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The Philly Book Crawl returns
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, August 22-28, 2024
Kyle V. Hiller
The Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl, or more simply the Philly Book Crawl (PBC), returns for its second year with a full day of celebrating the bookish scene happening right here and in the area. The PBC is going down on Saturday, August 24, and extends all across the city—from Old City to Germantown, from West Philadelphia to Haddonfield, New Jersey. Over 30 stores will be participating, and we’ve rounded up a few events that you should check out and also spotlighted a few stores that may not have reached your radar yet.
One of them might be Binding Agents—a new cookbook shop in the Italian Market that will be opening soon. A sneak peek is happening on Saturday, and you can check it out before everyone else does! You can hear more about Binding Agents on our latest podcast episode, too.
With the PBC, there is no specific route or meetup. You can choose your own adventure here, and along the way, you’ll find not only events but discounts, giveaways, author signings, and more.
Take a look at the full list of events and stores online and on social media. Also, be sure to check out our latest podcast episode with Eric Smith before you venture out!
Happy Book Crawl, Philly!
Publishing Industry AMA
10-11:30am
American Grammar, 2046 North Front Street, Philadelphia
The PBC opens with an “ask me anything” for writers to get an inside look at the publishing industry. Literary agents Leslie Zampetti and Jennifer Herrera; editors Britny Perilli and Liz Kossnar; and literary agent, author, and PBC founder Eric Smith, will be on the panel.
Book signings at A Novel Idea
1-3pm
A Novel Idea, 1726 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia
Five authors will be in attendance at the South Philly staple:
Sarahlyn Bruck, the author of Light of the Fire, a story about healing from past mistakes as two estranged friends face the 20-year-old accident that forced them apart, and the consequences of the secret that still haunts them.
Nick Gregorio’s second novel, Launch Me to the Stars, I’m Finished Here, tells the story of Astrid’s schemes to steal the components for a ship capable of reaching a lightyears-away world.
Victoria Mier’s Beyond the Aching Door spotlights a journalist’s investigation of mysterious drownings gripping Philadelphia that lead her to the last chance to save magic from extinction.
Xio Axelrod, author of Girls with Bad Reputations, shares a fictional tale in this two-part series of family drama and the pursuit of becoming the person you’ve always known you could be, told through the eyes of Kayla Whitman.
E.L. Berkley will also join the authors at A Novel Idea, showcasing their book Beyond the Cracked Door, a debut book that shares three short stories from the scary heights and eerie depths of a historic renovated hotel.
Creator signing with Jadzia Axelrod
2-4pm
Brave New Worlds Comics, 55 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia
Author and illustrator Jadzia Axelrod is paying a visit to the Old City shop on Saturday for a book signing. Axelrod is known for DC Comics’s Galaxy: The Prettiest Star, a graphic novel about gender identity, romance, and shining as bright as the stars. She’s also penned Frankenstein’s Support Group for Misunderstood Monsters and is the host of The Voice of Free Planet X, where she interviews “stranded time-travelers, low-rent superheroes, unrepentant monsters, and other such creatures of sci-fi and fantasy.”
Virtual chat with Dr. Melissa Ford
12-1pm
Little Red Library at the DuBois-Robeson People’s Center, 4515 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia
DuBois-Robeson People’s Center, a lending library, meeting space, and community center in West Philly, is hosting a hybrid book talk with scholar of African American history, Black radicalism, and women’s history Dr. Melissa Ford. Her book, Their Example Will Inspire Us, is a collection of five biographies of Black communist women whose radical histories have “fallen through the cracks” in time. The talk looks to go live on Facebook and Instagram and will also be held in person for those who can or want to make it out.
Signings at Head House
2-4pm
619 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
Head House Books hosts three authors in the afternoon for readings and signings abound. At 2pm is a reading and signing with Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of Housemates and The Third Rainbow Girl. Alyssa Songsiridej, author of Little Rabbit, will be signing at 3pm, and Ravishing author Eshani Surya will be around at 4pm.
An evening at the Head & the Hand
6-8pm
2230 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia
The Head & the Hand, an independent publisher and community bookstore based in Kensington, hosts authors and local celebrities Jiordan Castle, Alina Pleskova, Eshani Surya, and Joseph Earl Thomas for an evening discussion about the writing process across genres.
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