4 Book Events That Aren’t Bruce Springsteen

We may not have scored tickets to the Boss’s book signing today, but there are other reasons to go to the library.

A beer garden is popping up on the Parkway Central Library's Skyline Terrace. Photo from Facebook

A beer garden is popping up on the Parkway Central Library’s Skyline Terrace. Photo from Facebook

Alton Brown: EveryDayCook @ Parkway Central Library | Thursday, September 29
The endearing chef/TV host Alton Brown will be at the Free Library to talk about his new cookbook, EveryDayCook. You know him from Iron Chef America, Cutthroat Kitchen, and his long-running show Good Eats, where he delved into the science and history behind the food.

Free Library Pop-up Beer Garden @ Parkway Central Library | Friday, September 30
Who says beer gardens are just for summer? The crew at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy and FCM Hospitality who put together the roving pop-up Parks on Tap are setting up a one-night-only rooftop beer garden at the library. The event is on the Skyline Terrace, with local craft brews and snacks for purchase, and sweeping city views.

Collingswood Book Festival @ Haddon Avenue | Saturday, October 1
Six blocks of Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey, will be lined with booksellers, authors, poets and other literary-minded folk for the 14th annual book fest. Several writers of children’s and young adult books will be there, along with Irene Levy Baker, author of the new 100 Things to Do in Philadelphia Before You Die; restaurateurs Steven Cook and Michael Solomonov with their James Beard Award–winning Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking; and, speaking of lauded eateries, Elizabeth LaBan, wife of restaurant critic Craig, with her first adult novel, The Restaurant Critic’s Wife.

Books Through Bars Fall Packathon @ A-Space | Saturday, October 1
Do something good with your Saturday. Books Through Bars is a volunteer-run program that sends books to prisons. At the Packathon, you’ll be reading letters from prisoners and picking out books that match their requests, plus wrapping books up to be mailed. It’s going on all day, but you can stop by and pitch in for just an hour or two.

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