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

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

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

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

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 Marriage) and 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

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

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

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.

1/08/10

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

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

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

Rebecca Goldstein talks about and signs 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction.

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

1/21/10

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

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 Wight, Lee Harper, Ponder Goembel, Michael 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.]

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

Amy Goodman

Lidia 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

12/3/09

Poet and memoirist Mary Karr.

12/4/09

————————————————————————————————————

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.

————————————————————————————————————

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

LIARS AT WELLINGTON SQUARE BOOKSHOP

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)

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

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

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

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

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

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

12/10/09

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 Hodes, Don 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.

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 Press. READ A REVIEW.

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).

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

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.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

12/15/09

Julie Powell, author of Julie and Julia, talks about her new book, Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat and Obsession.

Jonathan 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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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 Haverford. READ Philadelphia Literary Scene post.

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

11/21/09

Judy 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

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

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 Esteban, Two Moon Princess (Young Adult Fiction); Chrysa Smith,  The Adventures of the Poodle Possee, Books 1 and 2 (Children’s Fiction Series); and Suzanne Zoglio, Create 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

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

10/1/09

Karen Armstrong

Glenn Beck 

Eileen Flanagan, The 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 Festival

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

10/4/09

Book 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 Laughter. 5 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

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

 

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. 

 .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     . 

Happy summer reading season! — KFP

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.

 

 

   

   

 

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

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

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 

Marathon reading of Kurt Vonnegut’sSlaughterhouse Five. 

 ”A Little Spring Madness!” poetry reading by the Mad Poets Society, featuring poets Ken Pobo, Robert 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 Wiesner, Paul Acampora, Jen Bryant, Elizabeth Mosier, Catherine 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 King, Ray 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

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  

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

  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.  

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. 

The Germantown Poetry Festival featuring Sonia Sanchez, Trapeta Masonand the Twin Poets.

 04/18/09- 04/19/09 

Artwork ©2009 by Tim Gough

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 Girls; and 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. 

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

OPENING DAY for the Philadelphia Stories ONLINE AUCTION Fundraiser. 

 04/27/09

Best-selling romance novelist Mariah Stewart. 

04/27/09 & 04/28/09

  Mary Gordon

04/28/09  

Food writer Ruth Reichl

04/29/09 

Poet Cornelius Eady 

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

04/30/09  

Poet Linda Pastan

     2nd National POEM IN YOUR POCKET Day

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