Readings/Book Signings

• ANN WRIGHT The former U.S. Army colonel reads from her new book, "Dissent: Voices of Conscience: Government Insiders Who Spoke Out Against the War in Iraq ... and Why We Never Heard About It." In it, she describes the actions of 25 dissenters in government, including herself, who took great risks to speak out against the current administration's actions in Iraq. Wed, Jan. 30, 6pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.
• BENJAMIN CHESLUK The author reads from his new book, "Money Jungle: Imagining the New Times Square," in which he discusses changes made to this one urban intersection, and with it, changes to urban life. Thu, Jan. 31, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• CHIDELU ADA ENIGWE The local author also known as Chi-Chi E. reads from her new children's book, "The Most Beautiful Twin." Sun, Jan. 27, 2-5pm, FREE , North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000.
• DAVID GRAZIAN The author and Penn professor reads from his new book, "On the Make: The Hustle of Urban Nightlife," in which he provides a tour of downtown Philadelphia and its newly bustling nightlife scene. Wed, Jan. 30, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• KYLE CASSIDY The photojournalist behind "Armed America: Portraits of Gun Owners in Their Homes" discusses his two-year journey across the U.S. to learn why so many Americans own firearms. Thu, Jan. 24, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• LARRY SIPE The author reads from his new book, "StoryTime: Young Children's Literary Understanding in the Classroom," in which he presents a theoretical model of children's understanding of picture storybooks based on his research in urban classrooms. Mon, Jan. 28, 6pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• MADELeINE ALBRIGHT The former United States Secretary of State reads from her new book, "Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership," in which she discusses how the country can recover after the Bush administration. Tue, Jan. 29, noon, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• MUHAMMAD YUNUS The economist and Nobel Prize-winner reads from his new book, "Creating a World Without Poverty: How Social Business Can Transform Our Lives." Using microloans to upstart small businesses, Yunus has already started a grassroots movement to help folks get on their feet. Thu, Jan. 24, noon, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• NATHAN MCCALL The essayist and memoirist reads from his first novel, "Them," the story of Barlowe Reed, an Atlanta printer just barely scraping by, and the misunderstandings that ensue when a young professional white couple moves into his mostly black, working-class neighborhood. His previous nonfiction works include "Makes Me Wanna Holler" and "What's Going On."Tue, Jan. 29, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• RACHEL PASTAN The Swarthmore resident reads from her new novel, "Lady of the Snakes."Tue, Jan. 29, 7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.
• RODDY DOYLE AND A.L. KENNEDY Doyle reads from his new collection of short stories, "The Deportees and Other Stories," which is rooted in working class experiences and the effects if immigration on Irish culture.Kennedy reads from her new novel, "Day," which is full of her signature sharp observations and dark humo. Thu, Jan. 24, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.
• RUSSEL BANKS The Pulitzer and PEN/Faulkner finalist reads from his new novel, "The Reserve," which is set in the Adirondacks during the height of the Great Depression. Thu, Jan. 31, 7pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.