Readings/Book Signings

• ADRIAN TOMINE The comic book author presents his new work, "Shortcomings." His distinctive drawings have appeared on the covers of the "New Yorker," "Rolling Stone" and "Time." Tue, Nov. 6, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• BRETT BEVELL The author reads from his new book, "The Reiki Magic Guide to Self," an illustrated guidebook to the rituals and healing treatments of the Reiki practice. Thu, Nov. 1, 6pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• CHRIS MERCOGLIANO The author reads from his new book, "In Defense of Childhood: Protecting Kids' Inner Wildness," which examines how over-structured school days are robbing children of imagination. A screening of "Free to Learn: A Radical Experiment in Education," a documentary about the Albany Free School, will follow. Fri, Nov. 2, 3pm, FREE , Molly's Bookstore, 1010 S. 9th St., 215-923-3367.
• DANA KOLLMANN The former Baltimore crime scene investigator reads from her new book, "Never Suck a Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI." Fri, Nov. 2, 6-8pm, FREE , Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-563-3737.
• HAIFA ZANGANA The political commentator and novelist reads from her new book, "City of Windows: An Iraqi Woman's Account of War and Resistance," which traces the long line of female activists in Iraq who have resisted foreign aggression and national despotism during the past hundred years. Zangana is a former prisoner of Sadaam Hussein's Ba'ath regime. Thu, Nov. 8, mid., FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• OLIVER SACKS This author reads from his new book, "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain," which examines the human response to music. Thu, Nov. 1, 8pm, $6, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• PAM JENOFF The local author reads from her debut novel, "The Kommandant's Girl," the story of a young Jewish bride during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Lunch is included. Wed, Nov. 7, noon, $20-$25, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3027.
• SHALOM AUSLANDER The essayist reads from his new memoir, "Foreskin's Lament," a tale of growing up in a troubled Orthodox Jewish family. Thu, Nov. 8, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• THOMAS H. KEELS The local interest author reads from his new book, "Forgotten Philadelphia: Lost Architecture of the Quaker City," a survey of local landmarks that have bowed to time and changing tastes, from Penn's Slate Roof House to the Liberty Bell Pavilion. Wed, Nov. 7, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.