Penn Book Center is one of the true treasures of the Philadelphia literary scene. An independent bookstore, with superb selection (and what CA Conrad declared the finest poetry shelves in the city), and intelligent, well-read staff, it belongs to a proud and diminishing breed.

For my part, I can’t walk into the place without slapping some books down to buy before walking out the door. If you are on University of Pennsylvania campus, stop by and say hello, and pick up something for yourself.

[Note: Penn Book Center should not be confused with the University of Pennsylvania Bookstore, which is a large, corporate bookseller owned by Barnes & Noble, though it’s fine for what it is, particularly if you’re looking for a Wharton keyring.]

Penn Book Center
130 S 34th St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-7600
http://www.pennbookcenter.com/

You can stop in for their poem of the day here.

They also run a top-notch Philadelphia poetry reading series. Check it out! Support local bookstores! Support local poets!

March 2: Joshua Edwards, Robert Fernandez, Mary Hickman, and Lynn Xu (A Canarium Books showcase)

March 23: Jacob Bennett, Amelia Bentley, and Kimberly Ann Southwick

March 30: Chris McCreary and Frank Sherlock

April 6: Cynthia Arrieu-King and Hillary Gravendyk

April 13: Daisy Fried and Brian Teare

April 27: Soham Patel, Deborah Poe and Carlos Soto Román

May 18: Ethel Rackin and Hassen Saker

June 1: Lynn Levin and Anne-Adele Wight

June 8: Trisha Low, Holly Melgard, and Joey Yearous-Algozin