Readings/Book Signings

• 215 FESTIVAL Philly's homegrown literary festival features book readings, live music, art shows and a spelling bee. Thu-Sun, Oct. 5-8. Visit www.215festival.com for a complete schedule of events.

• 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, visit www.215festival.com for a complete schedule of events.

• 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.

• BILL NOVELLI The AARP President and Penn alum reads from his new book, "50+: Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America." Thu, Oct. 12, 4pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

• BOB HERSHON AND DONNA BROOK The poets read from their respective collections, Wed, Oct. 11, 6-8pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.

• CARL WEBER AND MARY B. MORRISON The authors read from their new book, "She Ain't the Only One." Sat, Oct. 7, 2pm, FREE, Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400.

• CARLA NEGGERS The New York Times best-selling author signs and reads from her new novel, "The Widow," about a woman's search for her late husband's killer, Fri, Oct. 6, 7pm, FREE, Borders Express, 268 Montgomery Mall, North Wales, 215-362-2772.

• CURTIS SITTENFELD The Philadelphia resident and author presents her new book, "The Man of My Dreams." The event includes lunch, Wed, Oct. 11, noon, $20-$25, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3022.

• DAISY FRIED The poet reads from her collections "My Brother Is Getting Arrested Again" and "She Didn't Mean to Do It." Tue, Oct. 10, 6pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.

• DAPHNE OZ This college student and diet whiz kid signs and discusses her new book, "The Dorm Room Diet." Thu, Oct. 12, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

• DARCY CUMMINGS AND CAROLYNE WRIGHT The poets read from their recent work, Mon, Oct. 9, 5pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

• DAVID SEDARIS The author, satirist and public radio commentator reads from recent and past works. Followed by a Q&A and signing, Sun, Oct. 8, 8pm, $40, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

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

• FOURTH ANNUAL COLLINGSWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL Meet an array of authors including Camille Paglia, Michael Smerconish, Jennifer Rubell, Jordan Sonnenblick, L.A. Banks and Sam Campbell. Browse for books, grab something to eat and drink lots of fresh-squeezed lemonade. Sat, Oct. 7, 10am-4pm, FREE, Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ, www.collingswoodbookfestival.com.

• GAEL GREENE The author discusses and reads from her book, "Insatiable," about both her food and sexual experience. The event includes a champagne reception and a three-course dinner with wine pairings, Mon, Oct. 9, 6pm, $125, The Prime Rib, 1701 Locust St., 215-772-1701.

• JAMES G. SPADY, H. SAMY ALIM, SAMIR MEGHELLI The authors sign their book, "The Global Cipha," along with music artist The Legendary Cornbread and members of the Pure Movement, Sun, Oct. 8, 3-6pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

• JANE CASSADY The touring poet and author reads from her work, Thu, Oct. 12, 7:30pm, $2, Harvest Book Store, 9 E. State St., Media

• JANE GOLDEN In conjunction with Mural Arts Month, the author reads from her new book, "More Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They Tell." Wed, Oct. 11, 5pm, FREE, Paley Library, Temple University, 1220 W. Berks St., www.muralarts.org.

• JANET MASON, MARIA FAMA, JUDITH K. WIGHEROW AND OTHERS This event celebrates a special issue of Sinister Wisdom magazine on death, grief and suffering, Sat, Oct. 7, 5:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.

• JD DRAGAN The photographer joins two models for a signing of their new calendar, "Provocateur." Fri, Oct. 6, 5:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.

• JEN BENKA, C.A. CONRAD, MARK SWARTZ In conjunction with the 215 Festival, these three Soft Skull authors read from their respective works, Sun, Oct. 8, 4pm, FREE, Rosenbach Museum & Library, 2008-2010 Delancey Pl., 215-732-1600.

• JIM WALLIS The author and Christian leader discusses his book, "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." Thu, Oct. 12, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave., Willow Grove, 215-659-1001.

• LADY CATHERINE MANNING The author and wife of the British Ambassador to the U.S., also known as Elizabeth Ironside, signs and reads from her new book, "The Accomplice." Tue, Oct. 10, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

• 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, 215-204-1796.

• MARK MORAN AND MARK SCEURMAN The authors sign and read from their new book, "Weird N.J. Volume 2." Sat, Oct. 7, 3pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1553 Almonesson Rd., Deptford, NJ, 856-232-3123.

• MEG TILLY The author and actress signs and reads from her second novel, "Gemma," which is a twist on the theme of Nabokov's "Lolita." Sat, Oct. 7, 7-9pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

• MYKEL BOARD The music columnist and author reads from his new book, "Even a Daughter Is Better Than Nothing." Wed, Oct. 11, 9pm, FREE, The Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave., 215-624-2969.

• N. FRANK DANIELS The author signs and reads from his new book, "Futureproof." Sat, Oct. 7, 7pm, FREE, Wooden Shoe Books, 508 S. 5th St., 215-419-0999.

• PATRICIA AND BOB GUSSIN Bob reads and signs his new novel, "Trash Talk," while Patricia reads and signs her new crime thriller, "Shadow of Death," about the 1967 Detroit riots, Sun, Oct. 8, 3pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

• RACHAEL SIMON The author reads and signs her new biography, "Riding the Bus With My Sister: A True Life Journey." Fri, Oct. 6, 7:45pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 210 Commerce Rd., Fairless Hills, 215-269-0442.

• RUTH ANDREW ELLENSON The author discusses and reads from her book, "The Modern Jewish Girl's Guide to Guilt," a collection of writings by Jewish women, Wed, Oct. 11, 7pm, FREE, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

• SCHUYLKILL VALLEY JOURNAL READING Poets and writers who contributed to the fall 2006 issue read from their work, Sun, Oct. 8, 3-5pm, $4, Manayunk Art Center, 419 Green Lane, 215-482-3363.

• SHAWN DECKER The author signs and reads from his new book, "My Pet Virus," about living with aids, Thu, Oct. 12, 7:30pm, FREE, Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400.

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

• TONY HOAGLAND The poet reads from his new collection of essays on poetic craft, "Real Sofistikashun." Thu, Oct. 12, 7:30pm, FREE, Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, 610-642-3020.