the lives of his ancestors, revealing a history of loneliness and disappointment that seems to be repeating itself in Jimmy's own life.

"The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui" is a satirical play that uses the rise of a fictional 1930s Chicago mobster, Arturo Ui, to parallel the rise of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. The narrative is a critique of those who allowed Hitler to come to power, emphasizing that his rise was indeed resistible. The play explores themes of power, corruption, manipulation, and the dangers of complacency, showcasing the destructive potential of unchecked ambition and the failure of society to prevent the ascent of dangerous individuals.

Set in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, the story revolves around three main characters: two black maids and a young white woman. The maids, who have spent their lives taking care of white families and raising their children, agree to share their experiences with the young woman, who is an aspiring writer. The book offers a poignant and humorous look at the complex relationships between these women, while also exploring the racial tensions and social changes of the era.

"Left Behind" is a gripping story set in the aftermath of the Rapture, when millions of people around the world suddenly disappear, leaving behind everything but their clothes and personal belongings. The novel follows a group of survivors, including a commercial airline pilot, a journalist, and a college student, as they navigate the chaos and confusion of a world in crisis. As they search for answers and try to understand what has happened, they are drawn to the words of the Bible, which seem to predict the events unfolding around them. Together, they form the Tribulation Force, a group dedicated to fighting the forces of evil and spreading the word of God in a world on the brink of the Apocalypse.

The book is a posthumously published autobiography in the form of a montage of the late playwright's personal writings, letters, interviews, and journal entries. It offers an intimate look into the life of a trailblazing African American woman who navigated the complexities of identity, race, and gender in mid-20th-century America. Through her eloquent and passionate prose, the book captures the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement and the author's own struggles and triumphs as she became the first black woman to have a play performed on Broadway. It serves as an inspiring testament to her enduring legacy and the power of the written word to challenge societal norms.

"Sexual Perversity in Chicago" is a play that explores the relationships and sexual dynamics of two young couples in 1970s Chicago. The narrative dissects the complex nature of sexual relationships, highlighting the characters' struggles with intimacy, communication, and emotional honesty. The play uses humor and sharp dialogue to delve into themes of gender roles, sexual politics, and the difficulty of establishing genuine connections in a culture saturated with false and damaging representations of love and sex.

"Talk Before Sleep" is a heartfelt novel that explores the profound bond between two women as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life. When one of them is diagnosed with breast cancer, their friendship is tested in unimaginable ways. As they grapple with the harsh realities of illness, they find solace in each other, sharing their deepest fears, hopes, and dreams in the quiet hours of the night. The narrative is a poignant exploration of friendship, love, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.

The play delves into the gritty world of small-time criminals, focusing on three men plotting to steal a valuable buffalo nickel from a coin collector. Set in a junk shop, the narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the elusive American Dream. As the characters scheme and the heist unfolds, the play reveals the desperation and moral ambiguity that drive their actions, ultimately questioning the price of their pursuit of wealth and success in a society that seems to have abandoned them.

The book is a scathing critique of the cutthroat world of real estate sales. It follows a group of desperate salesmen in Chicago who are willing to engage in a range of unethical and illegal acts—from lies and flattery to bribery and burglary—to sell undesirable real estate to unwitting buyers. The story is a snapshot of their lives over two days, highlighting the intense pressure they face from their company to close deals by any means necessary in order to survive in a merciless, competitive environment. The narrative delves into themes of capitalism, desperation, and the corrupting influence of a high-stakes sales culture, all while presenting a darkly comedic portrayal of the characters' struggles for success and self-preservation.

In this gripping novel, a man finds himself at a crossroads in life, grappling with the loss of his wife and the disintegration of his marriage. In a spontaneous attempt to escape his pain and find meaning, he embarks on a transformative journey across America with a stolen stash of marijuana and a camera, capturing moments of beauty and introspection. As he travels from the East to the West Coast, his road trip becomes a quest for redemption and self-discovery, revealing the complexities of love, memory, and the pursuit of happiness.

Set in a 1927 Chicago recording studio, the play delves into the complexities of race, art, and the exploitation of Black musicians in the era of the blues. The narrative centers around the fiery and determined Ma Rainey, the "Mother of the Blues," and her band members as they gather to record new songs. Tensions rise between the ambitious trumpeter Levee, who is eager to put his own modern spin on the music, and Ma, who is resolute in her authoritative, traditional style. As the day wears on, the characters' personal grievances and the racial injustices of the time come to the fore, culminating in a climactic moment of violence that exposes the deep frustrations and struggles of being African American artists in a white-dominated industry.

The novel is a sweeping narrative that explores the complexities of African American life and the enduring impact of family legacy through the story of two brothers and their extended families. Moving back and forth in time and place, the book weaves together the brothers' lives, their relationships, and their struggles with identity, migration, and belonging. The narrative delves into the broader African American experience, touching on themes of love, faith, suffering, and redemption, while painting a vivid portrait of twentieth-century America and the historical forces shaping the characters' lives.

"Speed-the-Plow" is a satirical play that delves into the cutthroat world of Hollywood movie production, where art and commerce collide. It follows the story of two ambitious film executives who are faced with a potentially career-defining decision when a seductive temporary secretary presents them with an alternative to their blockbuster project, suggesting a film with a more noble message. The play examines themes of greed, temptation, and the moral compromises often made in the pursuit of success, as the characters navigate the treacherous waters of the entertainment industry, each driven by their own motives and desires.

"The Front Page" is a fast-paced comedic play set in the bustling world of newspaper reporting in 1920s Chicago. It centers around an ambitious, hard-boiled editor determined to keep his star reporter from leaving the profession to get married. The plot thickens when the duo gets embroiled in the high-stakes coverage of an imminent execution, leading to a whirlwind of deception, ethical dilemmas, and madcap antics. The narrative captures the cutthroat journalism environment of the time, exploring themes of media ethics, the pursuit of sensationalism, and the frenetic energy of the newsroom.

"Years of Grace" is a novel that follows the life of a woman named Jane Ward Carver from her adolescence in the late 19th century to her adulthood in the early 20th century. The book explores her struggles and triumphs in navigating societal expectations, love, marriage, and motherhood in a rapidly changing world. The story is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including World War I and the Roaring Twenties, providing a rich and detailed portrait of a woman's life during this transformative era.

"So Big" is a novel that follows the life of Selina Peake De Jong, a woman who moves from Chicago to a rural Dutch community in Illinois after the death of her father. She becomes a school teacher and marries a farmer, living a life of hardship and poverty. Despite the challenges, she instills a love of beauty and art in her son Dirk, who grows up to become a successful architect. The book explores themes of resilience, the American Dream, and the often overlooked value of hard work and artistic integrity.

"Lovecraft Country" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that seamlessly blends elements of horror, science fiction, and historical fiction. Set in the 1950s, the story follows a young African American man named Atticus Turner as he embarks on a dangerous journey through the racially segregated United States. Along the way, Atticus and his friends encounter supernatural forces, face institutional racism, and confront the horrors of Lovecraftian mythology. With its richly drawn characters and exploration of racial tensions, the book offers a unique and compelling perspective on both the genre of horror and the complexities of American society.

The play unfolds in two acts set fifty years apart, examining racial tensions and property ownership in a Chicago neighborhood. The first act takes place in the 1950s and revolves around a white couple who unwittingly sell their home to an African American family, sparking controversy among the white community. The second act is set in the same house in the present day, where the now predominantly African American neighborhood faces gentrification as a white couple plans to buy and renovate the historic home. The work cleverly juxtaposes the two eras, exploring themes of racism, community, and the evolution of attitudes toward race and real estate in America.

The play revolves around the daughter of a recently deceased mathematical genius who grappled with mental illness. As she comes to terms with her father's legacy and her own potential for both genius and madness, she faces the challenge of proving the authorship of a groundbreaking mathematical proof found among her father's papers. The narrative delves into themes of trust, credibility, and the complex bonds between geniuses and their caretakers, all while exploring the fine line between brilliance and insanity.

"The Royale" is a gripping play that delves into the complex world of boxing in the early 20th century, focusing on an African American fighter who dreams of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. As he navigates the racially segregated landscape of the sport, he must confront not only his opponents in the ring but also the societal challenges and personal sacrifices that come with his ambition. The narrative builds to a climactic fight that's as much about personal triumph as it is about the broader racial tensions of the era, delivering a powerful punch about the cost of breaking barriers and the resilience of the human spirit.