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, Sept. 25, 7-9pm, FREE , Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.

 

 

• BANNED BOOKS: A READING Join hip-hop artist Urulsa Rucker, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Anette Johns-Hall, Larry Robin of Robin's Books and Young Philly Politics blogger Dan Urevik-Acklesberg for a reading of their favorite forbidden books in honor of Banned Books Week. Naughty. Wed, Oct. 1, 7-9pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5414.

 

 

• BEN LERNER The poet and National Book Award discusses his latest work. Tue, Sept. 30, 6-7pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-WRIT.

 

 

• BRIDGET TURNER The author reads from and signs her new book, "Without a Clue: A Young Woman's Journey from Darkness Into Light," in which a young African-American woman deals with mentally ill parents, a cheating man and illness. Sat, Sept. 27, 3-4pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• 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, Sept. 25, 11:45am-7pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748.

 

 

• ERIC SHEINDER The author and Penn professor discusses and signs his new book, "Smack: Heroin and the American City." Interviewing junkies, clinic workers and scavenging through archives, Sheinder produces an insightful, in-depth history of heroin and its relationship to urban centers. Tue, Sept. 30, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

 

 

• JEFFERY RENARD ALLEN The author reads from his new book of short stories, "Holding Pattern: Stories." Allen's fantastical pieces feature everything from humans sprouting wings to pennies falling from the sky. Wed, Oct. 1, 6-7:30pm, 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, Sept. 25, 3-4:30pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• 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," which charts the rise of paleontology. Thu, Sept. 25, 6:30-7:30pm, $8-$10, Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. & the Parkway, 215-299-1043.

 

 

• KRISTIN PALM and ETHEL RACKIN The poets and authors read from their new work. Palm's latest, "The Straits" consists of two long form poetic meditation on Detroit, her former hometown. Rackin, an accomplished poet and scholar, is working on a PhD in English at Princeton. Tue, Sept. 30, 6-7:30pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• LINDA AND LORETTA SANCHEZ The congresswomen and authors discuss their new book, "Dream in Color: How the Sanchez Sisters are Making History in Congress." Daughters of Mexican immigrants, they speak openly and honestly about the perils and joys of balancing their personal lives and high-powered careers. Mon, Sept. 29, noon-1pm, FREE , Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5414.

 

 

• MYSTERY BRUNCH Join mystery writers Alafair Burke, author of "Angel's Tip," and Robin Hathaway, author of "Sleight of Hand," for an afternoon of murder, intrigue and omelets. Sun, Sept. 28, 1-2:30pm, Time Restaurant, 1315 Sansom St., 215-985-4800.

 

 

• NEIL GAIMAN The New York Times best-selling author reads from his first full-length novel for middle schoolers, "The Graveyard Book." The spooky story is about a boy named Bod who was raised in a graveyard by ghosts and werewolves. Wed, Oct. 1, 6-7pm, 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," in which she 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, Sept. 25, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.