Readings/Book Signings

 

• ANNE RICE The dark mistress of the New York Times' best-seller list reads from her new book, "Called out of Darkness," a memoir of her Catholic childhood. Fri, Oct. 10, 7:30-9pm, $7-$14, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-7850.

 

 

• BARRY VACKER The Temple professor and author discuses his essay "Slugging Nothing" from the anthology "You DO Not Talk About Fight Club." Tyler Durden is more than just a nihilistic hipster, he represents a premodern angst about the future. To him, the future is nothing more than a vanishing point of hyper reality and fundamentalism. Thu, Oct. 16, 6-7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• COLUMBUS DAY READING Celebrate with readings by Italian-American poets including Maria Fama, Mary Ann Mannino, Rob Marchesani, Emiliano Maartin, Linda Pizzi and Tad Tuleja. Al Taconelli and Rosemary Cappello will be co-moderators. Mon, Oct. 13, 6-8pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• CRAIG EISENDRATH The author and former U.S. Foreign Service Officer reads from his new book, "To Enter Jerusalem." Wed, Oct. 15, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.

 

 

• DAVID BIRO The author of "One Hundred Days of Pain: My Unexpected Journey from Doctor to Patient" lectures on his new book, "The Language of Pain: Metaphors of Suffering in the Arts from Leo Tolstoy to Frida Kahlo. Wed, Oct. 15, 6pm, Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-563-3737.

 

 

• DEXTER FILKINS The author and New York Times foreign correspondent reads from his new book, "The Forever War," in which he details his time in the trenches of Fallujah with the U.S. Marines. Tue, Oct. 14, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.

 

 

• ERIN EINHORN The journalist and author reads from her new book, "Pages in Between." Einhorn traces her own history back to a family in Poland who hid her mother during the Holocaust, but the reunion is not a pretty one. Sun, Oct. 12, 1-2pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• BRUCE KULICK The author and Penn prof discusses his new book, "Black Philosopher, White Academy: The Career of William Fontaine." At a time when most African-American students went to black colleges, William Fontaine was the only black professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Thu, Oct. 16, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215- 898-7595.

 

 

• GREG MELVILLE The author and journalist discusses his new book, "Greasy Rider," the true story of two friends who trekked across the country in a fry-oil fueled Mercedes station wagon. Sat, Oct. 11, 1-2pm, FREE , Chester County Book Co., 975 Paoli Pk., West Chester, 610-696-1661.

 

 

• JANE CASSIDY AND MICHAEL O'HARE The poets will read from their latest work, followed by a small open mic. Thu, Oct. 16, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-878-1870.

 

 

• JEFFERY ETHAN LEE Poets and Prophets presents a reading with this poet, whose work focuses on Buddhism, meditation, PTSD and race. Mon, Oct. 13, 7-9pm, $3, Plays and Players Club, 1714 Delancey Street, 3rd Floor, 610-328-7638.

 

 

• JONATHAN MAYBERRY The zombie apocalypse is coming, but never fear, zombie expert and author Jonathan Mayberry is here to help. He'll read from his new book ,"Zombie CSU," in which he interviews forensic experts, zombie experts and detectives to provide an invaluable guide to fighting off the undead. Thu, Oct. 9, 12:30-1:30pm, FREE , Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400.

 

 

• MATT BIRBECK The author reads from and signs his new book, "Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, Madness and the Mob, " in which he investigates how, after a six-decade long career, Sammy Davis Jr. died in 1990 in near bankruptcy. Wed, Oct. 15, 6-7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• RICHARD FLEMING The author reads from his new book, "Walking to Guantonamo." Depressed and fed up with his life, Fleming decided to drop everything and walk across Cuba, a 1,000-mile trip that took him from Pinar del Rio in the west to Guantonnamo in the east. Sun, Oct. 12, 3-4pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 844-1870.

 

 

• THOMAS SLAUGHTER The author and Rochester prof discusses his new book, "The Beautiful Soul of John Woolman, Apostle of Abolition," a biography of the 18th-century Quaker. Tue, Oct. 14, 5:30-7pm, Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St., 215-546-3181.