Archive for February 2010



2/02/10

Sonia Sanchez reads from her new book of poems, Morning Haiku. The collection celebrates the lives and mourns the deaths of revered African-American leaders.


2/03/10

Pig Candy Medium cover Lise Funderburg signs her memoir Pig Candy: Taking my Father South, Taking My Father Home.

Bomb power cover 105x160 Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and critic Gary Wills talks about and signs Bomb Power: The Modern Presidency and the National Security State.


2/09/10

Anne-Frank-Francine-Prose1-196x300Francine Prose, Free Library of Phila. Book Festival 2006 Photo by Kathye Petrie 300h AuthorFrancine Prose (above, right) talks about her new book, Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife. The book analyzes The Diary of Anne Frank as a work of both intended literature and art. PHOTO: Francine Prose at First Annual Free Library of Philadelphia Book Festival, 2006, by Kathye Fetsko Petrie.


2/10/10

Donald Welch discusses the Philly-based novel In My Sister’s House.



2/13/10

Michael Townsend signs his latest book in the the graphic novel series, KIT FEENY, and demonstrates how graphic novels and comic books are made.


2/15/10

oates_th.jpg Joyce Carol Oates (see also 2/16)


2/16/10

Joyce Carol Oates (see also 2/15)


2/17/10

Drexel University Professor Scott Knowles talks about and signs his book, Imagining Philadelphia: Edmund Bacon and the Future of the City, in which Knowles looks back at Bacon’s ideas and outlines his own visions for our city.


2/18/10

Jazz master and Philadelphia native Jimmy Heath talks about The Autobiography of Jimmy Heath with co-author Joseph McLaren.

Fresh Air television critic David Bianculli talks about and signs Dangerously Funny, his book about the Smothers Brothers.

Eat, Pray, Write: An Evening with Sisters Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray, Love and Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriageand Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Princess Ben, Front and Center and Dairy Queen), in a ticketed event at the Loews Hotel to benefit the Spells Writing Center.


2/19/10

Ghostbread Reading with Sonja Livingston. (WRITERS AND THE PROCESS SERIES atBig Blue Marble Bookstore).


2/21/10

Local author HOMA SABET TAVANGAR visits to discuss her book, Growing Up Global: Raising Children to be at Home in the World.


2/23/10

Skinny Couple in a Box 42x200 Model-turned-weightloss-writer Kim Barnouin, co-author of the bestselling vegan diet book, Skinny Bitch, talks about and signs the new Skinny Couple in a Box, a boxed set of the hardcover versions of Skinny Bitch and Skinny Bastard.



2/24/10

Activist and University of Pennsylvania alum Andrew Lewis discusses The Shadows of Youth: The Remarkable Journey of the Civil Rights Generation.


2/25/10

little-bee-chris-cleave-cover 200x208- Mornings in Jenin 208h

Chris Cleave, author of the acclaimed Little Bee: A Novel; appearing with Susan Abulhawa, author of Mornings in Jenin: A Novel.

Literary historian and Rutger’s University English professor Jack Lynch discusses his book, The Lexicographer’s Dilemma:The Evolution of ‘Proper’ English, from Shakespeare to South Park, at 7: 30 PM at Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA.


2/26/10

The Infinities cover John Banville, author of the Man Booker Prize-winning novel, The Sea, reads from and signs his newest novel, The Infinities.


2/27/10

Photo of Jennifer R. Hubbard  © by Kathye Fetsko Petrie

Local writer Jennifer R. Hubbard signs her debut Young Adult novel, The Secret Year, at Borders Express in Exton, PA, 1 to 3 PM.

Alan Gordon signs The Parisian Prodigal.

Archive for January 2010



1/08/10

How to Save Your Own Life cover

Michael Gates Gill talks about How to Save Your Own Life.


1/11/10

Sonia Sanchez reads haiku at Moonstone Arts Center.


THE BRANDYWINE VALLEY WRITERS GROUP with special guests Dena Blizzard, a former Miss New Jersey and a stand-up comedian, and Taylor Mason, a comic and the author of the forthcoming work, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ventriloquism.

Richard D. Bank talks about and signs his book of advice on writing and publishing non-fiction.


1/12/10

Cover-of-Remarkable-Creatures2-185x300 Tracy Chevalier signs her new novel, Remarkable Creatures, historical fiction inspired by the life of British fossil hunter and dinosaur discoverer Mary Anning.

Jewish Views of the Afterlife reading with author Simcha Raphael.


1/14/10

All Things at Once Cover 185x278 Televison news journalist Mika Brezkinski talks about and signs her new book, All Things at Once, a motivational book for women on balancing one’s personal life and family with a one’s career  (interestingly, Brezkinski once held her baby during an interview with a senator on TV). Mika Brezkinski will be appearing with her MSNBC Morning Joe show co-host, Joe Scarborough.


1/17/10

Philadelphia Stories hosts a free open house/reading to celebrate the release of the literary magazine’s winter issue. Readers include: Mark Wolverton, Liz Abrams-Morley, Nina Israel Zucker, Jonathan Kemmerer-Scovner and Jenny Lentz. This event is free and open to the public and takes place from 2 to 4 PM at Robins’ Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia.


1/19/10

36 Arguments For The Existence Of God cover 136x200 Rebecca Goldstein talks about and signs 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction.

Pig Candy Medium cover Lise Funderburg signs her memoir Pig Candy: Taking my Father South, Taking My Father Home. (See also 2/3/2010)


1/21/10

The Swan Thieves cover 29x200 Elizabeth Kostova, author of the New York Times #1 best-selling debut novel, The Historian, talks about and signs her eagerly anticipated second novel, The Swan Thieves.


1/24/10

Jeff Fekete talks about and signs Making The Big Game: Tales of an Accidental Spectator, a memoir of attending Super Bowl XLII.


1/25/10

Stephen Kinzer, author of All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror, talks about current U.S.-Iran relations in conversation withPhiladelphia Inquirer columnist Trudy Rubin.


1/26/10

The Villanova Literary Festival presents Elizabeth Strout, author of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winningOlive Kitteridge .

Journalist David Sax talks about the history of Jewish food and his book, Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen. This event features (non-kosher) food from Philadelphia’s 80-year old Famous Fourth Street Deli.



1/27/10

Ozzy Osbourne discusses and signs his just-released autobiography, I Am Ozzy.


1/28/10

The Unnamed cover The Privileges cover Joshua Ferris talks about his latest novel, The Unnamed. He will be  appearing with with Jonathan Dee, author of The Privileges.


1/30/10

2nd Annual Children’s Illustrator Fair — Jointly sponsored by the Main Line Art Center (where the event takes place) and Children’s Book World in Haverford, this event will include illustrators Eric WightLee HarperPonder GoembelMichael Townsend and Mark Rogalski.

LAUNCH Party for The Secret Year, a debut YA novel by local author Jennifer R. Hubbard (“WriterJenn“) at Children’s Book World in Haverford, 2 to 4 PM. [Editor's Note: Author Jennifer Hubbard is pictured above at a recent meeting of Phladelphia's MILESTONES Children’s Critique Circle, of which she is a member, along with, full disclosure, Local LIT editor Kathye Fetsko Petrie.]

Archive for December 2009

12/1/2009

Julia Alvarez Acclaimed novelist and poet Julia Alvarez (Photo by Bill Eichner).

Amy Goodman book Amy Goodman

Lydia Cooks coverLidia Bastianich

Sports writer Robert Lyons discusses and signs his book, On Any Given Sunday: A Life of Bert Bell. The book is published by Temple University Press.

Lisa-Scottoline 200x204 Local favorite Lisa Scottoline discusses and signs her new non-fiction collection of her Philadelphia Inquirer columns, Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog. PHOTO: April Narby

Print Jeff VanderMeer talks about his new non-fiction title BOOKLIFE: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 20th Century Writer, at 7 PM at Between Books, 2703 2703 Philadelphia Pike,  Claymont, DE.

12/2/09

Leslie Caron cover Film star Leslie Caron talks about her life and new memoir, Thank Heaven, in an on-stage interview with Philadelphia Inquirer film critic Carrie Rickey at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Grafton U Sue Grafton talks about and signs her latest “alphabet mystery,” U is for Undertow.

Stanley Weintraub talks about and signs his Civil War non-fiction title General Sherman’s Christmas: Savannah 1864.

University of Pennsylvania Annenberg professor Monroe Price talks about Objects of Remembrance, a memoir about his European roots and Viennese ancestors.

Gravy Wars coverPhiladelphia broadcaster Lorraine Ranalli talks about and signs Gravy Wars: South Philly Foods, Feuds & Attytudes.

12/3/09

LIT by Mary Karr Poet and memoirist Mary Karr.

12/4/09

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City Paper Writing Contest graphic 20 small09Elise Juska 175h headshotThomas Devaney 175h headshot

LIT FLASH 12/4/09: Elise Juska (fiction) and Thomas Devaney (poetry) have been named judges for Philadelphia City Paper’s 24th Annual Writing Contest. Deadline for submissions is next week, Friday, 12/11/2009, by 5 PM, so get busy. Rules are posted here. READ FULL STORY.

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skippyjon jones lost in spice cover 185 w Local favorite Judy Schachner signs her #1 New York Timesbestselling Skippyjon Jones title, Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice at T. Bumbles in Swarthmore(for Swarthmore First Friday). See also 11/21, 11/22 and 12/5.

Author Zane discusses and signs Total Eclipse of the Heart.

NancyViau Nancy Viau discusses and signs her middle-grade novel, Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in her Head. (See also 12/5)

ultimate-book-sports-movies-featuring-100-greatest-glen-macnow-paperback-cover-art Pelle Lindbergh cover Glen MacNow and Ray Didinger sign The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies, in which they rank and share info about the 100 greatest sport movies of all time. The pair will be joined by hockey columnist Bill Meltzer who will discuss and sign Pelle Lindbergh: Behind the White Mask, his new book on the Philadelphia Flyers goalie. Both events take place at Chester County Book & Music Company starting at 7 PM. According to the bookstore website, popcorn will be served.

about_danielnester_2006_office_face Daniel Nester signs his humorous collection of nonfiction, How to Be Inappropriate. (See also 12/5)

PS (Philadelphia Stories) Reads series featuring local authors Colleen Baranich, Barry Dinerman, Eileen Moeller, Tim Zatzariny, Bernard Schaefer and Angela Canales reading talking about the writing process.

Schuster-Wonder_Mom_Cover-final.img_assist_custom Broad_Street_Cover2.img_assist_custom PS (Philadelphia Stories) Reads series and First Friday reading/Art Show featuring local authors Marc Schuster and Christine Weiser and their books’ cover artist, Marlise Tkaczuk, at Dhyana Yoga, 68 N. Second Street, Philadelphia.

12/5/09

schachner New York Times #1 bestselling author/illustrator Judy Schachner signs her latest Skippyjon Jones title, Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice at Children’s Book World in Haverford. See also 11/21, 11/22 and 12/4.

samantha_bookcover Nancy Viau discusses and signs her middle-grade novel, Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in her Head. (See also 12/4)

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LIARS AT WELLINGTON SQUARE BOOKSHOP

Liar's Club group shot

Photo: (front l-r) Jonathan Maberry, Don Lafferty, (2nd row) Marie Lamba, Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, (back) Jon McGoran (aka D.H. Dublin), Kelly Simmons, Dennis Tafoya.

Nine members of the Philly Liars Club, a loose affiliation of local authors who, as fiction writers, “basically lie for a living,” as well as support local independent book shops, celebrate and sign their books at the newly re-located, revamped and gorgeous Wellington Square Bookshop , which is located in the Eagleville development at 543 Wellington Square, in Exton, PA.

Authors atending this event are:

  • Bram Stoker award winner Jonathan Maberry (Patient Zero, St. Martin’s)
  • Fantasy author Gregory Frost (Shadowbridge, and Lord Tophet, Del Rey/Random House)
  • Young adult author Marie Lamba (What I Meant…, Random House)
  • Contemporary novelist Kelly Simmons (Standing Still, Washington Square Press/Simon and Schuster)
  • Debut crime novelist Dennis Tafoya (Dope Thief, St. Martin’s)
  • Historical author Keith Strunk (Prallsville Mills and Stockton, Arcadia Publishing Images of America Series)
  • Mystery author Merry Jones (The Borrowed and Blue Murders, Minotaur Books)
  • Mystery author Jon McGoran who writes as D.H. Dublin (Freezer Burn, Berkley Books),
  • Social media marketing consultant, writer and lecturer Don Lafferty.

This event takes place on Saturday, December 5th from noon to 2 PM, and is free and open to the public. For more information, or to reserve a copy of an author’s book before the event, call Wellington Square Bookshop at 610-458-1144. (See also 12/12)

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inappropriate_HTBI3thumb Daniel Nester signs his humorous collection of nonfiction, How to Be Inappropriate. (See also 12/4)

PS (Philadelphia Stories) Reads series featuring local authors Helen W. Mallon, Tim Zatzariny, Christine Weiser and Carla Spataro reading and talking about the writing process.

12/6/09

Marie Lamba by Pat Achilles 200h

Doylestown’s own hometown author Marie Lamba, signs her Random House young adult (YA) novel What I Meant…at Doylestown Bookshop — the very same bookstore she writes about in her book (along with many other sites that will be familiar to local residents.). What I Meant… is a YA about a 15-year-old Central Bucks West girl, the guy she’s crazy about (who works at the County Theater), her Indian dad, her American mom and her extremely evil aunt. The book is a “clean” novel that  tackles some serious issues, such as broken friendships, betrayal and injustice, but also contains “tons of drama and laughs” and embarrassing moments, says author Lamba.

This event takes place Sunday, December 6th, from noon to 3 PM.

For more information about What I Meant… which Doylestown Bookshop has billed “The Perfect Gift for a Doylestown Teen” — visit www.marielamba.com. If you would like to reserve a copy of Lamba’s novel prior to Lamba’s signing (or if you cannot attend)  contact the Doylestown Bookshop at 215-230-7610.

Editor’s note: Marie Lamba, along with the Philly Liars Club authors above, are, like Local LIT,  passionate supporters of local independent bookstores — a reason to be passionate about them, in this editor’s opinion.  Lamba recently said:

I want to remind everyone to think of independent stores like the Doylestown Bookshop first for any of your holiday shopping.  Indies are what make Doylestown such a special place to live in and to write about, so we have to support them if we want Doylestown to continue to be the amazing town that it is.

12/8/09

Deborah Willis

imaginingphillybookcover Scott G. Knowles, editor and contributor to the new Temple University Press book, Imagining Philadelphia, talks about former Planning Commission director Edmund Bacon and the past and possible future visions for our city.

Michael Medved discusses and signs The 5 Big Lies About American Business.

12/09/09

Fancy_Nancy_Splendiferous_Christmas-61594 Famous “Fancy Nancy” author Jane O’Connor makes an in-person appearance at Borders-Newark to sign Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas.

51T0zPlhwbL._SL75_ Lise Funderburg signs her memoir Pig Candy: Taking my Father South, Taking My Father Home.

12/10/09

memoir ben-yagoda An Evening with Ben Yagoda and Friends/ Book Launch & Celebration of Memoir —Nationally known Philadelphia author Ben Yagoda celebrates and locally launches his just-published new title, Memoir: A History, via a talk and reading which includes several local authors/colleagues/friends reading short passages from their own favorite memoirs. Readers include Rick Valelly,Rachel Pastan, Clare Coleman, Martha HodesDon Lessem, and Kathye Fetsko Petrie (full disclosure: me/your Local LIT editor).

This event takes place December 10th at 7:30 PM at the Swarthmore Public Library, 121 Park Ave., Swarthmore, PA Registration is requested but not required. Call Sharon Ford at 610.543.0436.

Ben Yagoda is a journalism professor in the English Department at the University of Delaware. His previous books include Will Rogers: A Biography, When You Catch an Adjective, Kill It, The Sound on the Page, The Art of Fact, and About Town: The New Yorker and the World It Made. He has also published numerous articles and essays for major publications, including The New York Times Book Review, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Slate and Salon. Yagoda blogs at www.benyagoda.com.

Terry Teachout

Lisa Barretta signs her new book, The Street-Smart Psychic’s Guide to Getting the Good Reading.

12/11/09

DEADLINE for Philadelphia City Paper’s 24th Annual Writing Contest (12/11/2009, 5 PM). See 12/4/entry above. READ FULL STORY.

perfectsquarebookcover perfectsquareBW

Author Nancy Heinzen signs The Perfect Square: A History of Rittenhouse Square, the first full-length history of this famous location in Philly. The book is published by Temple University PressREAD A REVIEW.

scars on the face of god cover C. G. Bauer Local author C. G. (Chris) Bauerwill talk about his work and sign copies of his Philadelphia-based debut horror novel Scars on the Face of God: The Devil’s Bible at the Doylestown Bookshop starting at 7 PM. Bauer’s book is inspired by St. Vincent’s Home, an iconic orphanage in the Tacony section of Philadelphia. For more information about Scars on the Face of God visitwww.cgbauer.net. If you would like to reserve a copy of Bauer’s novel before the signing, contact the Doylestown Bookshop at 215-230-7610. Photo: Jillian Bauer.(see also 12/12)

12/12/09

G. (Chris) Bauer talks about and signs Scars on the Face of God: The Devil’s Bible at 3 PM at Between Books in Claymont DE. (see also 12/11).

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Several Philly Liars Club authors take turns signing at Farley’s Bookshop on Main Street in New Hope, PA, and Canterbury Tales Forever in Peddler’s Village, Lahaska. Schedules are as follows:

At Farley’s:

  • 11 AM-1 PM— Kelly Simmons and Gregory Frost
  • 1-3 PM— Merry Jones and Jonathan Maberry
  • 3-5 PM— Keith Strunk, L. A. Banks and Marie Lamba
  • 5-7 PM — Don Lafferty and Dennis Tafoya

At Canterbury Tales:

  • 11 AM-1 PM— Keith Strunk and Marie Lamba
  • 1-3 PM— Don Lafferty, L. A. Banks and Dennis Tafoya
  • 3-5 PM— Kelly Simmons and Gregory Frost
  • 5-7 PM— Merry Jones and Jonathan Maberry

Books by all of the authors will be on sale at both locations throughout the day, and for every three Philly Liars Clubbooks purchased, customers will get a free Philly Liars Club book bag.

Philly Liars Club authors have deep ties to the local area. In addition to their living nearby, many of their books also take place in the vicinity. Lamba’s novel, What I Meant… takes place in Doylestown, as does Tafoya’s Dope Thief. Strunk’s Prallsville Mills and Stockton taps into the history of the river town, and Jones’ The Borrowed and Blue Murders, as well as the other mysteries in her series, all take place in Philadelphia.

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12/15/09

julie-powell-ap-photolittle-brown-and-company.jpg Julie Powell, author of Julie and Julia, talks about her new book, Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat and Obsession.

Jonathan Safron Foer by Kathye Fetsko Petrie Eating AnimalsJonathan Safran Foer, best-selling author of the novels Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, returns to Philadelphia after his recent signing at the Free Library to read and sign his new non-fiction book, Eating Animals, at the Penn Bookstore. Photo by Kathye Fetsko Petrie

12/15/09

Sports journalist Mike Sielski, author of Fading Echoes: A True Story of Rivalry and Brotherhood from the Football Field to the Fields of Honor, signs at Doylestown Bookshop a 6 PM.

beyondmeasure525w

Archive for November 2009

firstpersonarts09-logo.jpg

11/3/09 to 11/8/09

8th Annual First Person Arts Festival Among the many events offered over five days is a discussion of narrative journalism with internationally best-selling Philadelphia author Mark Bowden; a discussion on writing memoir with acclaimed Philadelphia authors Ben Yagoda and Rachel Simon along with best-selling author A. J. Jacobs and graphic-memoir author Laurie Sandell; a memoir-writing workshop with Philadelphia author August Tarrier and others; and a discussion of the role animals play in our lives by nationally known “Sneaky Pie” author Rita Mae Brown, who has just penned a memoir called Animal Magnetism. Most events take place at the Painted Bride Art Center.

STORY AND MORE INFO

See list of all programs and prices.

11/3/09

David Sax

John Grogan, former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and best-selling author of Marley and Me, talks about and signs copies of the paperback version of Longest Trip Home, a memoir of life before Marley.

11/5/09

David Plouffe

detectives-dont-wear-seatbelts-cover.jpg

Real-life Philadelphia private investigator Cici McNair signs her memoir about the PI life.

11/6/09

Al Gore

TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION and 18th ANNUAL CELEBRATION FOR LOCALCHILDREN’S AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS at Children’s Book World in Haverford.  8 to 9 PM.  Come meet and buy autographed books from over a dozen authors and illustrators who live in our area including Ellen Abbott, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallenne, Gene Barretta, Josh Berk, Brian Biggs, Jen Bryant, Darlene Friedman, Ponder Goembel, Adele Greenspun, Vivian Grey, Lee Harper, Jennifer Hubbard, Joe Kulka, Marie Lamba, Bob McLeod,Elisabeth Mosier, Donna Jo Napoli, Lisa Papp, Robert Papp, Kathye Petrie, Wendy Pfeffer, Matt Phelan, Deborah K. Ray, Mark Rogalski, Roger Roth, Charles Santore, Judy Schachner, Robyn Schneider, Jordan Sonnenblick, Eileen Spinelli, Jerry Spinelli, Homa Sabet Tavangar, Nancy Viau, David Wiesner, Eric Wight and more!

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Maxine Hong Kingston delivers the keynote speech at the 2009 Montgomery County Community College Writer’s Conference.

Jim Zervanos reads his novel, Love Park, at Arcadia University.

11/7/09

Jerry and Eileen Spinelli at Doylestown Bookshop.

11/9/09

George Saunders

Victor Navasky, Publisher Emeritus of The Nation magazine

11/10/09

Jonathan Safran Foer, award-winning wunderkind author of the novels Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, visits the Free Library of Philadelphia to talk about his latest book, the non-fiction title Eating Animals.

Related post:‘Eating Animals’ by Jonathan Safran Foer: Are you brave enough to read this?

Jim Zervanos reads his novel, Love Park, at Haverford Library.

11/12/09

Lydia Davis

Jonathan Lethem

Rachel Simon at Big Blue Marble Bookstore.

Jim Zervanos reads Love Park at the University of Pennsylvania bookstore.

11/13/09

A Friend of the Family reading with Lauren Grodstein at Big Blue Marble Bookstore.

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Newbery author Kate DiCamillo signs her new children’s novel, The Magicians’s Elephant, at Children’s Book World in Haverford. READ Philadelphia Literary Scene post.

11/14/09

Kate DiCamillo at Free Library of Philadelphia, 2 PM. READ Philadelphia Literary Scene post.

11/15/09

Reading with Jim Zervanos, Ru Freeman, and Kelly Simmons at Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 3 PM.

Kate DiCamillo at the Borders-Newark, 2 PM. READ Philadelphia Literary Scene post.

11/17/09

Wharton professor Joel Waldfogel talks about the a economics of Christmas spending and gift giving, and signs copies of his new book,Scroogenomics.

edgarsawtelle200w.jpg say-youre-one-of-them.jpg

wroblewskiettlinger.jpg uwem-akpan-credit-comfort-upkong.jpg

David Wroblewski (above, left. Photo: Marion Ettlinger), author of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, a 2008 Oprah Book Club selection; with Uwem Akpan, (right; Photo: Comfort Upkong), author of the short story collection Say You’re One of Them, a 2009 Oprah Book Club selection.

11/18/09

Christopher Bram

60th National Book Awards Benefit Dinner and Ceremony in NYV and announcements of winners of 2009 National Book Award

11/19/09

George Packer

11/20/09

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Actress/singer and author JULIE ANDREWS and her daughter, educator and best-selling children’s book author EMMA WALTON HAMILTON will sign their latest joint children’s book, Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies, at 5 PM, Friday, November 20, 2009, at Children’s Book World in HaverfordREAD Philadelphia Literary Scene post.

Meet Best-selling Teen Authors Laurie Halse Anderson, Lauren Myracle, and Jay Asher

11/21/09

skippyjon-jones-lost-in-spice-cover.jpgJudy Schachner signs her #1 New York Times bestselling Skippyjon Jones title, Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice at  Barnes & Noble-Exton. See also 11/22, 12/4 and 12/5.Jim Zervanos signs his book, Love Park, at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia,  10 AM – 4 PM.

11/22/09

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New York Times #1 bestselling author/illustrator Judy Schachner signs her newest Skippyjon Jones title, Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice, at Barnes & Noble-Christiana, DE. See also 11/21, 12/4 and 12/5.

11/23/09

Filmmaker Ken Burns.

11/24/09

Adam Gopnik

Lisa Scottoline

11/25/09

Lisa Scottoline

11/27/09

Lisa Scottoline

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HOME  FOR THE HOLIDAYS: FIVE BUCKS COUNTY AUTHORS SIGN THEIR BOOKS at Doylestown Bookshop. Buy signed and personalized books for holiday gifts at this local, independent bookstore.  Local authors participating in this event, and their book titles, are Mary Fran Bontempo with Everyday Adventures, or as my Husband Says, Lies, Lies, Lies and More Lies (humor); Sandra Carey Cody (By Whose Hand (mystery series); Carmen Ferreiro EstebanTwo Moon Princess (Young Adult Fiction); Chrysa Smith The Adventures of the Poodle PosseeBooks 1 and 2 (Children’s Fiction Series); and Suzanne ZoglioCreate a Life that Tickles Your Soul: Finding Peace, Passion and Purpose (Self-Help).

11/28/09

Lisa Scottoline

11/29/09

Lisa Scottoline

11/30/09

Lisa Scottoline

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Archive for October 2009

October 2009

 

 


10/1/09

Karen Armstrong

Glenn Beck 

Eileen FlanaganThe Wisdom to Know the Difference reading and book release party at Big Blue Marble Bookstore.  



10/2/09

Lou Manfredo signs Rizzo’s War. 


10/3/09

The 7h Annual Collingswood Book Festivalmasthead-7th.jpg


HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY TO CHILDRENS BOOK WORLD in Haverford.  Attend the celebration from 11 to 3 PM.

10/4/09

swarthmore-borough-cover.jpgBook Signing & Open House for the new book Swarthmore Borough, Swarthmore College, McCabe Library Exhibition Space, 2-4 PM


10/5/09

Cesar Millan


10/6/09

Neil Sheehan

 

Rabih Alameddine

 

University of Pennsylvania professors Drs. Ira Harkavy and Frank Johnston discuss The Obesity Culture: Strategies for Change.

 

WORTH THE TRIP: NYC — Remembering the Remarkable Frank McCourt: An Evening of Reminiscence, Music, Poetry, and Laughter5 PM, Symphony Space, 5 PM, Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY. Free. Some tickets for the general public will be available on the day of the event. They will be distributed at the Symphony Space Box Office between 3 and 5 pm. The event will also will be streamed on symphonyspace.org.


10/7/09

Douglas Hofstadter, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, and College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science at Indiana University, talks about “The Deep Interconnectedness of Human Souls.” Penn Humanities Forum.



10/8/09

Max Cleland

 

Sports columnist, author and Philadelphia resident, Mike Sielski discusses and signs his new book, Fading Echoes:A true story of rivalry and brotherhood from the football field to the fileds of honor.


PS Reads Series: PS Books Authors Read at Chester County Books & Music.


10/9/09

No events found.



10/10/09

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DK Publishing’s LEGO Star Wars: Visual Dictionary launch event.


10/11/09

No events found.


10/12/09

No events found 



10/13/09

Kay R. Jamison


10/14/09

David Crystal lectures on the past and future of the English language.


10/15/09

Steve Poses


10/16/09

No events found.


10/17/09

 

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Philadelphia Stories’ PUSH TO PUBLISH 2009 Workshop: Strategies and Techniques to Get Your Work in Print and Online, with Keynote Speaker Lise Funderburg.

READ MORE.

 

Solomon Jones at Borders Express-Willow Grove Mall, 2500 Moreland Rd., 1 PM – 3 PM. More info:

 215.659.5399.

 

 

 

 


10/18/09

Philadelphia Inquirer architectural critic Inga Saffron discusses the changing Philadelphia skyline.


10/19/09

Eoin Colfer

Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson

 

Susanna Morikawa and Patricia O’Donnell sign their new book about Swarthmore Borough at Swarthmore Borough Hall and Library Building, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, 7 PM.

10/20/09

Haleh Esfandiari

 

 

10/21/09

No events found.


10/22/09

Richard Dawkins

10/23/09

Jeannette Walls

10/24/09

No events found.

10/25/09

No events found.

10/26/09

No events found.

10/27/09

Melvin Van Peeples


10/28/09

Sherman Alexie


10/29/09

Gordon Wood

 

Marilyn Nelson


10/30/09

No events found.

10/31/09

No events found. 

 .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     . 

 

Archive for September 2009

 

September 2009

 

9/1/09 

Local author William Lasher reads from his latest novel, Blood and Bone.

 

 

9/3/09 

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Former Pennsylvania governor and first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge talks about and signs his prescriptive book and memoir, The Test of Our Times: America under Siege…and How We Can Be Safe Again? (also see September 14 & 24).

 

 

University of Pennsylvania alum and Young Adult-novelist Julie Kraut gives a preview reading of her novel, Slept Away.

 

 

 

Poet Linh Dinh.

9/8/09

 

Victor LaValle

 

9/10/09

 

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Nicholson Baker, author of the bestselling novels Vox and Mezzanine and the award-winning non fiction title Doublefold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper, talks about and signs The Anthologist, his new novel which is said to reveal “the importance of poetry in everyday life.”

 

 

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Lisa Tucker, author of Shout Down the Moon and The Song Reader, talks about and signs her newest novel, The Promised World.

 

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Solomon Jones at Borders Express, Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Non to 2 PM. More info: 215.557.8443. See also October 17.

 

 

9/12/09

 

 

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David Allen Sibley in Doylestown. Also see 9/13.

 

 

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Michael Davis signs Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street.

9/13/09

 

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David Allen Sibley at the Free Library of Philadelphia. See also 9/12.

 

 

 

 

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Local author Sara Shephard introduces Killer, her latest title in her popular teen series, “Pretty Little Liars.”

 

 

Liz Rosenberg reads from her novel, Home Repair.

9/14/09

Former Pennsylvania governor and first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge speaks at the National Constitution Center. Free. See also 9/24.

 


9/15/09

 

Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review, will be interviewed by Philadelphia Inquirer book critic Carlin Romano.

 

 

9/16/09

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 Author Evan Schwartz recounts the background of the Wizard of Oz and signs Finding Oz.

9/17/09

 

Jeffrey Ross

 

A Total Eclipse reading with Aletta Henry at Big Blue Marble Bookstore.

 

 

9/18/09

 

 

World War II Radio Heroes:Letters of Compassion reading with Lisa Spahr at Big Blue Marble Bookstore.

 

9/22/09 

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Think Globally, Read Locally Event featuring six Philadelphia-area authors:

 • Jim Zervanos reads from his set-in-Philadelphia novel, Love Park.

 • Lise Funderburg reads from her memoir Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home. 

 • Rachel Pastan reads from her novel, Lady of the Snakes

 • Ru Freeman reads from her set-in-Sri Lanka novel A Disobedient Girl.

 • Cynthia Reeves reads from Badlands.

 • Elizabeth Mosier reads from My Life as a Girl.

 

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Ralph Nader /PHOTO of Ralph Nader from Ragesoss

 

 

Lorrie Moore (see also 9/23)

 

Sarah Stolfa discusses and signs The Regulars, a book of photographic portraits of patrons of the downtown Philadelphia bar, McGlinchey’s.

 

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 Photo © by Fred Viebahn. Copied, with permission, from Rita Dove’s homepage www.people.virginia.edu/~rfd4b 

 Pulitzer-prize winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove.

9/23/09

 

 

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Marjane Satrapi

 

 

 

 

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Lorrie Moore  (see also 9/22)

 

9/24/09

 

Howard Dean

 

 

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James Ellroy

 

 

Tom Ridgeformer Pennsylvania governor and first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, talks about and signs his memoir, The Test of Our Times (also see September 6). 

 

 

 

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rita Dove.

Photo © by Fred Viebahn. Copied, with permission,

from Rita Dove’s homepage www.people.virginia.edu/~rfd4b 

9/25/09 

 

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E. Lynn Harris Tribute Tour, hosted by Philadelphia novelist Brenda L. Thomas and featuring readings from the late E. Lynn Harris’ new novel,Mama Dearest.

9/29/09 

 

 

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Richard Russo

 

 

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Pete Dexter

 

9/30/09

 

Banned Books Reading

 

Susan Shapiro


A LUNCH DISCUSSION WITH PETE DEXTER

Poetry reading by  award-winning former U.S. poet laureate Daniel Hoffman

Free launch party for Best of Philadelphia Stories Anthology: Volume 2.  

Pulitzer-prize winning historian James McPherson delivers the inaugural lecture in The Lore Kephart ‘86 Distinguished Historians Lecture Series at Villanova University. READ STORY 

 

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.

Summer 2009

June – August 2009

Happy summer reading season! — KFP

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NOTE TO READERS: Local LIT is on summer hiatus

and will return in September with Fall 2009 events

To keep up with literary events during the summer please visit

Kathye Petrie’s Philadelphia Literary Scene column on Examiner.com

 Note that the resource section of Local LIT – i.e., the links on the right – remain live and usable over the summer.

MAY 2009

 

05/01/09
 
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Local author  Jim Zervanos celebrates the official May 1 release of his new novel, Love Park, by signing the book from noon to 2 PM at the Summer in Love Concert series in Love Park in Philadelphia (16th and JFK Parkway) , and again at 3 PM at the Reading Terminal Market.  (also see May 21)
 
 
 
05/05/09
Colson Whitehead
 
 
 
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University of Pennsylvania professor and historian THOMAS CHILDERS talks about and signs his new book, Soldier from the War Returning: The Greatest Generation’s Troubled Homecoming from World War II.

05/08/09 Fight ClubLullaby and Choke author  Chuck Palahniuk.

 
 
05/09/09 
Poet Nikki Giovanni
 
 
 
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Philadelphia Stories Spring Fling and Book Launch Party celebrating the publication of The Singular Exploits of Wonder Mom and Party Girl by Marc Schuster. Tickets required. This event takes place at the American Swedish Historical Museum.
 
05/11/09
 
Philadelphia poet G. Emil Reutter
 
05/13/09 
 
Eva Hoffman, author of Lost in Translation, delivers a talk about her new novel, Appassionata, a rumination on the ramifications of art. 
 
05/14/09
 
Award-winning mystery writer Elmore Leonard. 
 
Philadelphia author Mary Beth Keane discusses and signs her debut novel,The Walking People
 
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Medium James Van Praagh introduces his new book, Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life at 7 PM at Barnes & Noble-Exton.
 
 
 
05/15/09
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Philadelphia author Lise Funderberg visits the Doylestown Bookshop to talk about her new memoir, Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home.
 
 
05/16/09 
 
whatimeant.jpg  marielamba.jpg  Marie Lamba signs copies of her young adult novel, What I Meant, at the University of Pennsylvania bookstore at 2 PM. The novel is set in Philadelphia and Doylestown.

 

 

 

Novelist and University of Pennsylvania graduate Rachel Skerritt discusses her newest novel, When the Lights Go Down, at 3:30 PM in the University of Pennsylvania bookstore. 

 

 

05/19/09

 

Simon Schama

 

 

05/20/09

 

Local “hip hop intellectual” Michael Eric Dyson

 

 

05/20/09 to 05/23/09

25th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF BLACK WRITING FESTIVAL 

and Outdoor Book Festival.

 

 

05/21/09

 

PHILLY LIAR’S CLUB EVENT FEATURING LOCAL AUTHORS JONATHAN MABERRY, KELLY SIMMONS, DENNIS TAFOYA, & D.H. DUBLIN at Chester County Books and Music Company. 

 

 

Local author  Jim Zervanos talks about his novel Love Park at Head House Books.

 

 

05/23/09

 

AN EVENING OF INTERNATIONAL MYSTERY with multiple award-winning authors CARA BLACK and GARRY DISHER at Chester County Books and Music Company.  

 

 

 

 

 

05/26/09

Peony in Love and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan author Lisa See.

05/28/09

Novelist Luis Alberto Urrea 

April 2009

April 2009

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If we are not supposed to dance . . . why all this music? – Gregory Orr

  


04/01/09  thomas-paine-cover.jpeg  

Thomas Paine Part 4: The Forgotten Founding Father: A lecture on Paine in Europe and The Rights of Man, Age of Reason, and Agrarian Reform presented by Jack Fruchtman Jr., author of Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom.

 

04/02/09 

Poet and novelist (and husband of author Zadie Smith) Nick Laird.  Part of the 11th Annual Villanova Literary Festival.       

 

 

 4/03/09 

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Marathon reading of Kurt Vonnegut’sSlaughterhouse Five. 

 

 ”A Little Spring Madness!” poetry reading by the Mad Poets Society, featuring poets Ken PoboRobert Quezado-Dardon and Margaret Robinson, and musicians Johnny Never, Tom Mullian, Joe Fanning, and flutist Kirsten Erwin. Starts 7 PM in the Mansion Parlor in Media Borough Hall, 3rd & Jackson Streets, Media, PA.

 

04/05/09 

Children’s Book Authors Panel Discussion at Bryn Mawr College featuring David WiesnerPaul AcamporaJen BryantElizabeth MosierCatherine Murdock andAlexander Stadler.

 

13th Annual POETRY INK: 100 POETS READING in Philly starting at 1 PM. Moonstone Arts Center, 10A S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA. Contact: 215-735-9600.

 

04/06/09 

Novelist Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish (adapted into the Tim Burton movie)The Watermelon KingRay in Reverse, and, most recently, Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician.  

 

04/07/09  

JENNIFER WEINER talks about Certain Girls at Head House Books.

 

04/08/09 

Poet Marilyn Hacker

 

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RED CARPET BOOK LAUNCH PARTY #2 for Payback, the newest novel by  Essence bestselling author and Philadelphia Daily News columnist Solomon Jones.  Payback is a sequel to his previous novel, C.R.E.A.M. Friday, April 10th, 6:30 – 10 PM, Point of Destination Cafe, 6500 Greene St., Philadelphia. More info and RSVP HERE.

 

 

04/11/09  

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WALTER MOSLEY discusses and signs his new book, The Long Fall, at Barnes & Noble in Princeton, NJ. 

04/14/09 

Local favorite LISA SCOTTOLINE. 

 Tobias Wolff at Arcadia University. 

 

04/15/09 

Tobias Wolff at Bryn Mawr College

anderson_cooper.jpg  An evening with CNN newsman ANDERSON COOPER at the University of Delaware. 

 Local author Lise Funderberg talks about her new memoir, Pig Candy

er 

04/16/09 

Award-winning poet Lamont B. Steptoe, poetry reading and book signing, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County, 416 Franklin Street, Reading, 6 PM. Lamont Steptoe is the recipient of a 2006 Pew Fellowship in the Arts in Poetry, and the American Book Award in 2005 for his book, A Long Movie of Shadows. Call to reserve: 610-370-2629.  

 

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Amiri Baraka and Greg Tate in Conversation at Labyrinth Books in Princeton, NJ. The two will be discussing Baraka’s new book Digging: The Afro-American Soul of American Classical Music.

 

 04/18/09 

Local history author Bruce Mowday talks about and signs Jailing the Johnstown Gang.

Susan Orlean discusses and signs her children’s book, Lazy Little Loafers, at Head House Books

 

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The Germantown Poetry Festival featuring Sonia SanchezTrapeta Masonand the Twin Poets.

 

 

 04/18/0904/19/09 

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Philadelphia Free Library Book Festival – An exciting two-day amalgamation of street fair, book sales, publishers’ tents and author talks & signings . Billed as “a burst of books, music, and inspiration on the Parkway,” this event, well worth paying admission for, is free to the public. The author line-up includes VICKIE MYRON, author of the current national bestseller, Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World;  acclaimed novelist JANE HAMILTON, the PEN/Faulkner award-winning author of The Book of Ruth and the New York Times bestseller A Map of the World; JOYCE CAROL OATES with a new collection of short stories; our own local, illustrious Caldecott-Award-winning author/illustrator, DAVID WEISNER (Tuesday, The Three Pigs, Flotsam);  Philadelphia-born JOE QUEENAN talking about and signing Closing Time, his new memoir of growing up Irish-Catholic in Philly; Local writer JEN BRYANT, author of the children’s picture book biography A River of Words: the story of William Carlos Williams; and Philadelphians ANDREA J. BUCHANAN and MIRIAM PESKOWITZ,  co-authors of the internationally bestselling The Daring Book for Girls and the just published sequel,The Double-Daring Book for Girlsand many more.

See full line-up at the Free Library Festival website.

 

Read more on Kathye’s blog.  

 

Read more on Examiner.com (Philadelphia Literary Scene column by Kathye Petrie)

 

 

 

 

GERMANTOWN POETRY FESTIVAL featuring featuring Sonia Sanchez, Trapeta Mason, The Twin Poets and Yellow Rage.

 

04/21/09

Internationally acclaimed poet Adam Zagajewski.  Part of the 11th Annual Villanova Literary Festival. 

 

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Retired tennis great and 2008 “Dancing With the Stars” alum MONICA SELES signs her new book, Getting a Grip, at Barnes & Noble in Princeton, NJ.  

Fiction writer James Morrow at Temple University, Center City campus. 

 

 04/24/09

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OPENING DAY for the Philadelphia Stories ONLINE AUCTION Fundraiser. 

 

 04/27/09

Best-selling romance novelist Mariah Stewart. 

 

04/27/09 & 04/28/09

 

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  Mary Gordon

 

04/28/09  

Food writer Ruth Reichl

 

04/29/09 

Poet Cornelius Eady 

 

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Marisa de los Santos  signs her latest book, Belong to Me. 

04/30/09  

Poet Linda Pastan

 

   pocket_logo-1.gif  2nd National POEM IN YOUR POCKET Day

 

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Journalist and author Gwen Ifill talks about her book, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. 

 

MARCH 2009

 03/04/09

Poet Mary Jo Salter 

 

3/18/09 

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New Yorker writer and cultural critic Lawrence Weschler, author Everything that Rises: A Book of Convergences, talks about “a world melting into thin air,” as we move more and more from “the substantive to the virtual.” Part of The Penn Humanities Forum, Spring 2009.

3/24/09

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Paul Muldoon, Pulitzer-prize winning Irish poet, Rackett rock band guitarist, and current poetry editor of The New Yorker. The Times Literay Supplement called Muldoon “the most significant English-language poet born since the second World War.”

Novelist and short story writer Yiyun Li. Part of the 11th Annual Villanova Literary Festival. CANCELLED

 

Australian-born writer, scholar, journalist and well-known feminist Germaine Greer. 

 

 

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Lise Funderburg, whose most recent book Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home: A Memoiris the featured guest at a special “Dine and Sign”event at the Geechee Girl Rice Cafe on Germantown Avenue.  Tickets and reservations required.

 

3/26/09  

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Highly acclaimed, award-winning literary novelist JAYNE ANNE PHILLIPS speaks about her latest work, Lark and Termite, at Labyrinth Books in Princeton.NJ.

 03/30/09

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Nobel Peace Price-winning author Elie Wiesel talks about A Mad Desire to Dance. SOLD OUT

03/30/09 & 03/31/09

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 Joan Didion