Readings/Book Signings

 

• CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY The best-selling author of "Thank You for Smoking," and former Bush speechwriter reads from his new novel, "Supreme Courtship." Frustrated with the U.S. senate's refusal to confirm his supreme court nominee, the President nominates a TV judge to the bench. Wed, Nov. 5, 7:30-8:30pm, $7-$14, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5424.

 

 

• EXTREME SPORTSWRITING This panel discussion features NPR and Wall Street Journal sports commentator Stefan Fatsis; the best-selling author of "Friday Night Lights," Buzz Bissinger; Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim; and moderator Stephen Fried, author of "Husbandry," "The New Rabbi" and "Thing of Beauty." Sat, Nov. 1, 4:30-6pm, FREE , Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748.

 

 

• FROM KRAKOW TO KRYPTON: JEWS IN COMIC BOOKS Author Arie Kaplan discusses the Jewish contributions and subtexts behind The X-men, Super Man and American Splendor. Wed, Nov. 5, 7-8:30pm, $10-$15, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3021.

 

 

• GRAPHIC NOVELS PANEL Join the Free Library for a panel of heavy-hitting graphic novelists including Art Spiegelman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Maus"; Chipp Kidd, author of "Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan"; Jessica Abel, author of "Drawing Words and Writing Pictures"; David Heatley, author of "My Brain is Hanging Down"; and superstar Charles Burns, author of "Black Holes." Thu, Nov. 6, 7:30-9pm, FREE , Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5424.

 

 

• JONATHAN MABERRY At the latest Noir at the Bar, the Bram Stoker Award-winning author will read from his new thriller, "Patient Zero," in which a Baltimore detective is hired by Homeland Security to stop a zombie terrorist attack. Sun, Nov. 2, 6pm-mid., FREE , Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475.

 

 

• MICHELLE SEWELL The author discusses her new anthology "Just Like A Girl: Manifesta!" a collection of rough-and-tumble tales of girlhood from a diverse collection of ladies ages 14-60. Fri, Oct. 31, 7-8pm, FREE , Wooden Shoe Books, 508 S. 5th St., 215-413-0999.

 

 

• MICKEY RAPKIN The author reads from and signs his new book, "Perfect Pitch," in which he traces the history of the Yale Whiffenpoofs, the first a capella group to serenade a college campus. This is so Penn, it hurts a little. Wed, Nov. 5, 6-7pm, FREE , Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.

 

 

• POETRY CRITIQUE CIRCLE Discuss your favorite poems with the Mad Poets society. Bring 10 copies of your work for a round table discussion. Wed, Nov. 5, 7-8:30pm, FREE , Harvest Books, 9 E. State St., Media, 610-566-3191.

 

 

• PRE-ELECTION POETRY BASH on the eve of the most important election in years, poet and activist Ewuare Osyande breaks it down with a night of poetry, politics and progress. Mon, Nov. 3, 6-8pm, FREE , Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600.

 

 

• TOM BISSINGER The playwright and author performs excerpts from his new work, "Da Capo," a collection of journals, essays and short stories on everything from playwrights trying to destroy each other in a Korean deli to blind bag ladies. Fri, Oct. 17, 8-9:30pm, $5-$10, Philadelphia Society for Art, Literature & Music, 5841 Overbrook Ave., 215-477-7578.