Readings/Book Signings

• ALICE SEBOLD The best-selling author of "The Lovely Bones" reads from her new novel, "The Almost Moon," th emotional and occasionally morbid exploration of the ties between mothers and daughters. Wed, Oct. 17, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• D.H. DUBLIN & DAVE WHITE Dublin, aka Jon McGoran, author of the Philadelphia-based forensic thrillers "Blood Poison" and "Body Trace," and Dave White, debut author of "When One Man Dies," read and discuss their new crime fiction. Thu, Oct. 11, 6:30-8:30pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• DEREK WALCOTT The poet and playwright, also the recipient of the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature, reads from his extensive collection of lyric, dramatic and narrative poetry. Thu, Oct. 11, 7:30pm, FREE , Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-5210.
• ELIZABETH K. GORDON The author reads from her new book, "Walk with Us: Triplet Boys, Their Teen Parents and Two White Women Who Tagged Along," a heartwarming story set in Philadelphia where two white lesbians share a household with a young black family. Wed, Oct. 17, 5:30pm, FREE , Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.
• JACK GOTTLIEB The author reads (and sings!) from his new book, "Funny, It Doesn't Sound Jewish: How Yiddish Songs and Synagogue Melodies Influences Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, and Hollywood." The book chronicles how Jewish songwriters and composers transformed the music of mid 20th-century America. Brunch is included. Sun, Oct. 14, 11am, $15-$20, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3027.
• JANET NEIGH AND JOANNA FUHRMAN The Emergency Reading Series presents readings of prose and poetry. Neigh lives in Philadelphia where she is working on her Ph.D. in contemporary poetics and transnational feminism at Temple University. Fuhrman is the author of three books of poetry: "Freud in Brooklyn," "Ugh Ugh Ocean" and "Moraine." Thu, Oct. 18, 6pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.
• JONATHAN MABERRY The Bram Stoker Award-winning author reads from his new book ,"The Cryptopedia: A Dictionary of the Weird, Strange and Downright Bizarre." Divided into thirteen chapters and fully illustrated, the guide to all things occult and paranormal includes key words, phrases, places and people (as well as gods, demons, angels and monsters) to help you navigate the unknown. Fri, Oct. 12, 7:30am, FREE , Borders Bookstore, 4020 Dearborn Circle, Mt. Laurel, NJ, 856-866-9090.
• JONATHAN MESSINGER The author reads from his new collection, "Hiding Out." The short stories explore themes such as teen sexuality and lost innocence through humor, wit and a healthy dose of sarcasm. Mon, Oct. 15, 7-11pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• MARIO MOUSSA The local author and Wharton professor reads from his new book "The Art of Woo: Using Strategic Persuasion to Sell Your Ideas," co-authored by Richard G. Shell. The entertaining and useful guide helps readers get attention and sell their ideas through strategic relationship-based persuasion. Tue, Oct. 16, 6:30am, FREE , Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd St., 215-923-9525.
• MASAHARU MORIMOTO The celebrity chef, Food Network star and restaurateur discusses his new book, "Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking." The recipes include sushi and traditional Kaiseki cuisine infused with European and Western techniques and ingredients. Tue, Oct. 16, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• MIKE WARREN The author reads from "A Private Affair," his new novel about a young, married black man in the military with a male lover or two on the side. Fri, Oct. 12, 5:30-7pm, FREE , Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.
• MONICA NOLAN The author reads from her new novel, "Lois Lenz, Lesbian Secretary," a smart and funny parody of gay and lesbian pulp classics. Thu, Oct. 18, 5:30pm, FREE , Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960.
• RUTU MODAN The award-winning Israeli cartoonist discusses her new graphic novel,"Exit Wounds," the story of a Tel Aviv cab driver's tragic connection with a suicide bombing. Modan's Illustrations have appeared in "The New Yorker" and "Le Monde." Sun, Oct. 14, 2pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• 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.