Banned Books Week

Wed., Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

by Eric Schuman

Every September since 1982, bookworms across the country have commemorated how narrow-minded and out of touch The Man can be by celebrating a host of damn good reads that have either been challenged or banned from public view. One of Philadelphia's contributions to the celebration is an evening of recitation hosted by the Free Library. A cavalcade of authors and artists will gather to share selections from their favorite works that, at one point or another, offended someone's sensibilities enough that they rallied to have them removed from public schools, libraries and bookstores. Participants include local mystery writer Merry Jones, Edgar Allan Poe expert Edward Pettit and singer John Wesley Harding.