Local Area Events

Friday, October 23rd

THE BROAD SET WRITING COLLECTIVE.  Join us for a diverse group reading from members of “The Broad Set” — including Dr. Mickey Hess, Glen Binger, Andrew Kaserpeen, Maria Gullo and Sam Ciero. Complimentary copies of Avalanche Tinder and Lo-Fidelity magazines will be made available, which feature post-modern flash fiction, contemporary poetry, experimental photography and prose, and more. The Random Tea Room, 713 N. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-925-2715.  6:00 PM, FREE

JEANNETTE WALLS.  The author of The Glass Castle (one of the best-selling memoirs of all time) returns to discuss her latest, Half Broke Horses — a novelized prequel to TGC, which recounts the story of the author’s horse-breaking, poker-playing, airplane-flying grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, who left home at age 15 and survived tornadoes, droughts, and the Great Depression. Free Library of Philadelphia (Central Library), 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-567-4341.  7:30 PM, $14 General Admission, $7 Students

Monday, October 26th

GAIL COLLINS.  The New York Times columnist will discuss her book, When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present, which explores how far women have come in the past 50 years. National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-409-6600.  6:30 PM, $7 - $15

LIVE AT THE WRITERS HOUSE.  “LIVE at the Writers House” is a long-standing collaboration between the Kelly Writers House and WXPN FM (88.5). Michaela Majoun hosts a one-hour broadcast of poetry, music, and other spoken-word art, along with one musical guest, all from our Arts Cafe onto the airwaves at WXPN. Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-573-WRIT.  7:00 PM, FREE

Tuesday, October 27th

STEPHEN J. DUBNER.  Freakonomics spent more than two years on the New York Times bestsellers list and sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. The book’s co-author joins us to discuss his follow-up, SuperFreakonomics, which delves into the hidden agendas of all kinds of individuals and the incentives that drive them. Free Library of Philadelphia (Central Library), 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-567-4341.  12:30 PM, $20 Auditorium, $10 Student, $7 Simulcas

DAVE BARRY & RIDLEY PEARSON.  Funnyman Barry and suspense writer Pearson will sign their new children’s book, Peter and the Sword of Mercy, the fourth volume in their take on the classic Peter Pan. Chester County Book and Music Co., 975 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA.  Phone: 610-696-1661.  5:00 PM, FREE

BOB GRENIER.  Over the past forty years, the poet has constantly pushed his craft into new frontiers of practice and utterance. A graduate of Harvard College and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and winner of two NEA Fellowships for poetry, Grenier will share his work and craft with us during this special visit. Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-573-WRIT.  6:00 PM, FREE

STORYSLAM.  Are you a storyteller? Then join us for StorySlam — a monthly, real-life-storytelling competition. Each month’s event has a theme and everyone in the audience is invited to share a personal story that relates to the theme. Stories must be 5 minutes or less in duration. Winners get a “Golden Ticket” — an invitation to participate in November’s Grand Slam. L’Etage, 6th & Bainbridge Sts., Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-592-0656.  7:30 PM, $8

MELVIN VAN PEEBLES.  One of the godfathers of modern black cinema and theater, the award-winning author and director discusses his new graphic novel, Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha — a tie-in to an eponymous new film — about a soul-searching world traveler looking for love. Free Library of Philadelphia (Central Library), 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-567-4341.  7:30 PM, FREE

Wednesday, October 28th

MICHAEL S. A. GRAZIANO.  The Princeton resident and author will be reading from and signing copies of his new modern fable, The Divine Farce. University of Pennsylvania Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-898-7595.  7:00 PM, FREE

SHERMAN ALEXIE.  The PEN/Hemingway Award- and National Book Award-winning author, often praised for his unsentimental portrayals of contemporary life among Native Americans, joins us to discuss his latest collection of short stories: War Dances. Free Library of Philadelphia (Central Library), 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-567-4341.  7:30 PM, $14 General Admission, $7 Students

SPOOKEASY.  Poetry, prose and anything goes! This Halloween version promises to be spooktacular. Come to perform or just to listen! Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-573-WRIT.  8:00 PM, FREE

Thursday, October 29th

WES SHANK.  The author will read from his book, From Silicone to the Silver Screen: Memoirs of the Blob, which details the history of the amorphous creature. You’re also invited to come dressed in a costume and get your picture taken with the gooey monster. Chester County Book and Music Co., 975 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA.  Phone: 610-696-1661.  5:00 PM, FREE

JUSTINE LARBALESTIER.  The author will read from her book, Liar, a psychological thriller that’s told from the point of view of a compulsive liar. Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-844-1870.  7:00 PM, FREE

DR. LISA ROSNER.  The author will read from The Anatomy Murders, a true account of the first serial killers to capture major media attention — William Burke and William Hare (perpetrators of the infamous “West Port murders” in 1827-28). University of Pennsylvania Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-898-7595.  7:00 PM, FREE

GORDON S. WOOD.  The Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Alva O. Way Professor of History Emeritus at Brown University, discusses his book Empire of Liberty, which offers a comprehensive account of the pivotal era between 1789 and 1815 when the United States took its first shaky steps as a new and growing nation. Free Library of Philadelphia (Central Library), 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Phone: 215-567-4341.  7:30 PM, $14 General Admission, $7 Students