Talk Wordy to Me

Your Philly lit calendar

by Carolyn Huckabay

LIT CALENDAR

Editor Steven Goldman joins BP2009 contributors for a stat chat. Bonus points if you already know what PECOTA stands for.

Tue., March 24, 5 p.m., free, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595, upenn.bncollege.com.

Former Fox 29 anchorman, who's traded hard news for a healthy imagination, kicks off his national book tour here. (See A.D. Amorosi's review of Etta.)

Thu., March 26, 7:30 p.m., $5 (can be applied to the purchase of his book), Head House Books, 619 S. Second St., 215-923-9525, headhousebooks.com.

Philly historian gives a talk on his new book, The History of the Kensington Soup Kitchen, schooling us on what he calls "Kensingtoniana."

Thu., March 26, 7 p.m., free, Germ Books + Gallery, 2005 Frankford Ave., 215-423-5002, germbooks.com.

Has the Nobel Prize-winning author of Night lost his writing chops? A Mad Desire to Dance is Wiesel's way of saying, hell no. (See Katie Karas' review.)

Mon., March 30, 7:30 p.m., $14, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

Thank Gaitskill in person for writing the short story that inspired S&M romp-com Secretary; we've been in lust with Maggie Gyllenhaal ever since. (See Katherine Hill's review of her latest collection, Don't Cry.) 

HALF OFF DEPOT

Why live life at full price?

Thu., April 2, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch.

Philly area author reads from her new thriller, Look Again, in which a woman realizes her adopted son belongs to someone else. (See Gary M. Kramer's review.)

Tue., April 14, 1 p.m., free, Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400, borders.com.

Bryn Mawr's distinguished-writers series continues with the winner of the 2008 Story Prize.

Wed., April 15, 7:30 p.m., free, Thomas Great Hall, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-526-6520, brynmawr.edu.

Ever-Wicked Kristin Chenoweth, Daily News columnist Solomon Jones and many more take part in this weekend-long book-lovers' bash.

Sat.-Sun., April 18-19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch.

Temple teacher/author of The Passing Game: Queering Jewish American Culture gives a talk on gay Jewish identity in theater, film and literature.

Thu., April 23, 6 p.m., free, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., 215-923-2960, giovannisroom.com.

"Genius grant"-winning author reads from Sag Harbor, which critic Matt Jakubowski calls "lyrical and hilarious." (See his full review.)

Tue., May 5, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch.

(carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net)