Readings/Book Signings :: Philadelphia City Paper. 25 Years of Independent Journalism.

ALISON BECHDEL A cult favorite in the comics world, Alison Bechdel has chronicled the lives of fictionalized characters in her "Dykes to Watch Out For" comic strip since 1993. Called "one of the preeminent oeuvres of the comics genre, period" by Ms Magazine, "Dykes" is syndicated in 50 alternative newspapers and is collected into a book with a quarter million copies in print. "Fun Home" is her memoir, in graphic novel form, of life, marked by gothic twists and sexual angst, in the family-owned funeral home. The lesbian cartoonist signs and discusses her new memoir, Thu, June 22, 3pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870; Thu, June 22, 5-7pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960; Thu, June 22, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-686-5322.

BILL KENT Ex-journalist Kent is a man obsessed with the streets of Philadelphia, and attracted to the mystery and romance lurking behind the city's facade. He spent 25 years as a reporter and freelance writer for such publications as the New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Washington Post. Lawyer misdeeds are the focus of "Street Legal," the fourth novel in his ongoing mystery series that began with "Street Money," Wed, June 21, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-686-5322.

BUBBLE HOUSE POETRY SERIES A new spin on poetry reading. Join local Philly poet Leonard Gontarek, up-and-coming New Yorker Mark Lamoureux, Julia Bloch and special musical guest David Cope for the launch of this new night. Every third Tue, 7:30pm, $7, Bubble House, 3404 Sansom St., 215-243-0804.

C.A. CONRAD & R.W. DENNEN The poets read as part of the Third Thursday Night Series for Philadelphia Pride. Donations appreciated, Thu, June 15, 7pm, Voices & Visions, The Bourse, Lower Level, 4th & Ranstead sts., 610-328-POET.

CLAYTON DUVALL The sports writer signs and discusses his new book, "Grandstand Baseball Puzzles." Attendees may also compete in sports trivia for a chance to win Camden River Sharks tickets, Tue, June 20, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-9958.

DANIEL HELMINIAK The author signs and discusses his new book, "Sex and the Sacred: Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth," Thu, June 15, 5:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.

DJUNA WOJTON The certified hynotherapist, yoga teacher and reiki master signs and discusses her new book, "Karmic Healing," Wed, June 21, 7pm, FREE, Eye's Gallery, 402 South St., 215-925-0193.

ELIZABETH GILBERT Support the PEN/Hemingway finalist at the reading and signing of her latest book, "Eat, Pray, Love," Tue, June 20, 6:30-8pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

ELLEN URBANI HITEBRAND The author signs and discusses her new memoir, "When I Was Elena," about her two-year Peace Corps trip to Guatemala, Sun, June 18, 1pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

JEFFREY LAMONICA The history professor and LaSalle alum signs his new book, "LaSalle University," Thu, June 15, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-686-1776.

KELLYE DAVIS Job driving you crazy? Gray hairs peeking through? Join Davis for a reading and book signing of "The Bliss Principle," which outlines the cure for destressing once and for all, Mon, June 19, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-9958.

KEVIN WAYNE JOHNSON The author signs and discusses Books #1-5 in the "Give God the Glory!" series of devotionals. Sat & Sun, June 17-18, 11am-2pm, FREE, Germantown Community Presbyterian Church, 6141 Greene St.

LAUREL SNYDER The author signs and discusses her new anthology, "Half/Life: Jew-Ish Tales from Interfaith Homes," Wed, June 21, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

LORENE CARY Why should Black History be only one month a year? Join Lorene Cary as she reads from her latest book "FREE! Great Escapes from Slavery on the Underground Railroad," a young adult book based on actual slave narratives, Sat, June 17, 1pm, FREE, Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Avenue, 215-204-7347.

MARTHA COLLINS The author signs and discusses "Blue Front," a collection of poetry sketches of past articles, census data, legal history, postcards and even her father's experience of witnessing a lynching, Thu, June 15, 7pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870; Thu, June 22, 2pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

OPEN READING SERIES Want to share your precious metaphors with the world? Release you inner inklings at Poet and Prophets monthly open readings. Don't leave your journal and pen behind, Wed, June 21, 7pm, FREE, DaVinci's Cheese Court, 1 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, 610-328-POET.

PENGUIN CLASSICS DELUXE EDITIONS ILLUSTRATORS ROZ CHAST, SETH ANDERS NILSEN & PAUL BUCKLEY Under the art direction of Paul Buckley, renowned graphic artists Roz Chast, Anders Nilsen and Seth have designed new covers for Stella Gibbons' "Cold Comfort Farm," Hans Christian Anderson's "Fairy Tales" and "The Portable Dororthy Parker," respectively, as part of the new Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions. Inspired by contemporary graphic novels and comic books, the covers are by turns witty, provocative, chilling, and hilarious. Roz Chast is a regular cartoonist for the New Yorker. Best-known for "Dogs and Water" and the "Big Questions" series, Anders Nilsen is a member of the Chicago-based art collective The Holy Consumption. Seth is an illustrator whose work has been featured in Details, Spin and the New York Times; He is best-known for his comic book series "Palooka-Ville." Paul Buckley is the Art Director for Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions, Tue, June 20, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-686-5322.

SARAH STROHMEYER The author of the Bubbles series signs and discusses her latest installment, "The Cinderella Pact," which follows three women on a journey to lose weight, Wed, June 21, 7:30pm, FREE, Chester County Book Co., 975 Paoli Pk., West Chester, 610-696-1661.

SOLOMON JONES The Essence best-selling author and award-winning Philadelphia Weekly columnist signs and discusses his new book, "C.R.E.A.M.," a political crime drama about Karima Thomas, a member of one of Philadelphia's most influential families, whose involvement with the criminal underworld has long since divorced her from her once bright future, Thu, June 15, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-686-5322.

THOM NICKELS The author signs and discusses his new book, "Out In History," which chronicles historical figures and gay life in modern society, Wed, June 21, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-9958.

VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY The author signs and discusses her new book, "A Sin and a Shame," Thu, June 15, 12:30pm, FREE, Borders Express, 9th & Market sts., 215-922-3647.

WENDY WILLIAMS The authors signs and discusses her new book, "Drama Is Her Middle Name," Thu, June 22, 12:30pm, FREE, Borders Express, Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St., 215-557-8443.