How can we make book readings more stimulating?
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Book readings are ready for a revolution. How would you change them?
Book readings are ready for a revolution. How would you change them?
Book readings have a slightly stuffy reputation: quiet, restrained, civilized. They aren't generally rowdy events. And rarely, if ever, are they death-defying. But one San Francisco group is working to change that stereotype in venues all around the world. KALW’s Molly Samuel has the story.
Literary Death Match will be at the Elbo Room in San Francisco Friday, August 14, 2009.

Responses (4)
Something to remember about book readings is that writing a book is a different skill from reading out loud. Just because you can do one doesn't mean you can do the other. And sad to say, the solitary business of authoring a book is not really compatible with voicing it. Giving authors some "toastmaster" training before they go on tour could make them more appealing.
To me, the biggest draw to go to a book reading is the author. If it's an author that I really like, I'll make an effort to go. If it's someone I've never heard of, the event is not likely to cross my radar screen. So to me, the challenge is really how to reach out to more people and get them to attend readings in the first place. Maybe spicing them up and making a real "event" out of it is one way to get people interested.
Don't a lot of readings already provide some kind of snacks?
I think the addition of refreshments would give book readings a lot more appeal.