Birds, murals and sitcoms are on the agenda this month. For young readers there is a book launch party, a signing by an author who makes math fun, or at least tries, and a reading about a panda. Foodies will appreciate a new cookbook event that is tied to a popular grocery emporium.
Tuesday (7:30 p.m.): Rebecca Goldstein, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Guggenheim fellow, will present “Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won’t Go Away.” Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Wednesday (7 p.m.): Author Sharon Penman will discuss and sign “A King’s Ransom,” the sequel to “Lionheart,” that covers the last years of Richard, Coeur de Lion.” Barnes Noble, Route 1 South, Princeton; 609-750-9010.
Thursday (5:30 p.m.): Diane Jacobs, author of “Her Own Woman: The Life of Mary Wollstonecraft,” will discuss and sign copies of “Dear Abigail: The Intimate Lives and Revolutionary Ideas of Abigail Adams and Her Two Remarkable Sisters.” A reception will follow the presentation. Tickets $10, free for members. The Athenaeum, 219 Sixth St., Philadelphia; 215-925-2688.
Thursday (6 p.m.): Dr. Tsitsi Jaji will discuss and sign copies of her new book, “Africa in Stereo: Modernism, Music and Pan-American Solidarity.” Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-898-7595.
Thursday (7:30 p.m.): Helen Oyeyemi will present a new take on the classic story of Snow White, “Boy, Snow, Bird.” She will be joined by Okey Ndibe, author of “Foreign Gods, Inc.,” a story about an immigrant cab driver’s struggles with American culture. Free Library of Philadelphia.
Friday (11 a.m.): The First Friday Book Group will discuss “Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat” by Bee Wilson. Barnes Noble, 200 W. Route 70, Evesham; 856-596-7058.
Friday (7 p.m.): Author Len Vlahos will talk about and sign “The Scar Boys,” a coming-of age novel about a badly burned boy.” Barnes Noble, Princeton.
Saturday (11 a.m.): Artie Bennett will read from and sign his new children’s book, “Peter Panda Melts Down.” Barnes Noble, 911 Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill; 856-486-1492.
Saturday (11:30 a.m.): Children’s author Allison Gutknecht will present “A Cast is the Perfect Accessory” at a book launch party. Barnes Noble, Evesham.
March 10 (7 p.m.): The Writers Group will discuss writing short stories and poetry. Barnes Noble, Princeton.
March 11 (noon): Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, vice provost for Global Initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, will present his new work, “The Reinvention of American Health Care: How the Affordable Care Act will Improve Our Terribly Complex, Outrageously Expensive, Grossly Inefficient, Error Prone System.” Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 11 (7 p.m.): The Writers Group, hosted by Susan Pitcher, will explore how seasons affect your writing. Barnes Noble, Cherry Hill.
March 11 (7:30 p.m.): Investigative journalist Stephen Jimenez will present “The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths about the Murder of Matthew Shepard,” an account of the secrets and cover-ups surrounding the Laramie, Wyo., murder. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 12 (6 p.m.): Book Discussion Night will talk about why artists choose to create art, artistic lives and studios, centered on, “The Accidental Masterpiece” by Michael Kimmelman. Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St., Philadelphia; 215-922-3456.
March 13 (6:30 p.m.): The Power of Now Book Group will discuss chapter two of “The Bhagavad Gita.” All translations welcome. Barnes Noble, 1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown; 856-608-1622.
March 13 (7:30 p.m.): Lorrie Moore, a teacher of creative writing at the University of Wisconsin, will introduce “Bark,” a collection of stories about American life. She will be joined by Chang-rae Lee, who teaches creative writing at Princeton University, for a look at his novel, “On Such a Full Sea,” about a future dystopian America. Tickets are $15 with a discount for students. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 15 (11 a.m.): Author Laura Overdeck will read from and sign copies of “Bedtime Math 2: This Time It’s Personal,” recommended for ages 3-7. Barnes Noble, Cherry Hill.
March 16 (1 p.m.): Author and nutritionist Susan Greeley will discuss her new cookbook, “Cooking with Trader Joe’s,” featuring their products to create quick recipes for the whole family to enjoy. Barnes Noble, Princeton.
March 17 (7:30 p.m.): Poetry in the Round will share current projects or best work of last year. Listeners are welcome. Barnes Noble, Evesham.
March 18 (6 p.m.): C. Riley Snorton will discuss and sign copies of his new book, ”Nobody is Supposed to Know: Black Sexuality on the Down Low.” Penn Bookstore, Philadelphia.
March 18 (7 p.m.): The Writing Group will provide support and share their passion for writing. Barnes Noble, Moorestown.
March 18 (7:30 p.m.): Reporters Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker will discuss their investigative reporting that exposed one of the biggest police corruption scandals in Philadelphia history in, “Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love.” Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 19 (6 p.m.): Saul Austerlitz will discuss and sign his new book, “Sitcom: A History in 224 Episodes from “I Love Lucy” to “Community.” Penn Bookstore.
March 20 (7:30 p.m.): Hikers Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal will introduce their book, “A Sliver of Light: Three Americans Imprisoned in Iran,” their account of imprisonment after being arrested by borders guards in 2009. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 21 (6 p.m.): Children’s author Allison Gutknecht will sign copies of “Don’t Wear Polka-Dot Underwear with White Pants: (And Other Lessons I’ve Learned.)” Barnes Noble, Moorestown.
March 23 (2 p.m.): David Sibley, an ornithologist and scientific illustrator, will present “The Sibley Guide to Birds: Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged,” with 600 additional paintings and expanded text. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 24 (7 p.m.): The African American Book Group will discuss “The Good Lord Bird” by James McBride, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction. Barnes Noble, Princeton.
March 24 (7 p.m.): The Yours in Crime Book Group will discuss “On the Street Where You Live” by Mary Higgins Clark. The selection for April will be “Bright and Yellow, Hard and Cold” by Tim Chapman. Barnes Noble, Evesham.
March 24 (7:30 p.m.): Teju Cole, an author, art historian and street photographer, will discuss “Every Day is for the Thief,” set in the author’s hometown of Lagos. He will be joined by Dinaw Mengestu, a 2012 MacArthur Foundation genius grant recipient, for a look at “All our Names,” his novel about identity and secrets. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 25 (7:30 p.m.): Jane Golden, executive director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and David Updike, editors of “Philadelphia Mural Arts @ 30,” will talk about the history of the program and its commitment to community. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 25 (7:30 p.m.): The Page Turners Book Group will discuss “Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer, set in 1937 Paris. The selection for next month will be “A Reliable Wife” by Robert Goolrick. Barnes Noble, Evesham.
March 26 (6 p.m.): Penn Professor Robert Field will discuss and sign copies of “Mother of Invention: How the Government Created ‘Free Market’ Healthcare,” his exploration of health care sectors and financial powerhouses. Penn Bookstore, Philadelphia.
March 26 (7:30 p.m.): The Writers Workshop, for writers of all genres, will provide critique and support from other writers. Barnes Noble, Evesham.
March 27 (11 a.m.): Children’s author Lois Crooks will read “The Bird in the Bag.” Barnes Noble, Cherry Hill.
March 27 (6 p.m.): Jane Goldman and David Updike will discuss, “Philadelphia Mural Arts @ 30.” Penn Bookstore, Philadelphia.
March 27 (7:30 p.m.): Simon Schama, professor of art history and history at Columbia University, will present “The Story of the Jews: Finding the Words 1000 BC-1492 AD,” a tie-in to the TV series. Tickets $15 with a discount for students. Free Library of Philadelphia.
March 31 (6:30 p.m.): Daniel Gottlieb, a quadriplegic after a traumatic injury, will present “The Wisdom We’re Born With: Restoring Our Faith in Ourselves.” Barnes Noble, 1805 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215- 665-0716.
March 31 (7:30 p.m.): Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the youngest women ever elected to the Florida State Legislature and chair of the Democratic National Committee, will discuss in a conversation with Gov. Ed Rendell, “For the Next Generation: A Wake-Up Call to Solving Our Nation’s Problems,” her new book that proposes approaching policy from a parent’s perspective. Free Library of Philadelphia.