World Book Night & Other Philly Area Bookish Events: April 22 - April 27

Tomorrow is World Book Night when thousands of volunteers across the country, including many here in the Delware Valley, go out and distribute books. Free books that are intended to get folks who might not otherwise pick up a book to give reading a try. The books selected for this year's event includes a lot of great reads, but my favorite is Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity, which if you haven't read it, is astonishing, heartbreaking and life affirming.

If you see a volunteer in action tomorrow, say thanks, or take the book he or she is offering.

I didn't get around to volunteering this year (analysis paralysis is a character flaw I have struggled with my entire life) so I'm making a contribution and vowing to get off my duff next year. I've added a widget on the bar at the right side of the blog so you can help out as well. Go on, you know you want to - it's a great way to celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday!

There's a lot of other great events around the region this week, including a chance to catch up with the author of one of last year's most discussed debuts, The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. , and a couple of chances to visit with the creator of some adorable penguins, Melissa Guion.


Tuesday, April 22

David Lubar | Wipeout of the Wireless Weenies: And Other Warped and Creepy Tales
Towne Book Center, 220 Plaza Drive, Suite B-3, Collegeville, PA 19426
6:00 pm

Enjoy a hot dog dinner to celebrate publication day for the newest title in this series of stories for middle grade readers. Thirty-three stories about clothes-eating bacteria, a zombie apocalypse, a monstrous butcher shop, and other frightening things. Includes notes on how the author got his ideas for these stories.

There is a $5 fee for signing of books not purchased at the event that is waived if you purchase the event title.

Marlo Thomas | It Ain't Over…Till It's Over: Reinventing Your Life—and Realizing Your Dreams—Any Time, at Any Age 
Free Library, Central Library
Free
7:30 pm


Wednesday, April 23

A.J. Mass | It's Hot in Here: Adventures in the Weird, Woolly World of Sports Mascots 
Chester County Book Company, 967 Paoli Pike, West Goshen Center, West Chester, PA
Free
7:00 pm


Thursday, April 24

Robin Kevles Necowitz | Go Take a Bath!: A Powerful Self-Care Approach to Extraordinary Parenting
Newtown Bookshop, 2835 S. Eagle Road, Newtown, PA
Free, but must call store to reserve a spot 215-968-2400
11:15 am

Melissa Guion | Baby Penguins Love Their Mama
Harleysville Books, 680 Main Street, Salford Sq. Shopping Ctr., Harleysville
Free

4:30 pm

James Howe | Also Known as Elvis! 
Children's Book World, 17 Haverford Station Rd., Haverford, PA
Free
7:00 pm

Adelle Waldman | The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.
Villanova University, Falvey Library Speakers Corner, Villanova, PA
Free
7:00 pm

The final event of the Villanova Literary Festival features an up and coming rockstar of literary fiction!

Kathryn Kopple | Little Velasquez with Evan Roskos | Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets and Kit Grindstaff | The Flame in the Mist
Main Point Books, 1041 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA
Free
7:00 pm

Amartya Sen | An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions
Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Library
$15 General Admission, $7 Students
7:30 pm


Friday, April 25

Melissa Guion | Baby Penguins Love Their Mama
Children's Book World, 17 Haverford Station Rd., Haverford, PA
Free
4:30 pm

Lori Clipner Hynson | SuperGal vs. God
Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901
Free
6:30 pm

Poetry Aloud and Alive. Featured reader: Warren Longmire
Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia
Free
7:15 pm


Saturday, April 26

Aaron Meshon | Tools Rule
Chester County Book Company, 967 Paoli Pike, West Goshen Center, West Chester, PA
Cost: Free
Time: 11:00 am

Dr. Marci Tilghman-Bryant | No Need to Run
Wellington Square Bookshop, 549 Wellington Square, Exton, PA
Free
12:00 - 2:00 pm

Julia 'Jules' Ordway | Goodbye, Jessie
Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901
Free
1:00 pm

The author, Julia "Jules" Ordway, is 12 years old and the daughter of Jules Thin Crust creators and owners John & Jan Ordway. Julia wrote the book entirely by herself and published it through Lulu's Self Publishing website. Proceeds from this event will benefit Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Goodbye Jesse is about a 12 year old girl who loses her best friend to cancer.  The book is based on the loss of Julia's dog, Jessie to cancer. 

David Lubar | Wipeout of the Wireless Weenies: And Other Warped and Creepy Tales
Let's Play Books, 379 Main Street, Emmaus, PA
2:00 pm

The book, purchased at Let's Play Books!, is your ticket to the signing (minimum of 1 book per immediate family). The book will be released on April 22. Email info@letsplaybooks.com to register/pre-order. 

Susan Abulhawa | My Voice Sought the Wind
Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia
Free
7:00 pm

Jim Donovan | Happy @ Work -- Book Launch!
Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901
Free
6:00 pm

Sunday, April 27

Joe Lamport | The Life and Times of Richard Musto
Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia
Free
3:00 pm

Chernoh Alpha M. Bah | Neocolonialism in West Africa
Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia
Free
4:00 pm


P.S. If you know of events or venues with regularly scheduled events that I've missed, please let me know in the comments or via email at abudner (at) comcast (dot) net.