BOOKISH: "Excuse my dust ... "

POSTED: Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Arts Books

Each week, Francesca Crozier-Fitzgerald puts together a rundown of book-centric events that’ll keep you “lit” like a winter furnace all week long.

[Tuesday]

➤ Write Your Own Epitaph Day
Many renowned men and women have made their last breath count by recording their own epitaphs. And, depending on the individual, these famous last words have ranged from hopeful and devastating to flat-out hilarious. For H.G. Wells, "Goddamn you all: I told you so," fit nicely. Given Charles Bukowski’s notorious honesty, “Don’t Try,” seems to suffice. And satirist Dorothy Parker (pictured) stayed polite until the end with “Excuse my Dust.” On National Write Your Own Epitaph Day, start practicing on your own epitaph before it's too late. And remember, “don’t try” too hard. All day, free, in a dark room with leftover Halloween spider webs.

[Wednesday]

➤ Behind Kitchen Doors
It looks like famed food critic Anthony Bourdain was just playing hard-to-get in 2007 when he told Philadelphia Weekly, “Honestly, I’ve never even bothered with Philly.” It seems to me it's a two-horse town: Starr and Perrier." Joined by 10 Arts’ Eric Ripert, he's giving Philly another stab at this discussion about what they've seen, heard and tasted behind closed kitchen doors. 7:30 p.m. $45-$55, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

[Thursday]

➤ “We tell ourselves stories in order to live…”
Her mastery of literary journalism has never been up for debate. In the ’60s and ’70s, Didion’s was the voice of honest and often cynical representation of the controversial political and social issues across the nation. Her accomplishments in this genre have remained unmatched for decades. Practicing blatant and honest description of other people’s experiences seems to have prepared Didion to reveal her own. In her most recent novel, Blue Nights, Didion seeks to understand her late daughter’s suffering and her personal battle with aging and mortality. Like all public lectures by Didion, this is not to be missed. 7:30 p.m., $15 or free simulcast, Free Library, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322, freelibrary.org.

[Friday]

➤ Chronic Chronos Kairos
As human beings, we are constantly running the infinite race with time. For this reason, perhaps, poet Jacob Russell has dedicated the title of his new prose collection, Chronic Chronos Kairos, to various relationships with the fleeting beast. Whether it’s something chronic, constantly repeating in our lives; an overseeing monitor of time, like the Greek god Chronos; or a spontaneous event occurring at the optimal moment, we are fighting the clock. Joined by local poets, JenMarie Davis, Courtney Bambrick, and Nick Gettino, Jacob Russell will discuss his new collection and writing process alongside these noteworthy Philly bards. 7:30-9 p.m., free, Moonstone Books, 110A S. 13th St., 215-735-9600, moonstoneartscenter.org.

[Saturday]

➤ Brotherly Loathe
What better time to read a book about longstanding familial grudges and fraternal animosity than in the calm before the Thanksgiving-reunion storm? Author of novel Well With My Soul, Greg Allen has written a tale of two brothers — polar opposites — who not only struggle to tolerate the other, but who have great difficulty seeing the point in honoring the relationship at all. They clash violently on their diverging ethical standards, sexual orientation and general life choices. So how is their blood thicker than water? Tonight, Allen will explain his inspiration for writing this powerful account and his take on family relationships. 5:30 p.m., free, Giovanni’s Room 345 S 12th St., 215-923-2960, giovannisroom.com.

[Sunday]

➤ Architecture Library II
Carrying everything from the history architecture and children’s block-building books to detailed coffee table anthologies on interior design, the American Institute of Architecture Library is gracing Philadelphia with a second branch. Infusing Washington Square with its shelves of knowledge, the AIA is open to students of architecture, aspiring designers and Frank Lloyd Wright fanatics of all ages. For those who don’t understand the terminology, the photographs in these books are worth the trip alone. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 12-5 p.m., AIA Bookstore and Design Center, Seventh and Sansom streets, 215-569-3188, aiabookstore.com.

[Monday]

➤ No Regrets with "Ace" Frehley
Chances are, you ran into one or all four of the members of the leather-daddy rock sensation KISS last weekend during your Halloween festivities. Their iconic face paint and teased hair make them perfect targets for imitation. This week, KISS member “Ace” Frehley will ditch the makeup for a discussion about his recently published autobiography, No Regrets. 6 p.m., free, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716, barnesandnoble.com.

Have a lit event you'd like to see in an upcoming Bookish? Email the deets to Francesca at francesca@citypaper.net.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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