It seems only appropriate that The Monocle, the long-standing Senate-side restaurant and tavern, would host a book party Wednesday night for “The Essential Paul Simon: Timeless Lessons for Today’s Politics.”

The book, a compilation of the late Illinois Democratic senator’s writings that has been edited by John S. Jackson, was published in September by Southern Illinois University Press. Simon’s son Martin and his brother Art will be on hand for the event, which is hosted by The Monocle and Politics and Prose bookstore.

Right after retiring from the Senate in 1997, Simon began teaching at SIU, where he founded the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU’s Carbondale campus.

Jackson had a lot to choose from, as the late senator was a storied man of letters throughout his career.

His newspaper background — he owned a chain of weekly newspapers and was the editor-publisher of the Troy Tribune before turning toward public office — provided a pretty extensive publishing record from the 1940s on.

Simon also provided a young law school graduate a start in public service — current Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin.

The event, which starts at The Monocle at 107 D St. NE at 6 p.m., is open to the public, but planners would love RSVPs if you’re planning to attend. To do so, contact Matt Baughman at 618-453-4001 or baughman@siu.edu.