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

ASHLEY KAHN AND CARL GRUBBS Kahn reads from her new book, "The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records," and musician Grubbs performs, Thu, Sept. 28, 6pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.

BANNED BOOKS In honor of Banned Books Week, listen to local artists, musicians and comedians read from banned books. Readers include Tiffany Bacon, Diane McKinney-Whetstone and CP founder Bruce Schimmel, Mon, Sept. 25, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-686-5322.

BEN MARCUS The author reads from his work, which includes a short-story collection, "The Age of Wire and String," and a novel, "Notable American Women." Marcus is the chair of the Graduate Writing Program at Columbia University in New York, Wed, Sept. 27, 8pm, FREE, Temple University Center City, 1515 Market St.

BRAD MELTZER The author signs his new political thriller, "The Book of Fate," in which he jumps on the "DaVinci Code" bandwagon by chronicling the activities of the Freemasonry in America, Thu, Sept. 21, 7pm, FREE, Chester County Book Co., 975 Paoli Pk., West Chester, 610-696-1661.

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BRENDA JACKSON The author signs and reads from her newest book, "Ian's Ultimate Gamble." Sat, Sept. 23, 1pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

CHAPTER & VERSE Open reading with special guests. Every last Sat, 8pm, FREE, Chapterhouse Cafe & Gallery, 620 S. 9th St., 215-238-2626.

CINDY SHEEHAN The author signs and reads from her book, "Peace Mom," about her son's death in Iraq in 2004, Tue, Sept. 26, noon, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

COLIN CHANNER Jamaica's best-selling author reads theatrically from the new collection, "Iron Balloons: Hit Fiction from Jamaica's Calabash Writer's Workshop." Channer is co-founder of The Calabash International Literary Festival and editor of "Iron Balloons." Writers featured in the book include Marlon James, Kwame Dawes, Elizabeth Nunuz and Channer himself, Fri, Sept. 22, 6pm, FREE, Reef Caribbean Lounge, 605 S. 3rd St., 2nd floor, 215-477-6724.

DANIELLE ACKLEY-MCPHAIL The author signs and reads from her new novel, "Yesterday's Dream," an urban fantasy based on Celtic mythology, Sun, Sept. 24, 1-5pm, FREE, Voices & Visions, The Bourse, Lower Level, 4th & Ranstead sts., 215-625-4740.

DANIELLE ACKLEY-MCPHAIL Danielle Ackley-McPhail reads and signs her award-nominated fantasy novel, "Yesterday's Dream." The book illustrator and artist will also exhibit works, Sun, Sept. 24, 1-5pm, FREE, Voices and Visions, 111 S. Independence Mall East, 215-625-4740.

DISH: FOOD WRITERS READ Join local foodies Jason Fagone, Rick Nichols and CP spectaculars Carolyn Wyman and Elisa Ludwig for a night of words about food, Mon, Sept. 25, 7pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.

DJUNA WOJTON The author signs her new book, "Karmic Healing: Clearing Past Life Blocks to Present Day Love, Health, and Happiness," and offers free karmic readings to anyone who purchases a copy, Sun, Sept. 24, 3-5pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

G. EMIL REUTTER The poet reads from his latest collection, "Asphalt Road," at the Poets and Prophets reading series. Donation requested, Thu, Sept. 21, 7pm, Voices and Visions, 111 S. Independence Mall East, 215-625-4740.

GARY W. MOORE The author discusses and signs his new book, "Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, a World at War, and a Field of Broken Dreams," about his father's baseball career during WWII. He'll give out baseball cards to those dressed in baseball uniforms, Thu, Sept. 21, 7-9pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

IAN LUSTICK The author and professor reads and discusses his new book, "Trapped in the War on Terror." Thu, Sept. 21, 5:30pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

JAMES MCGREEVEY The former New Jersey governor signs and discusses his new book, "The Confession," his coming-out memoir. Mon, Sept. 25, 2pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 36th & Walnut sts.; Mon, Sept. 25, 7:30pm, FREE, Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400.

JAMES ROSIN The author signs and reads from his new book, "Philadelphia: City of Music," about Philly's musicians, Mon, Sept. 25, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

JAVAD MOHSENIAN AND MOLLY RUSSAKOFF The poets read from their respective works at the Moonstone Poetry Series, Tue, Sept. 26, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

JHUMPA LAHIRI The author discusses her latest book, "Namesake." Wed, Sept. 27, 7pm, FREE, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, 680 Radcliffe St., 215-788-7891.

JOE MACK The author reads and signs his new memoir, "1968 and I'm Hitchhiking Through Europe." Wed, Sept. 27, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

JOY NASH The author signs and reads from her new romance novel, "The Grail King." Mon, Sept. 25, 6:30pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 4801 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE, 302-478-9677.

JUDY STONE The author signs and reads from her book, "Not Quite a Memoir: Of Films, Books, the World." Wed, Sept. 27, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

KATIE PETERSON The author reads from her new book, "This One Tree." Wed, Sept. 27, 7pm, FREE, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 215-545-4302.

KEVIN JENNINGS The author reads from his memoir, "Mama's Boy, Preacher's Son," his story of growing up a homosexual in the South, Wed, Sept. 27, 5:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.

LORD WHIMSY Hark! The author signs and reads from his new book, "The Affected Provincial's Companion Vol. 1." Cabaret performer Jeffrey Marsh will sing and play ukulele. Wine will be served, Sun, Sept. 24, 8pm, FREE, Molly's Bookstore, 1010 S. 9th St., 215-923-3367.

MICHAEL DIAMONDSTEIN The local attorney and author discusses his mystery novel, "Cloaked in Doubt," about Philadelphia's beloved mayor being charged with murder. Wed, Sept. 27, 7:30pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0355.

NORA EPHRON The acclaimed essayist and author reads from her new book, "I Feel Bad About My Neck," a comic look at the experiences of aging women, Thu, Sept. 21, 8pm, $6-$12, Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-686-5322.

PATRICIA BRADLEY Temple professor and author signs and discusses her new book, "Women and the Press: The Struggle for Equality." Tue, Sept. 26, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

PEG GEORGE The author reads from her book, "We Knew We Were at War: Women Remember World War II," and discusses how public involvement in WWII compares to that in today's war, Thu, Sept. 28, 7-9pm, FREE, The Writer's Corner, Oakland & Main sts., 215-230-1070.

POETRY ALOUD AND ALIVE Michael Cohen hosts an open reading, Fri, Sept. 22, 7:30pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

POETRY CIRCLE The circle includes poetry and scribed sessions with local writers. Every last Thu, 7-9pm, FREE, Voices & Visions, The Bourse, Lower Level, 4th & Ranstead sts., 215-625-4740.

ROBERT KLEIN This comedian and author signs and reads from his new book, "The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue." Thu, Sept. 28, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

ROBIN HATHAWAY The author signs and reads from her new book, "The Doctor Rocks the Boat," which is set on Boathouse Row, Wed, Sept. 27, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

ROBIN'S BOOK STORE 70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Hey, it's also Banned Books Week and the 50th anniversary of the publication of Allen Ginsburg's "Howl." Celebrate with Daniel Moore, Molly Russakoff and Lamont Steptoe as they read this very long poem, followed by lots of reminiscing and an open reading of your favorite "Beat" poetry, Sun, Sept. 24, 2pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

STEVE STERN The author signs and discusses his book, "Battling for Hearts and Minds: Memory Struggles in Pinochet's Chile, 1973-1988," a book on the former Chilean dictator, Thu, Sept. 28, 3:30pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

YVONNE STEPHENS The author signs her new cookbook, "Amazing 7-Minute Meals." Fri, Sept. 22, 6pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 4801 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE, 302-478-9677.

ZELDA AND SCOTT: BOATS AGAINST HE TIDE Celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald's 110th birthday and hear a reading of Armen Pandola's play about the 20th century's most exciting literary couple, Sun, Sept. 24, 5pm, FREE, Voices and Visions, 111 S. Independence Mall East, 215-625-4740.