Readings/Book Signings

• "ON THE ROAD" TURNS 50 Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jack Kerouac's masterpiece, "On the Road." There will be a performance by musician and Kerouac collaborator David Amram, followed by a panel discussion featuring Kerouac's companion and National Book Critic's Circle Award winner Joyce Johnson and beat scholar Penny Vlagopoulos. This event is moderated by John Leland, author of "Why Kerouac Matters" and is co-sponsored by the 215 Festival. Thu, Oct. 4, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• ANDREA BARRETT The author reads from her new novel "The Air We Breathe," which is in am isolated community for tubercular parients on the eve of WWI. Thu, Oct. 11, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• BOB PERELMAN The poet will read from his work, which includes more than 15 volumes of poetry, most recently "IFLIFE, The Future of Memory" and "Ten to One: Selected Poems and Playing Bodies," a collaboration with painter Francie Shaw. Thu, Oct. 4, 8pm, FREE , Temple University Center City Campus, 1515 Market St., Room 222, 215-204-1796.
• CLAIRE MESSUD The Faulkner Award finalist reads from her new novel, "The Air We Breathe," a portrait of life among Manhattan's junior intelligentsia. Thu, Oct. 11, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• DEREK WALCOTT The poet and playwright, also the recipient of the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature, will read from his works. Walcott has distinguished himself in lyric, dramatic and narrative poetry through such works as "Dream on Monkey Mountain," "Omeros," "The Prodigal" and "The Arkansas Testament." Thu, Oct. 11, 7:30pm, FREE , Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-5210.
• ELLEN BLUM BARISH The author reads from her newest collection of essays,"Views from the Home Office Window: On Motherhood, Family and Life." Written over a decade of her life from three home office window views, these columns chronicle life as a working mother who wraps her career around the pace of her children's lives. Sun, Oct. 7, 4pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.
• HOPE FOX The author reads from her debut cookbook "Impress For Less!" Though these recipes are streamlined and simplified for the basic home cook. Sat, Oct. 6, 11:30am-3pm, FREE , Le Bec-Fin, 1523 Walnut St., 215-567-1000.
• IRWIN CHUSID The author and music historian discusses his new book, "Songs In The Key of Z: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music." Thu, Oct. 4, 6pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• KEN FOLLETT The author reads from his new book, "World Without End," the sequel to "The Pillars of the Earth." Thu, Oct. 11, 1pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• OLENA K. DAVIS The poet reads from her first collection, "And Her Soul Out of Nothing," which was selected by Rita Dove for the Brittingham Prize for Poetry. Tue, Oct. 9, 6pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• PETER COLE The poet and translator reads from his new book, "The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492." Mon, Oct. 8, 6pm, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• RICHARD RUSSO The Pulitzer Prize-winning author reads from his new novel, "Bridge of Sighs," the story of a small town and the claims of family complicated by the contrary motivations of an expatriate. Tue, Oct. 9, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• SHEPPARD KOMINARS The author reads from his new book "Write for Life: Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit Through Journal Writing," a look at the healing benefits of writing. Thu, Oct. 4, 5:30pm, FREE , Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.
• SUDDENLY EVERYONE BEGAN READING ALOUD This celebration of visual and sound poet Bob Cobbing, features Maggie O'Sullivan, Cris Cheek, Marvin Sackner, Charles Bernstein and Matt Abess. Thu, Oct. 11, 7pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.