Readings/Book Signings

• ANA-MAURINE LARA The author signs and reads from her debut novel, "Erzulie's Skirt," which is about two women who secure their African birthright as healers and spiritual guides for the next generation, Tue, Feb. 13, 7-9pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.
• BARBARA DELINSKY The author signs and discusses her new novel, "Family Tree," in which a white couple has an unmistakably black baby, causing great confusion and spurring them to investigate their genetic past, Thu, Feb. 8, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0355.
• BLACK INK: CELEBRATING WRITERS OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA This group event features the presentation of L.A. Banks' eighth Vampire Huntress Legend book and co-author Sheree Brown-Johnson's "Zhakanaka, The Word" (a heartwarming story about a little girl who is bullied at school), plus additional authors in an open reading moderated by Maurice Henderson, Sun, Feb. 11, 2pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• CHRISTOPHER DAVIS The author/hat designer (who has designed more than 300 different church hats for his clientele and believes a lady is not properly dressed for church without a hat) discusses his book, "We Too Shall Wear a Crown: Honoring & Celebrating the Legacy of African American Women Who Wear Hats to Church." Mon, Feb. 12, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5415.
• CORDELIA BIDDLE The author signs and gives a talk about her new book, "Conjurer," about a serial killer who stalks child prostitutes and a wealthy financier's disappearance in 1842 Philadelphia, Tue, Feb. 13, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0355.
• DANIEL HOWE The digital media artist reads from his recent poetry as part of the "Poetry Complex: Cross-Genre Writing" series. Co-sponsored by Temple-Penn Poetics and the department of film and media arts. Located in the Weigley Room on the ninth floor, Thu, Feb. 8, 2-4pm, FREE , Temple University, Gladfelter Hall, 12th & Berks sts., 215-204-1796.
• EDWARD HUMES The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist talks about his book "Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle for America's Soul," which tackles the controversy over the Dover, Pa. school board's decision to mandate the teaching of intelligent design, and the epic court case it spawned, Mon, Feb. 12, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-5965.
• DJUNA WOJTON The author discusses her recent book, "Karmic Healing: Clearing Past Life Blocks to Present Day Health, Success and Happiness." Thu, Feb. 8, 7pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 301 Main St., Exton, 610-524-8806.
• ED BROOKE The first African-American popularly elected to the Senate presents his new book, "Bridging the Divide." Mon, Feb. 12, 7pm, FREE , Friends Select School, 17th St. and the Parkway, 215-563-4184.
• ERIC KLINENBERG Eric Klinenberg reads from his new book 'Fighting For Air: The Battle to Control America's Media', about corporate consolidation of media and what activists are doing to fight back, Tue, Feb. 13, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• FLARF POETRY FESTIVAL For the uninitiated: Flarf is an avant-garde poetry movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries that incorporates odd search terms from the Internet and is often inappropriate, odd, disturbing and/or hilarious. Prominent Flarf practitioners Nada Gordon, Mike Magee, Mel Nichols, Rod Smith, Sharon Mesmer, Gary Sullivan and Nada Gordon read from their work; Brandon Downing screens his Flarf-esque film, Thu, Feb. 8, 6pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• GROWING UP GIRL Editor Michelle Sewell and local contributors present an eclectic collection of essays, short stories and poems documenting the transition from being a girl to being a woman, Sat, Feb. 10, 3-5pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.
• JAN CRAWFORD GREENBURG AND JEFF ROSEN The two Supreme Court experts present a Citizens' Constitutional Conversation about the nation's highest court, drawing examples from their respective books, "Supreme Conflict" and "The Supreme Court: The Personalities and Rivalries that Defined America." Reservations required, Tue, Feb. 13, 6:30pm, $6-$15, National Constitution Center, Independence Mall, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6700.
• JOHN MCPHEE The nonfiction author reads from his books "Uncommon Carriers" and the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Annals of the Former World," a narrative geological history of North America. Registration required. Mon., Feb. 12, 6:30pm (reading); Tue., Feb. 13, 10am (interview and conversation), FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• JONATHAN ZIMMERMAN The author and former teacher with the Peace Corps signs and reads from his recent book, "Innocents Abroad: American Teachers in the American Century," a collection of anecdotes and dilemmas faced by mostly young, white, middle-class, inexperienced American teachers in all parts of the world, Thu, Feb. 8, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• LINDA BIERDS Bryn Mawr's Visiting Writers Series begins the spring semester with this poet, a former MacArthur fellowship recipient and author of "Flights of the Harvest Mare" and "Heart and Perimeter." Thu, Feb. 15, 7:30pm, FREE , Bryn Mawr College, Ely Room at the Wyndham Alumnae House, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-5210.
• MARK ALAN HEWITT The author lectures and signs his new book, "Carer & Hastings, Architects," about the famed design firm responsible for the New York Public Library and the Cairnwood mansion, Sun, Feb. 11, 4pm, FREE , Cairnwood, 1005 Cathedral Rd., 267-502-2997.
• MARK KRIEGEL The veteran sportswriter talks about his latest biography, "Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich," on the iconic basketball player, Thu, Feb. 8, 6pm, FREE , Adidas Store, 436 South St., 215-698-7426.
• MICHAEL ERIC DYSON The "hip-hop intellectual" discusses his latest book, "Debating Race," a record of major race-related moments in the last decade and a half through dialogue with some of the most visible figures working in politics and the media today, Tue, Feb. 13, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.
• NIAMA WILLIAMS & DAN MCGUIRE The evening of poetry features readings from Williams' latest work, "Steven, A Collection of Poems" and Maguire's works. Followed by an open reading, Tue, Feb. 13, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• NURUDDIN FARAH The author gives a lecture on his new novel, "Knots." A Somali exile, he is best known for novels that champion the oppressed (particularly women), Thu, Feb. 15, 8pm, $6-$12, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.
• PENIEL E. JOSEPH The Africana studies professor and author signs and reads from his recent book, "Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America." Thu, Feb. 8, 4:30pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• THE POETRY OF HEALING Noted physician and award-winning poet Rafael Campo explores the world that has shaped him as a physician and a Cuban-American gay man. Dr. Campo's practice serves mostly the Latino, LGBT and HIV communities. His poems address questions of identity and uniqueness, Thu, Feb. 15, 6:15-8pm, FREE , Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-563-3737.
• POETS AND PROPHETS Top area poets read their work, followed by an open reading. Every third Thu, 7-9pm, $2, Voices & Visions, The Bourse, Lower Level, 4th & Ranstead sts., 215-625-4740.
• RUTH LAKER The author signs and reads from her new book, "How to Choose a Church or Synagogue," her hilarious memoir about a soul-searching, 21-pew adventure through various churches and synagogues, Fri, Feb. 9, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.
• SANDRA NEWMAN The current writer-in-residence at Temple and author of "The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done" reads from her works, Thu, Feb. 15, 3:30-4:30pm, FREE , Temple University, Anderson Hall, 1114 W. Berks St., 215-204-1796.
• SUSAN HOWE The author and poet reads and discusses her work, Wed, Feb. 14, 6:30pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• THEODORE A. HARRIS The collagist/poet is the author of "Boundary 2, Hunted Everywhere: Collaging the Capitol, a Manifesto and 1913 Journal" and reads from his new book, "Our Flesh of Flames." A open reading to follow; donations are requested, Thu, Feb. 15, 7pm, Voices and Visions, 111 S. Independence Mall East, 215-625-4740.