Readings/Book Signings

 

• ANNETTE GORDON-REED The presidential scholar and author reads from her new book, "The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family." Set in 1790s Philadelphia, revolutionary Paris and Monticello, Gordon-Reed brings Jefferson and the Hemings family to life in order to tell the much suppressed history of one of our nation's founding fathers.Thu, Sep. 25, 7-9pm, FREE , Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.

 

 

• BRIAN GREENE Known for his extraordinary work on string theory, Brian Greene's book, "The Elegant Universe," is the basis for the PBS show "Nova." Greene is back again to read his new book, "Icarus at the Edge of Time," a futuristic re-telling of the story of Icarus using glossy satellite photos of space. Tue, Sep. 23, 7:30pm-9am, $7-$14, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5424.

 

 

• CHARLES BERNHMEIR SYMSPOSIUM Food and prose, yum. The Kelly Writers house presents a day of epicurean pleasures starting with a lunch program with "Urban Vegan" blogger Dynise Balcavage. Still hungry for food writing? Join restaurateur Ellen Yin of Fork for a discussion on her memoir and cookbook, "Forklore." Registration required. Thu, Sep. 25, 11:45am, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748.

 

 

• DAVID MURA The author of "Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire" reads from his latest novel about a troubled Japanese astrophysicist who must reckon with his family's history and the legacy of Japanese internment. Mon, Sep. 22, 6-8pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• DORIAN SOLOT AND MARSHALL MILLER Authors and sex educators Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller deliver an exhaustive and entertaining lecture on how to use lady-parts. Based on the best-selling book, "I Love Female Orgasm," the workshop will cover topics such as body image, sexual agency, female anatomy and frequently asked questions. Tue, Sep. 23, 7-9pm, FREE , University of Pennsylvania, Huntsman Hall, 3730 Walnut Street, 215- 573-0531.

 

 

• DR. KEITH THOMSON The former Academy of Natural Sciences prez and author discusses his new book ,"The Legacy of the Mastodan: The Golden Age of Fossils in America." Thu, Sep. 25, 6:30-7:30pm, $8-$10, Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. & the Parkway, 215-299-1043.

 

 

• FRANCINE PROSE The National Book Award finalist reads from her new novel "Golden Grove," the story of a young girl plunged into grief after the death of her sister. Thu, Sep. 18, 7:30-9pm, $7-$14, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

 

 

• JEWELL PARKER RHODES The author reads excerpts from her new novel,"Yellow Moon," in which an ER physician in post-Katrina New Orleans uses her voodoo skills to solve a grissly murder. Wed, Sep. 24, 6-8pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• JOANNA POLYN The blogger and author reads from her new book, "Sleep Is For The Weak," an anthology of the best of the mommybloggers including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Would Coulda Shoulda and Mom-101. Thu, Sep. 25, 3-4:30pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• JUSTINE LARBALESTIER The author reads from her new book, "How to Ditch Your Fairy." In the enchanted high school of New Avalon, everyone has a personal fairy to watch over them. But 14-year-old Charlie's fairy causes more harm than good. Wed, Sep. 24, 7-8:30pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• JAN YAGER The author and time management expert discusses her new book,"Work Less, Do More: Your 14-day Productivity Makeover." Fri, Sep. 19, 7:30-8:30pm, FREE , Barnes and Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

 

 

• KATHERINE ADAM AND CHARLES DERBER Join authors Katherine Adam and Charles Derber for a Q&A and open discussion about their book, "The New Feminized Majority." Adam and Derber argue that women's values — family, health care, a strong economy — are no longer the province of females alone in this new political landscape. Wed, Sep. 24, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., 215-387-3434.

 

 

• KEVIN MILANO The author reads and signs his new book, "Remembering Kensington and Fishtown: Philadelphia's Riverward Neighborhoods," which traces the history of pre-JB's Fishtown. Thu, Sep. 18, 7-9pm, FREE , Germ Books and Gallery, 2005 Frankford Ave., 215-423-5002.

 

 

• KIM FELINER The author reads from her new book, "Wrestling with Starbucks." Once known as a progressive company, the coffee behemoth has spread to all corners of the world from China's Forbidden City to the end of your block. Fellner takes an intimate look into the company by talking to baristas, Central American coffe farmers, independent cafe owners and union activists, among others, in order to pinpoint that fine line the company walks between Wall Street and liberalism. Wed, Sep. 24, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

 

 

• LEIF GUSTAVSON The Arcadia University prof and author reads from and discusses his new book, "Youth Learning On Their Own Terms: Creative Practice and Classroom Teaching." Thu, Sep. 18, 4-5pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

 

 

• LIVE AT THE WRITERS HOUSE This evening of poetry features readings by Tom Devaney, Randall Couch, Trapeta B. Mayson, Scott Edward Anderson and Ish Klein as well as musical guest Hezikiah Jones, Mon, Sep. 22, 7-9pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748.

 

 

• OMAR TYREE New York Times best-selling author reads and signs his new book ,"Pecking Order," in which accountant Ivan Davis casts off his lot in order to dive into the glamorous world of Southern California party-planning. Tue, Sep. 23, 6:30-8pm, FREE , Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400.

 

 

• REBECCA ALPERT The Rabbi and author discusses her new book, "Whose Torah? A Concise Guide to Progressive Judaism." Alpert uses Judaism as a framework for addressing questions of gender, race, poverty, sexuality, war and the environment and offers a basis for progressive activism rooted in the Torah. Thu, Sep. 25, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

 

 

• WRITERS WITHOUT BORDERS Join editors Wayne Miller and Kevin Prufer for a discussion and reading of the anthology "New European Poets." In this landmark work, Miller and Prufer recruited 24 regional editors to translate poets from all regions of Europe, many of these poems appearing in English for the fist time. Tue, Sep. 23, 6-7pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748.