Readings/Book Signings

• BILL WUNDER The 2004 Poet Laureate of Bucks County gives a reading of his works; followed by readings of original poetry by local poets and an open mic session, Wed, April 11, 7-8:45pm, FREE , Elkins Park Free Library, 563 E. Church Rd., Elkins Park, 215-635-5000.
• BRAULIO MUñOZ The Eugene M. Lang Professor of Sociology at Swarthmore College reads from his most recent novel, "The Peruvian Notebooks," at the Scheuer Room in Kohlberg Hall, Mon, April 9, 4:15pm, FREE , Swarthmore College, Rt. 320, Swarthmore, 610-328-8535.
• CHARLES RANGEL The New York Congressman and current chair of Ways and Means presents his memoir, "And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since," about the author's journey to Congress, Thu, April 5, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-567-4341.
• 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, Thu, April 5, 7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• D.L. WILSON The local author reads and signs his most recent novel, "Unholy Grail," a religious thriller about a man on a quest to prtoect the secrets of Christianity, Wed, April 11, 7pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-9958.
• FRANK WARREN The man behind the "PostSecret Project" (a call for secrets on postcards mailed anonymously to Warren's home in maryland) discusses its remarkable international success, Thu, April 12, 8pm, FREE , Rutgers University, Campus Center, 3rd St. between Cooper St. & Franklin Bridge, 856-225-6161.
• JOHANNA DRUCKER The professor of media studies and English at the University of Virginia gives "visual readings" of her works, Thu, April 5, 8pm, FREE , Temple Center City, 1515 Market Street, 215-204-1796.
• KEN CAMPBELL The University of Delaware professor reads and signs his book, "A Tale of Two Quagmires," about the similarities between the Viet Nam and Iraq wars, Sat, April 7, 2pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-9968.
• KIRAN DESAI Daughter of novelist Anita Desai, the writer presents her most recent novel, "The Inheritance of Loss," about a retired, Cambridge-educated judge who lives with his orphaned granddaughter and his cook at the foot of the Himalayas in the 1980s, right around Nepal's move toward independence, Thu, April 12, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-567-4341.
• L.Y. MARLOW The local author discusses and signs her memoir, "Color Me Butterfly," examining the impact of domestic violence on families and individuals through the story of four generations of mothers and daughters, Thu, April 5, 7pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-9958.
• LEE EISENBERG Penn alumnus and former Esquire editor-in-chief talks about his latest book, "The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life," about how to begin financial planning for a secure and fulfilling future, Mon, April 9, 5pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• MARIE PONSOT The poet, mother of seven and author of "The Bird Catcher" gives a reading of her works, Thu, April 5, 7:30pm, FREE , Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-5210.
• NATHALIE ANDERSON & ELAINE TERRANOVA The Creative Writing program director of Swarthmore University and Creative Writing professor of the Community College of Philadelphia reads from and discusses their works, Tue, April 10, 6pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• PETE DEXTER The novelist and erstwhile Philadelphia Daily News columnist (who was almost beaten to death by readers who disagreed with his column) presents "Paper Trails: True Stories of Confusion, Mindless Violence, and Forbidden Desires, a Surprising Number of Which are Not About Marriage," a collection of essays about the darker side of human experience, Tue, April 10, 6pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, 19th & Vine sts., 215-567-4341.
• QUAN BARRY The award-winning poet and author of the collections "Asylum" and "Controvertibles" reads from her works at the Scheuer Room in Kohlberg Hall, Thu, April 12, 7pm, FREE , Swarthmore College, Rt. 320, Swarthmore, 610-328-8535.
• RICHARD N. JULIANI The Villanova University sociology professor signs and talks about his book, "Priest, Parish, and People: Saving the Faith in Philadelphia's Little Italy," tracing the role of religion in the lives of Italian immigrants in Philadelphia from the 1850s to the early 1930s, Wed, April 11, 6-8pm, FREE , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St., 215-732-6200.
• ROSELLEN BROWN Part of the Villanova Literary Festival, the novelist and author of "The Autobiography of My Mother," "Tender Mercies" and "Before and After" reads her works at the Connelly Center, Tue, April 10, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, 610-519-4630.
• ROXBOROUGH LYRIC POETRY ASSOCIATION An informal reading of members' poetry, short fiction and literary satire, Thu, April 5, 7-8:30pm, FREE , Spoons Coffeehouse, 8919 Ridge Ave., 215-482-0907.
• SABRIYE TENBERKEN The German-born author discusses her book, "My Path Leads to Tibet: The Inspiring Story of How One Young Blind Woman Brought Hope to the Blind Children of Tibet.", Mon, April 9, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-1788.
• SHARON SAKSON AND CONTRIBUTORS The co-editor and contributors of "Paws and Reflect: Exploring the Bond Between Gay men and Their Dogs" give a reading, Tue, April 10, 5:30-7pm, FREE , Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.
• TAWNI O'DELL The Oprah Book Club alum and author of "Coal Run" gives a talk about "Sister Mine," her latest novel set in rural Pennsylvania coal country, Tue, April 10, 7:30pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 720 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-520-1788.
• TONYA FOSTER The poet and writing teacher presents her work as part of the Temple University Poets and Writers Series, Thu, April 12, 2:30-4pm, FREE , Temple University, Anderson Hall, 1114 W. Berks St., 215-204-1796.
• WILLIAM P. KIEHL The Penn alum and editor of "America's Dialogue with the World" discusses the anthology's essays and ideas about America's role in the global community, Tue, April 10, 5pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• YOUNG ADULT WRITERS PANEL The Rutgers-Camden Center for Children and Childhood Studies hosts a panel discussion with Mary Hogan, Francisco Stork and Blake Nelson, three successful YA novelists. Wed, April 11, 12:15-1:10pm, FREE , Rutgers University, 5th & Lawrence sts., Camden, NJ, 856-225-6741.