Readings/Book Signings

• A.J. LANGGUTH The author signs and discusses his recent book, "Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence," about the war of 1812 and the parallels between then and now. Reservations required, Sat, Nov. 4, 6:30-8pm, FREE, National Constitution Center, Independence Mall, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6600.
• ALICE MCDERMOTT The author discusses her new novel, "After This," about the effects of social, political and spiritual upheaval in the late 20th century on a middle-class family, Thu, Nov. 9, 8pm, $6-$12, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• ALICE NOTLEY The poet reads from her new poetry collections, "Light: Selected Poems 1970-2005" and "Alma, or the Dead Woman." Mon, Nov. 6, 6pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• AMIR GUTFREUND The author signs and discusses his new book, "Our Holocaust: Writing With Humor About the Holocaust." Mon, Nov. 6, 7:30-9pm, FREE, Hagerty Library, Drexel University, 33rd & Market sts., www.drexel.edu/judaicstudies.
• BARRETT WATTEN The poet and poetry critic speaks on his work, which includes "Progress/Under Erasure," "Bad History" and "Frame: 1971-1990." Thu, Nov. 9, 8pm, FREE, Temple University Center City Campus, 1515 Market St., room 222, 215-204-1796.
• CAROLYN TURGEON The author reads and signs her book, "Rain Village," about a girl living in a Kansas farming community in the early 20th century, Sat, Nov. 4, 6pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• CHARLES BERNSTEIN The University of Pennsylvania poetry professor and poet discusses and reads from his new collection, "Girly Man." Wed, Nov. 8, 8pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• CONSTANCE QUARTERMAN BRIDGES The poet and author signs and reads from her new book, "Lions Don't Eat Us," a collection of stories about her ancestry, Sun, Nov. 5, 4pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• DANIEL HOFFMAN AND DARCY CUMMINGS The poets read from their respective works as part of the Moonstone Poetry Series, Thu, Nov. 9, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• DEBORAH KOGAN RAY The author reads from her new book, "To Go Singing Through the World: The Childhood of Pablo Neruda," which contains prose and poetry about the famous poet, Wed, Nov. 8, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• DELILAH WINDER The author and restaurateur signs her new cookbook, "Delilah's Everyday Soul: Southern Cooking with Style." Thu, Nov. 2, 5-7pm, FREE, ShopRite, 2385 Cheltenham Ave., 215-887-7300.
• EMMA MELLON The author signs and discusses her new book, "Waking Your Dreams: Unlock the Wisdom of Your Unconscious," which assesses dreams and nightmares, Wed, Nov. 8, 7:30pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0355.
• EVE ENSLER The author reads from her latest book, "Insecure at Last: Losing It in Our Security-Obsessed World," about letting go, Sat, Nov. 4, 4:30pm, FREE, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.
• GENE BARRETTA The illustrator of "Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog," by Joy Behar (of "The View" fame), and author of "Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin," discusses and signs his work, Fri, Nov. 3, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0355.
• GEORGE ANASTASIA The veteran reporter and author signs and reads from his new book, "Mobfather: The Story of a Wife and a Son Caught in the Web of the Mafia," in which he exposes what it's like to be married to the mob, Thu, Nov. 9, 7pm, FREE, Borders Bookstore, 4020 Dearborn Circle, Mt. Laurel, NJ, 856-866-9090.
• GWENY LOVE The professional performance poet reads from her work, Sun, Nov. 5, 3pm, FREE, AIRSPACE, 4013 Chestnut St., 215-694-8719.
• IVA CIPURI The author presents her new book, "Transform," a story based on an Albanian folktale, Tue, Nov. 7, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• JAMES ROSIN The author signs and reads from his new book, "Philadelphia: City of Music," in which he looks back at the local pop, rock and R&B music scenes of the '60s and '70s, Sat, Nov. 4, 2pm, FREE, Borders, 1256 Plymouth Meeting Mall, Plymouth Meeting, 610-828-2678.
• JENNIFER WEINER The novelist behind "In Her Shoes" discusses her work, specifically her latest book, "The Guy Not Taken," over lunch, Mon, Nov. 6, noon, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• JOANN SFAR The French Jewish author presents his graphic novel, "Klezmer: Tales of the Wild East," accompanied by performances from Philadelphia musicians Rachael Lemisch, Jason Rosenblat and Ilana Sherer, Thu, Nov. 9, 7-9pm, FREE, Penn Hillel, Locust Walk and 39th St., 215-898-7391.
• JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER The author signs and reads from his new book, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." Thu, Nov. 9, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• KERMIT ROOSEVELT The author and law professor signs and discusses his new book, "The Myth of Judicial Activism: Making Sense of Supreme Court Decisions." Mon, Nov. 6, 7pm, FREE, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• KEVIN MOFFETT The author reads and signs his new collection of short stories, "Permanent Vistors." Thu, Nov. 2, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• LORD WHIMSY The author discusses topics relating to his new book, "The Affected Provincial's Companion," over lunch. Registration requested, Thu, Nov. 2, 1pm, FREE, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• MAD POETS OPEN MIC Poets Bob Jamison and Doug Arnold read from their work, followed by an open mic session hosted by Autumn Konopka, Thu, Nov. 2, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0355.
• MICHAEL DIAMONDSTIEN The local attorney and author signs and reads from his debut novel, "Cloaked in Doubt." Mon, Nov. 6, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-686-1776.
• MICHELE BELLUOMINI AND PHYLLIS STOWELL The poets read from their respective works as part of the Moonstone Poetry Series, Tue, Nov. 7, 7pm, FREE, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• PETER JOSYPH The photographer behind "Liberty Street: Encounters at Ground Zero" discusses his experience documenting the neighborhoods surrounding Ground Zero, Thu, Nov. 2, 7:30pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-686-1776.
• PETER STONE The author signs and reads from his new book, "Heist: Superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, His Republican Allies and the Buying of Washington," about Abramoff's corrupt activities, Tue, Nov. 7, noon, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• POETRY AND HEALING: THE ARC OF GRIEF Phyllis Stowell reads and signs her new book, "The Art of Grief," and Kelley White, a local poet and physician, reads from her poetry on healing, Sun, Nov. 5, 3-5pm, $4, Manayunk Art Center, 419 Green Lane, Manayunk, 215-482-3363.
• RICHARD FORD The author signs and reads from his new book, "The Lay of the Land." Fri, Nov. 3, 7:30pm, FREE, Thomas Great Hall, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-5210.
• STEVEN CONN The 19th- and 20th-century cultural history specialist and author reads from and signs his new book, "Metropolitan Philadelphia," about the future of our city, Wed, Nov. 8, 7pm, FREE, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• STEVEN LEVY The author signs and reads from his book, "The Perfect Thing: How the iPod Shuffles Commerce, Culture, and Coolness," about that little flat box we're all obsessed with, Thu, Nov. 2, 7pm, FREE, Borders, 80 E. Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood, 610-642-0362.
• SUSAN PAIGE The local author signs and reads from her new book, "Don't You Need Some Rest?" which tells readers to take some time to take a load off, Wed, Nov. 8, 7pm, FREE, Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-686-1776.