Library Journal reviews LOVE (and new upcoming events)

I am grateful today for the lovely Library Journal review of LOVE: A Philadelphia Affair, which so aptly captures the spirit of the book (and our city). Thanks to Gary Kramer for sending it my way.

Kephart, Beth. Love: A Philadelphia Affair. Temple Univ. 2015. 140p. photos. ISBN 9781439913154. $24.50. TRAV
philadelphia101615The tourism promotion motto of the Philadelphia region is “the place that loves you back.” This aptly named collection based on Philadelphia Inquirer columns is a resident’s love song to the city and its suburbs. Kephart has written on the region before in Flow, her wonderful book on Philadelphia’s iconic Schuykill River. Here she waxes poetic about some of the city’s famous landmarks, such as Reading Terminal Market and 30th Street Station. The author also conjures up the less-well-known Woodlands Cemetery and the suburb of Glenside. She particularizes places on specific dates with specific sunlight. This isn’t a tourist’s book in the sense that a visitor is going to find practical information about where to go. Rather it is an evocation of what Philadelphia is like through the pen of a gifted writer. So the native will find memories stirred and the tourist will be stimulated to visit. It is also somewhat autobiographical. For example, the author writes about Locust Walk at the heart of the University of Pennsylvania based on her college years.

Verdict Kephart has written in many genres, from young adult fiction to poetry; here she adds another excellent nonfiction book for the general reader. Recommended.—David Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia

I share this review along with a list of upcoming events. No two are the same. Most are open to the public. 

This coming Tuesday night, for example, I'll be at Radnor Memorial Library sharing dozens of photographs of Devon, Wayne, Valley Forge National Park, Ardmore, and the surrounding areas—and talking about the passions that have erupted in me (gardening, dance, pottery, horses), thanks to my living right here. 

Next Saturday I'll be at BookFest @ Bank Street in NYC, talking about narrative risk on a glorious panel moderated by Kirkus's Vicky Smith. I'll be back here on Sunday, to sign books at Main Point Books in Bryn Mawr.

On November 5, I'll be at the Ambler Theater, reflecting on Philadelphia as an artistic canvas, as part of the Upper Dublin/Wissahickon Valley Public Library's second-annual "Let's Discuss It" program. 

On November 7, I'll be down on the Penn campus, interviewing Buzz Bissinger, for Penn's Homecoming. 

And then a memoir workshop at Book Garden in Frenchtown, NJ, talks in an area school, the November Book Club Happy Hour in Harleysville (sign up soon), and a series of in-store signings to close out the year.

I hope to see you along the way.

October 20, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Radnor Memorial Library
A Celebration of One Thing Stolen
and Love: A Philadelphia Affair
114 W. Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
Details here.
(open to public)

October 21, 2015
The Cultural Series at Kennedy House
1901 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
(private event)

October 24, 2015
Panelist
BookFest @ Bank Street
Bank Street College of Education
610 West 112th Street
New York, NY 
Details here.
(registration required)

October 25, 2015, 4 p.m.
Love: A Philadelphia Affair signing
Main Point Books
1041 W. Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA
(open to public)

November 1, 2015, 2:00 PM
LOVE and FLOW
Women for Greater Philadelphia
Laurel Hill Mansion
Philadelphia, PA
(private event)

November 5, 2015, 7:30 PM
LOVE is the Upper Dublin/Wissahickon Valley Library 
Let's Discuss It Pick. 
Ambler Theater. 
Details here.

November 7, 2015, 4 PM
Homecoming Weekend/Penn
Penn alum (and students), come join Kelly Writers House and me as we host Buzz Bissinger. Buzz and I will be talking about the art of teaching and about his new preface to his famed Friday Night Lights.Kelly Writers House | 3805 Locust Walk | Arts Café
RSVP: whhomecoming@writing.upenn.edu or call (215) 746-poem

November 15, 2015
Memoir Workshop
In-store reception
The Rat
Organized by The Book Garden
Frenchtown, NJ
Details here. (registration required)

November 16, 2015
LOVE, TRUTH, and GOING OVER
Frenchtown, NJ-area high school
(private events)

November 19, 2015, 7 PM
November Book Club Happy Hour
Harleysville Book Store
Harleysville, PA
Details here.
 
December 3, 2015, 7 PM
LOVE signing
Chester County Books
West Chester, PA
(open to public)

December 5, 2015, noon
LOVE signing
Barnes and Noble
Devon, PA
(open to public)

December 10, 2015, 12 - 2PM
Barnes & Noble signing
Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA

December 12, 2015, 2 PM
In-store signing
LOVE, etc.
Big Blue Marble Bookstore
551 Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, PA
Germantown, PA

March 1, 2016, 6:00 PM
Beltran Family Teaching Award Event
Featuring A.S. King, Margo Rabb, Rahna Reiko Rizzuto,
Penn students, and moi
Kelly Writers House
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
(open to public)

April 16, 2016
Little Flower Teen Writing Festival
Keynote Speaker
Little Flower Catholic High School for Teens
Philadelphia, PA

May 22, 2016
Open Book Memoir Retreat, with Daniel TordayWhitpain Farm
Blue Bell, PA
Details here.