Bookish Events in Philadelphia: October 18th – 24th
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.
For you high literary fiction types, on Tuesday, October 21, Marilynne Robinson of Housekeeping and Gilead fame returns to the Free Library to discuss her latest novel, Lila. 7:30 p.m, 19th and Vine.
On Wednesday, October 22, Crushes and Mountains:A night of queer readings, films and the prayers of Elisha Lim and Vivek Shraya comes to the Asian Arts Initiative. Elisha Lim presents their graphic novel 100 Crushes, arresting portraits are accompanied by heartfelt anecdotes about catholic convent girls, jealousy, suits and ties, and love. Vivek Shraya will read from his new illustrated novel She of the Mountains. Gonna be mind-blowing! 6:30 p.m., 1219 Vine St.
We know it's fall because the 215 Festival is back! This bawdy literary fest brings prose and poetry together to drink beer.
On Thursday, October 23, kick off the festival with a reading by the Philly Poet Laureates under the historic Shambles at Headhouse Square. Meet City of Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Soledad Alfaro-Allah AND Poet Laureate Frank Sherlock, plus a special announcement from the City's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. What could it be? Quill pens for us all? We can only hope! You'll find out next week in our Bookish Events. 7 p.m., 2nd and Pine Sts.
