Our Blog

Dear readers: this chilly Valentine’s weekend, you have literary events to help you put the “boo” in bookish, to show your love for social justice, or to laugh your exes away, as well as an interactive poetry sculpture exhibit and the return of Laser Life, a queer sci-fi reading series. 

From workshops to slams to romantic readings, there are some delightful literary events going on in the coming week. Don't miss out!

You know The Pigeon Presents: The Philadelphia Poetry Slam always brings one featured poet who blows your mind and inspires all the local competitors in the room. This month it’s Dasan Ahanu of North Carolina. Get there TODAY (February 6) at 7:00 p.m. for a free workshop with Dasan or show up at 8:30 to make sure you get a seat at the slam. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St, 19123

Do you know a teen who loves writing? On Saturday, February 7, get them to Philly Youth Poetry Movement’s free Saturday workshops at the Painted Bride (232 Vine Street) from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. This week: learn how to improvise a freestyle, and shake loose your creativity in the process.

On Sunday, February 8, see the city’s Poet Laureate Frank Sherlock read with Youth Poet Laureate Soledad Alfaro-Allah, as well as poet Chris McCreary at the ever-diverse and delightful Jubliant Thicket reading series. The Poet Laureate program names one adult and one teen poet to promote poetry across this great city. 5 p.m., Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd St.

Tuesday, February 11, comedian B.J. Novak (yeah, that’s Ryan from The Office) comes to the Free Library to read from his new book One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories. 7:30 p.m. Central Library, 19th and Vine.

Ready for Valentine’s weekend? Next Friday, February 13, mark your calendar for the Love Stinks reading at Molly’s Books and Records, 1010 S. 9th St. The reading lists “special broken-hearted guest host Ryan Eckes” for this poetry lineup, with doors at 7, poems at 8, and “libertine writhing/key party sometime after 10 if we are VERY fortunate.”

Have a very lucky weekend, all! 

It’s icy out there, so this week we’ve put together a list of bookish events that will get you moving, clapping, amen-ing, and maybe even feeling a little hot under the collar. 

Most curious bookadelphians! You well-read librariquarians! Your bookish events for the week include afrofuturism, prize money, and erotic nonagenarians. Yep, only Philadelphia could offer you all of those in one sentence. 

On Saturday, November 15, the Afrofuturist Affair presents Black Holographic Memory at the A-Space on Baltimore Ave.,  offering experimental workshop and reading experiences to take you time-traveling, Sun-Ra style. The afrofuturist literary movement in Philly is offering some of the most creative and liberatory education and inspiration in the city, so go check it out! 7-10 p.m.

The 15th of November is also the deadline for the Sandy Crimmins Poetry Prize, hosted by Philadelphia Stories magazine, with $1000 going to the first prize poem! Visit their website to learn more. 

This week, the 215 Festival is in full swing. We've highlighted a few events here, but make sure to visit their site to get the full event listing. And not on the calendar, but very important for fall: take a stroll and buy a book from your local bookseller! It's book-curling-tea-sipping weather and you need the correct provisions.

Tonight, Friday, October 24, hit up the Literary Mixtape: 215 Fest Edition: a late-night reading in which people DJ books instead of music, sharing their top hits. Starring Allen Crawford, Kristine Kennedy of Philly Beer Week, and Julia Factorial. 10 p.m., Society Hill Society at 400 S 2nd St.

One of the pleasures of writing the Bookish Event report is the tour through this city's amazing literary venues. This week we wend through a radical community center, a private club for writers, and a place called The Shambles! Enjoy the earlier dusks, reddening leaves, and the return of the 215 Festival, among other seasonal joys.

On Saturday, October 18, from 2-10 p.m., you can help spread the bookish love to incarcerated folks in the Mid Atlantic region at the Fundraiser for Books Through Bars at Lavaspace. Get a t-shirt screen-printed, hear performances by local authors and musicians, and give to an important cause.  4134 Lancaster Ave,

Have you ever been to the Pen and Pencil Club, secret Rittenhouse lair of Philly journalists? No? Ok, then go to the Pen and Pencil Poetry Reading on Sunday, October 19, featuring Philly faves Anne-Adele Wight, Ryan Eckes and Sidney Hunt Coffin. The oldest bartender in the world will serve you a mean cheesesteak if you ask nicely. 8 p.m., 1522 Latimer St.