Readings/Book Signings

• 215 FESTIVAL KICKOFF Amy Sedaris signs and reads from her new book, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence." John Hodgman, host and curator of "The Little Gray Book Lectures," signs and reads from his book, "The Areas of My Expertise." David Rees signs and reads from his political comic, "Get Your War On." And John Coulton, right-hand man to John Hodgman, will probably play funny songs, Thu, Oct. 5, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

• ANNA QUINDLEN The Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author signs and reads from her new novel, "Rise and Shine." Thu, Oct. 5, 12:30pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

• 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.

• CHRISTOPHER BRAM The author of "Exiles in America" and "Gods and Monsters" reads from his work, Sat, Sept. 30, 5:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.

• DANIEL GOTTLIEB The author signs and reads from his new nonfiction book, "Letters to Sam: A Grandfather's Lesson on Love, Loss, and the Gifts of Life." Wed, Oct. 4, 5pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 301 Main St., Exton, 610-524-8806.

• ELLEN BERNSTEIN The author of "The Splendor of Creation" will read from her book about her experiences living in Mt. Airy and the Wissahickon River Valley, Tue, Oct. 3, 7-8:30pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

• FLORES FORBES The author signs and reads from his new book, "Will You Die With Me? My Life and the Black Panther Panty." Thu, Oct. 5, 7pm, FREE, Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400.

• GARTH SUNDEM The self-proclaimed math nerd and author signs and discusses his book, "Geek Logik: 50 Foolproof Equations for Everyday Life." Tue, Oct. 3, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

• IAN S. LUSTICK The author signs and reads from his new book, "Trapped in the War on Terror," about America's obsession with anti-terrorist endeavors, Wed, Oct. 4, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

• J.L. STEWART The author reads from her first book, "The Adventures of Avarom," in which a queen's young bodyguard is haunted by visions and the disappearance of the queen he is supposed to have been guarding, Fri, Sept. 29, 6pm, FREE, Voices & Visions, The Bourse, Lower Level, 4th & Ranstead sts., 215-625-4740.

• JENNIFER BRYANT The author signs and reads from her recent novel, "Pieces of Georgia." Tue, Oct. 3, 7:45pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 210 Commerce Rd., Fairless Hills, 215-269-0442.

• JENNIFER WEINER The author signs and reads from her new short story collection, "The Guy Not Taken." Fri, Sept. 29, 7-9pm, FREE, Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd St., 215-923-9525.

• JONATHAN KNEE The author and professor signs and discusses his book, "The Accidental Investment Banker: Inside the Decade That Transformed Wall Street." Mon, Oct. 2, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

• JOSEPHA SHERMAN The author of novels such as "Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul," "Buffy," "Highlander" and "Xena" reads and discusses her work. Presented by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, Fri, Sept. 29, 9pm, FREE, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.

• LANCE OLSEN AND STEVE TOMASULA Olsen, author of eight novels, four short story collections, essays and poetry, and Tomasula, author of three novels, short fiction and a number of essays, read from their respective works, Thu, Oct. 5, 8pm, FREE, Temple University Center City Campus, 1515 Market St., Room 222

• LYNN SHERR The author signs and reads from her new book, "Outside the Box: A Memoir." Wed, Oct. 4, 7pm, FREE, Borders, 80 E. Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood, 610-642-0362.

• MAUREEN JOHNSON The author signs and reads from her new book, "Devilish." Wed, Oct. 4, 6:30pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

• PAUL LAFARGE The author of "The Facts of Winter," "The Artist of the Missing" and "Haussmann, Or the Distinction" reads and discusses his work, Tue, Oct. 3, 6pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.

• 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 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.

• POETRY INK DuEwa M. Frazier, Pat McLean-RaShine, Debra A. Powell-Wright, Niama Williams and Kimmika L.H. Williams-Witherspoon read poetry from the new collection, "Check the Rhyme: An Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees." Sat, Sept. 30, 6pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

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

• SIMONE ZELITCH The author signs and reads from her new book, "Waveland," about a Freedom Summer volunteer in Mississippi in 1964, Thu, Oct. 5, 7pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

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

• STEVE WOZNIAK The author signs and reads from his new book, "From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It." Sat, Sept. 30, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

• VICTOR HERNANDEZ CRUZ The Nuyorican poet speaks as part of the college's Arts and Lectures Series, Tue, Oct. 3, 7pm, FREE, Ursinus College, Collegeville, 610-409-3000.

• WAVE BOOKS POETRY TOUR BUS Hear readings from more than 10 poets, including Thomas Sayers Ellis, Molly Russakoff and Pargeeta Sharma. Mon, Oct. 2, 6-10pm, $5 suggested donation, FUEL Collection, 249 Arch St., 215-592-8400.

• WAYNE HOFFMAN The author and Philadelphia news reporter signs and reads from his new book, "Hard." Fri, Sept. 29, 5:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.