BOOKISH: “Never waste your time finishing a bad book”

POSTED: Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 3:00 PM

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

[ tonight ]

➤ Paz it On

On this day in 1990, poet and essayist Octavio Paz (pictured) won the Nobel Prize for literature. Throughout his career, Paz was surrounded by political and cultural turmoil in Mexico and believed that he would best understand his world by reflecting on history and tracing social evolutions through time. Many of his works model this process. For instance, the 17-page Sunstone is modeled after the poet’s muse, the ancient Aztec cyclical calendar. Sit down with Eliot Weinberger’s translation and watch how each stanza could stand alone as a kernel of the whole. All day, back porch, $9.95, Sunstone: Piedra de Sol.

[ wednesday ]

➤ Occupy Yourself

If you haven’t celebrated Philadelphia’s involvement in Occupy Philly, take this low-risk option to throw your fist up. Or, if you've been protesting since last Thursday, take a break to shower, and then come by the Wooden Shoe. Alongside your fellow city anarchists and author Keith McHenry, discuss the unjust and sometimes illegal actions that have been inflicted on silence political activists, such as wire-tapping and violent force. McHenry’s End the Criminalization covers the current fight against world poverty and hunger in detail, who’s to blame and who can help. Ask him questions and convince him to walk to City Hall with you. 7-9 p.m., free, Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St., woodenshoebooks.com.

[ thursday ]

➤ TGIT

For this month’s Book Discussion and a Film, the Northeast Regional Library will host Dennis Lehane’s page-turning thriller, Shutter Island. Charge onward into the ever-passionate battle between literature and Hollywood’s adaptations to decide which medium was able to portray the horror and suspense more effectively. As you drive home from the event and walk into your empty house alone, just be grateful it ain’t Friday (the 13th). 1 p.m., free, Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., freelibrary.org.

[ friday ]

➤ Dead Bards of Philadelphia

There’s no wrong day for a poetry fix. So instead of drowning your liver in cheap bar specials this Friday, release the poetry vapors clogging your spleen. They’re there, don’t argue, they’re there. The Dead Bards of Philadelphia, dedicated to the power of language, invite all to their open mic at Manayunk's Spiral Bookcase this Friday. For those of you who think you’re stuff is crap, bring it and try it out. 7:30 p.m., free, The Spiral Bookcase, 112 Cotton St., 215-482-0704, thespiralbookcase.com.

[ saturday ]

➤ Images of Being

To celebrate the release of her first full-length poetry collection, Philadelphia's Diane Sahms-Guarnieri will sign and read excerpts from, Images of Being (pictured). Her work is an exploration of self but manages to hit close to home for all readers. She even gives a shout-out to her Philly "born and breds," by integrating Boathouse Row and other Philly landscapes. 1-2:30 p.m, free, The Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave., 215-685-0544, ryerssmuseum.org.

[ sunday ]

➤ Book Swap

Lisa Scottoline, a wise woman and author, once said, “Never waste your time finishing a bad book.” Take this cool, autumn Sunday afternoon to clean off an old bookshelf. Pack a bag with the books that bore you and stroll over to Mostly Books to swap them out with ones you won't want to put down. For those who always lean toward picture books, they also have an incredible old photograph collection. All day, free, Mostly Books Philly, 529 Bainbridge St. and 259 S. 10th St., 215-238-9838, mostlybooksphilly.com.

[ monday ]

➤ For Civil War Buffs

If the words “Battle of Gettysburg” sound familiar to you, but you’re not sure why, you probably should have been medicated for ADHD during this elementary school American History lesson. No biggy, you can make up for lost information by attending this week’s lecture series at Media Upper-Providence Free Library with Civil War History expert, Andrew Miller. Learn about the men from both sides who suffered through the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and the Generals who developed the warring strategies. 6:30-7:30 p.m., free, Media Upper-Providence Free Library, 1 East Front St., 610-566-1918, mediauplibrary.org.

Have lit events you'd like featured in an upcoming Bookish? Email the deets to 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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