Readings/Book Signings

• ALEXIS ZIEGLER The author discusses her book, "Culture Change: Civil Liberty, Peak Oil, and the End of Empire," which hypothesizes that political movements in the 20th century have been adapted to the conditions of economic growth and proposes directions for civic engagement beyond the scope of personal consumption habits, Thu, March 22, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• ANDREA KANE The New York Times best-selling suspense author signs and talks about her new book, "Dark Room," about a woman who hires a former NYPD detective to investigate the brutal deaths of her parents, Wed, March 28, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-1788.
• BHANU KAPIL The Indian English writer presents her latest work, "Humanimal," a creative nonfiction account of the wolfgirls of Midnapure (two children founding living with wolves in 1920s Bengal), Thu, March 22, 8pm, FREE , Temple University Center City, 1515 Market St., 215-204-1796.
• CHAPTER & VERSE Open reading with special guests. Every last Sat, 8pm, FREE , Chapterhouse Cafe & Gallery, 620 S. 9th St., 215-238-2626.
• CRAIG EISENDRATH The former Harvard dean/co-author presents his book, "War in Heaven: Stopping the Arms Race in Outer Space Before It's Too Late," a look at the U.S. government's plan to put weapons in outer space, Tue, March 27, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• DANA GIOLA The award-winning poet, critic and chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities reads his poem as part of the dedication celebration for the poetry house. School of Music faculty will premiere art songs inspired by his poetry as well, Thu, March 29, 7pm, FREE , Philips Autograph Library, West Chester University, West Chester, 610-738-0325.
• DAVID LANGSTON SMYRL Poet/actor/entertainer and staff writer for "The Cosby Show" presents a new collection of poems, "Leaning to the Left," Sun, March 25, 3-5pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.
• DODIE BELLAMY & JULIA BLOCH The writer of "Pink Steam" (a collection of intimate poetry about the poet's life) and the Australia-born poet read and discuss their work, Thu, March 22, 5pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• EOAGH, A JOURNAL OF THE ARTS READING A reading by the contributors (such as Dodie Bellamy, Kyle Conner, CAConrad, Jim Cory, Sarah Dowling, Maria Fama, and others) to launch the third issue, "Queering Language," of this online magazine. Hosted by Tim Peterson & CAConrad, Sat, March 24, 8pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• AN EXPERIMENTAL FICTION CELEBRATION This event feaures readings by Nicholas Montemarano, the author of the short-story collection "If the Sky Falls"; Doug Nufer, a fiction writer, poet, and performance writer; and Ben Marcus, the author of "Notable American Women," The Father Costume" and "The Age of Wire and String." Wed, March 28, 5pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• FESTIVAL LATINO POETRY NIGHT This event celebrates Latino culture and literary achievements, featuring spoken-word performances by lecturer, storyteller and poet Bobby Gonzelez and members of the Excelano Project, Penn's student spoken-word group, Tue, March 27, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• JANE GOLDEN The Mural Arts Program director reads and signs her book, "More Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They Tell," the follow-up and companion volume to "Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They Tell." Thu, March 29, 6-8pm, FREE , Mugshots Coffeehouse, 21st & Fairmount Ave., 215-685-0750.
• JEAN SASSON The best-selling author discusses her new book, "Love in a Torn Land: Joanna of Kurdistan: The True Story of a Freedom Fighter's Flight from Iraqi Vengeance." Sat, March 24, 2pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-1788.
• JOE BOYD Having roadied for Dylan, managed Muddy Waters' London tour, and produced Pink Floyd's first single, the music scenemaker presents his memoir, "White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s." Thu, March 29, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• JOHN BULL & PIETER PRALL The co-author and prize-winning N.J. nature artist present "The Easy Bird Guide: Eastern Region," an identification guide to the most common birds seen in backyards, in the woods, and near water in Northeast America for beginner and casual birdwatchers, Sat, March 24, 1-4pm, FREE , Borders Book Shop, 515 Rt. 73 South, Marlton, NJ, 856-985-5080.
• JOHN KRETSCHMER The professional sailor and contributing editor to Sailing Magazine presents "At the Mercy of the Sea: The True Story of Three Sailors in a Carribean Hurricane," telling the story of three sailors who were swept up in the open ocean by a monster hurricane, Sat, March 24, 2pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• JUDY BACHRACH The contributing editor of Vanity Fair and regular contributor to Allure is interviewed by host Dick Polman over a lunch program. Mon, March 26, noon, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• KALI N. GROSS The author discusses her book, "Colored Amazons," a historical analysis of the crimes committed by and the prosecution and incarceration of black women in Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century, Thu, March 29, 7pm, FREE , International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-895-6537.
• LIVE AT THE WRITERS HOUSE A collaboration between the Kelly Writers House and WXPN, Michaela Majoun hosts a one-hour broadcast of poetry, music and other spoken-word art, along with one musical guest. Mon, March 26, 7pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• MARC MICOZZI The physician-anthropologist presents "Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care and Prevention" and "The Practice of Integrative Medicine," two books about the new fields of complementary and alternative and integrative medicine, Fri, March 23, 5pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• MATTHEW SHARPE The author presents his new novel, "Jamestown," a deadpan treatment of the Jamestown settlement — no, not the one from 1607, the post-apocalyptic one where the settlers arriving at the Virginian swamp in a bus from Manhattan, Wed, March 28, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• MICHAEL DIAMONDSTEIN The lawyer/author reads and signs his new book, "Cloaked in Doubt," about a prosecutor and the head of the homicide unit in the Philadephia DA's office who is charged with trying the mayor of Philadelphia for a brutal murder, Wed, March 28, 7pm, FREE , Borders Bookstore, 4020 Dearborn Circle, Mt. Laurel, NJ, 856-866-9090.
• MOONSTONE POETRY SERIES: MARION COHEN & ELLIOTT LEVIN Mathematician and part-time professor at USP and Penn presents her new collection of poetry, "Crossing the Equal Sign," while Philly musician/poet reads selections from his work, "does it swing...?" Moderated by Justin Vitiello; open reading to follow, Tue, March 27, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• POETS & PROPHETS: LYNN BLUE The poet and playwright reads from her works; open reading to follow, Tue, March 27, 7pm, $2, Harvest Books, 9 E. State St., Media, 610-566-3191.
• REBECCA WALKER The journalist, social activist and daughter of writer Alice Walker presents her new book, "Baby Love," a discussion on the difficult choice between having and not having a child for today's young woman, Tue, March 27, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.
• RANDAL PINKETT The winner of "The Apprentice" (season four) presents "Campus CEO: The Student Entrepreneur's Guide to Launching a Multi-Million Dollar Business," sharing his story of success and showing how students don't have to wait until after graduation to find a career and still excel in the classroom, Mon, March 26, 4pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• STEVEN STERN The historian and University of Wisconsin professor presents his new book, "Battling for Hearts and Minds: Memory Struggles in Pinchoet's Chile, 1973-1988," a narration of the struggle to define collective memory in Chile during Pinochet's dictatorship and an analysis of Chileans' conflicting interpretations of political events as they happened, Thu, March 22, 3:30pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• TOMMIE SMITH The Olympic champion and human rights activist presents his book, "Silent Gesture: The Autobiography of Tommie Smith," which describes his life-long commitment to athletics, education and human rights, Thu, March 22, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• WENDY LEIGH The author discusses the seemingly glamorous but lonely and unhappy life of Grace Kelly in her book, "True Grace: The Life and Death of an American Princess," Thu, March 29, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-1788.