Readings/Book Signings

 

• BARRY VACKER The Temple prof 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. Thu, Oct. 16, 6-7pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• BOYD RICE The author and counter-cultural iconoclast signs the new anthology of his work, "Standing in Two Circles: the Collected Works of Boyd Rice." Rice was a seminal figure in the post-punk era, and this collection contains 30 of his essays, many unpublished, on everything from Charles Manson to rape. Sat, Oct. 18, 7-8:30pm, FREE , Germ Books and Gallery, 2005 Frankford Ave., 215-432-5002.

 

 

• 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.

 

 

• CORNELIA FUNKE The New York Times best-selling author of "Dragon Rider" will read from her new book, "Inkheart," the final book in her Inkworld trilogy. Sat, Oct. 18, 2-3pm, FREE , Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.

 

 

• DONNA AND JERRY ALLENDER The authors discuss their new book, "Humanistic Teacher: First the Child, Then Curriculum," in which they offer theory and practice from their 50 years as educators. Sun, Oct. 19, 3-4pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-434-1870.

 

 

• JANE CASSIDY AND MICHAEL O'HARE The poets 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.

 

 

• JOHN HULME AND MICHAEL WEXLER The authors sign their new book ,"The Seems: The Second Split." In the second book of their young adult series, Becker Drane is having trouble living a normal life. Wed, Oct. 22, 7-8pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• KEVIN KRIPPENDORF The corporate strategist and author reads from his new book, "The Way of Innovation," in which he argues that modern companies can use ancient eastern philosophy to pass through the five stages of innovation: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. Mon, Oct. 20, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

 

 

• KIRK JOHNSON AND RAY TROLL The authors discuss their new book, "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway: An Epoch Tale of a Scientist and an Artist on the Ultimate 5,000-mile Paleo Road Trip." Johnson and Troll scoured the country to find everything from suburban T. Rexes to ancient fossilized forests. Wed, Oct. 22, 6:30-8pm, FREE , Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. & the Parkway, 215-299-1000.

 

 

• NEW PHILADELPHIA POETS Emerging local poets read from new verses. Thu, Oct. 23, 7pm, FREE , Germ Books and Gallery, 2005 Frankford Ave., 215-423-5002, newphiladelphiapoets.com.

 

 

• PADMA VENKATRAMAN The author reads from her debut novel, "Climbing for the Stairs," in which an Indian teenager growing up during WWII dreams of going to college. Sat, Oct. 18, 5-6pm, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.

 

 

• ROY BLOUNT JR. The NPR commentator and author reads from his new book, "Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirit of Letters, Word, and Combinations Thereof." In a light, humorous tone, Blount traces the entomology of modern language using everything from the Oxford English Dictionary to urbandictionary.com. Tue, Oct. 21, 7:30-9pm, $7-$14, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.