Love: A Philadelphia Affair

by Beth Kephart

Philadelphia has been at the heart of many books by award-winning author Beth Kephart, but none more so than the affectionate collection Love. This volume of personal essays and photographs celebrates the intersection of memory and place. Kephart writes lovingly, reflectively about what Philadelphia means to her. She muses about meandering on SEPTA trains, spending hours among the armor in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and taking shelter at Independence Mall during a downpour. In Love, Kephart shares her love of Reading Terminal Market at “This abundant, bristling market is, in November, the most unlonesome place around.” She waxes poetic about the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the mustard in a Salumeria sandwich, and the “coins slipped between the lips of Philbert the pig.” Kephart also extends her journeys to the suburbs, Glenside and Ardmore—and beyond, to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Stone Harbor, New Jersey; and Wilmington, Delaware. What emerges is a valentine to the City of Brotherly Love and its environs. In Love, Philadelphia is “more than its icons, bigger than its tagline.”

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2015

About the author

I'm the award-winning writer of more than two-dozen books in multiple genres—memoir, middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, history, corporate fable, and books on the making of memoir.

I'm also an award-winning teacher at the University of Pennsylvania, co-founder of Juncture Workshops, and an essayist and critic with work appearing in The New York Times, Life magazine, Ninth Letter, Catapult, The Millions, The Rumpus, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and elsewhere.

Please visit me at junctureworkshops.com or bethkephartbooks.com.

Reviews

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a pleasure to read about Philadelphia, a city I was fortunate to visit briefly and not spend enough time in, through the eyes of someone who loves it dearly. All of its nooks and crannies, its alleys, its rivers, its art, its history -- it is all laid bare with Kephart's fondest memories and recollections. The city comes alive in her hands -- it breathes.

Review to post on Sept. 10: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2015/09/l...

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the essays in this book especially being so familiar with many of the places mentioned in the book. The descriptions drew me in and I was right there with her. Would be interested to read more books by this author.

[Sudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it...this book will open your perhaps jaded eyes to the magic of Philly and its suburbs all over again.

[Alyson Hagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and lyrical meditations about a fascinating city. Kephart's observations and passions make you want to walk the world anew, even if you're not in Philly.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this lying around the history department at St. Joe's, and decided that since I'm new to Philadelphia (relatively), I should read it. It is a collection of essays that Kephart wrote over a number of years, mostly apparently as columns in the Inquirer. I didn't hate it! I did enjoy some of the columns more than others, but it was a pretty good tour around the city and its surrounding area. There were some that seemed sort of idiosyncratic - I kind of expected at least one essay devoted to some sport or other, but the "sports" one was really about a Bruce Springsteen concert. I liked the offbeat ones - there was one about a taxidermy lady, and one about having to go to Wilmington, Delaware because of a storm or something.
I read most of this at a campground in Delaware, sitting by a fire, after my daughter went to sleep, with very loud bird tweets competing with a guy blasting Red Hot Chili Peppers from the next campsite over. I was drinking a beer and everything smelled like smoke and Ben's bug dope. So there's a very specific set of sense memories for me when I think of this book.

[DH · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I went to Penn like the author and also loved Philadelphia. So one day in a book store - when I saw this book - i bought it. Probably 10 years it then sat on my bookshelf unread for reasons unknown. Then this weekend as I was cleaning up as prep for moving homes - i picked it up again and finished it in 1 sitting

What a delight! captures the Philly I know and loved from my time there. I used to live near Woodland cemetery and was always too scared of getting mugged to go in. I instead used peer through the gates to get a peak but her chapter read just as I felt as the time. Wonderful to read captures like this and see the author had a deep positive appreciation of the city as I developed over time.

Read it if you have an emotional connection to Philadelphia

[Edmund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love letter, indeed. Having called Philly home for 29 years, I can comfortably say that Beth Kephart and I have trod many of the same paths on our disparate journeys. One need not be familiar with Philly to enjoy this affectionate collection of essays on love and life travels. But, it wouldn't hurt. A great gift from my sister Jodi. And a beautiful gift from Beth to the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love.