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1

I know not all readings are awful. That's why I mentioned Lin.

I will (from this point on) only attend readings of Ed Lin, or if it's an author I'd like to bed.

Word.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 11:56 AM
2

@1 -- "...or if it's an author I'd like to bed."

Well, that ought to narrow it down.

Posted by Jubilation T. Cornball | June 30, 2008 12:06 PM
3

who cares four eyes

Posted by nonody reads books on slog | June 30, 2008 12:07 PM
4

What's the big deal? Readings can always be hit or miss. Great author, lousy reading. Poor author/book, great reading/discussion. And all other combinations.

I guess I'm just jaded by this point and go to readings with low expectations. Sometimes I get pleasantly surprised that way.

I remember being excited about going to see Paul Auster at Elliott Bay Books. But the MC announced that Auster would only be reading from his new book, would not be taking any questions (but would sign stuff). That was lame.

Some authors take generic questions and throw back great responses. Some take great questions and throw back a generic response. The unpredictable factor is partof the fun I suppose. (Is there already a site that reviews readings?)

And Mr. Poe, what question did you ask at that reading?

Posted by stinkbug | June 30, 2008 12:07 PM
5

@4

Before I attend a book reading, I arm myself with one question and one question only. If I can't come up with a good question, I have this incredible thing inside my head that says I don't have one: so I don't ask one. I had one for Dubus, but it was answered before he started asking for questions.

Since this exchange wasn't meant for Slog, you're missing some of the e-mail. The thing that started my issue with the questions wasn't just "these questions are stupid", it was that most of the questions were obviously intended to announce somewhat of an importance.

They weren't asking the question to receive an answer, they were equipping a question in order to tell everyone they knew his father. It happened twice at Dubus's reading, and it's happened at every reading I've attended. I find it irritating that a good group of people go out of their way to attend a book reading just to let the audience (& author) know that they knew someone [the author] was related to. And it's painfully obvious when they do it.

And--to be fair--just for the record, one of the #1 category questions was asked by my friend who was attending the reading with me. And I didn't give her shit for it, either. The #1 category questions will always exist, and I might even ask one if it hasn't already been asked from time to time. But that wasn't the point of the e-mail.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 12:48 PM
6

This calls for a SLOG poll, best initiated with a nominating process: Best local reading of the past decade, and its obvious corollary, worst local reading of the past decade.

For best I'll nominate Jonathan Raban, any old time. For worst, I imagine it was Chelsea Handler last month, but how would I know? I chose not to go, for some strange reason or another.

Posted by Jeff Stevens | June 30, 2008 12:53 PM
7

But Poe. You don't know how to read .

Posted by u suck | June 30, 2008 12:57 PM
8

*every reading meaning they knew "a relative", not just "the father"...if that wasn't obvious. Had to make a note.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 12:57 PM
9

I can't imagine wanting to attend a reading by a novelist I cared about. I hate being read aloud to, and there is NOTHING outside of the covers of the book worth knowing about it. Every word spoken, or even the sight of the author, causes the value of the book to decrease. For me.

The only novelist I've seen read was Louise Erdrich, and I hated every second of it -- and it spoiled her book for me.

The correlation between good-novel-writing and good-reading or even good-public-speaking is nil. What if my favorite book turns out to be by a hopeless stammerer? I don't want to know. You can't really take in complex material by ear, anyways.

Non-fiction writers might have something to offer, as long as they aren't just reading out of their book, but delivering fresh content. I saw Jonathan Raban once, and he was excellent, and interesting. He wasn't reading anything though.

But even then, I cannot even begin to imagine wanting to know what some fool member of the public wants to ask, or what the answer is.

Posted by Fnarf | June 30, 2008 1:19 PM
10

@5: To be fair, your friend is probably not as brilliant as she thinks she is, and probably just went to say she went, and probably asked a question so she could say she asked a question. "I attend all sorts of events! I'm popular and fun and well read!"

Otherwise she would have asked something worthwhile instead of wasting everyone's time.

Posted by Dana | June 30, 2008 1:51 PM
11

@10

Sorry, Dana (Really? HAHAHA!), but my friends aren't conceited like yours. (See also: Deborah, Susan and Francine.)

Her question was worthwhile and it was one I might have asked if she didn't, like I said, only it still falls into the #1 category, like I said, but if you're searching for sticks to poke me with, you found one. Go you!

Now, you best be attending your tea hour with Rosalie and Jeannette, you cute little cunt you!

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 2:09 PM
12

Oh Mr. Poe, I just wanted to be at the receiving end of your wrath, just for the experience. I go by my middle name on here because I'm a coward, but yes, it is old-fashioned I suppose.

Seriously though, I just assumed any woman you might be friends with would be kind of worthless since you seem to hate women. I can't imagine a smart woman with positive self-esteem wanting to subject themselves to you and I didn't think you'd mind a little smack talking since I figured you weren't really loyal to any of your female friends. Oops!

Posted by Dana | June 30, 2008 2:34 PM
13
Seriously though, I just assumed any woman you might be friends with would be kind of worthless since you seem to hate women. I can't imagine a smart woman with positive self-esteem wanting to subject themselves to you and I didn't think you'd mind a little smack talking since I figured you weren't really loyal to any of your female friends. Oops!

Well, that's just your good'ol fashioned woman speaking right there. Your rage has clouded any actual understanding of my comments on women, destroying all humor and context to assure yourself that I'm not trying to be funny or make a point, no-no, clearly I hate women. And you know, that's probably the best thing for you to think. Anything else might make your head explode. I'd know. Most of my friends are chicks.

Hopefully this won't make your head explode: my friends make fun of me for being gay and male. I make fun of them for being whatever and whatever. We make fun of each other, and occasionally break for actual conversation. Isn't it crazy how some people don't take every living minute of their life seriously?! I kneeeooow!!

Oh! Oh! Me! I have a question!!!

When you and your moron friends are done convincing each other that they're smart and have something worthwhile to say, what do the lot of you laugh about? Your periods?

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 2:52 PM
14

Have you seen Sex and the City? It's just like that.

Posted by dana enthusiast | June 30, 2008 2:59 PM
15

look at all these women

Posted by that poe hates | June 30, 2008 3:11 PM
16

my friends make fun of me for being gay and male. I make fun of them for being whatever and whatever. We make fun of each other

By your use of "friends" there it seems that you acknowledge a difference between friends making fun of each other and a person making fun of a complete stranger. Or am I reading that wrong?

Posted by stinkbug | June 30, 2008 3:12 PM
17

No, you're not reading that wrong. There is a difference, and I respect that difference. But just like many here on Slog can tell you, I don't make many exceptions. I only dissolve the degree of offensiveness. I make fun of everything. Everything.

If that rubs someone the wrong way, that's understandable. Believe it or not, they then stop talking to me! Problem solved! Who knew that you could maturely distinguish whether or not you care to be in the company of someone who you aren't socially compatible with?!

We both win at that point. We've met each other, we see that we're completely different, there's nothing left to do but move on to the next person, and maybe refill your beverage.

I'm not going to adjust who I am to fit the social requirements of someone I don't know. If they don't like the way I am, chances are they aren't someone worthwhile for me to know: vice versa. I'm respectful of strangers, but I'm not in the business of sucking anus for friendship I don't want or need. If it makes you feel any better, you can also walk away and talk excessive amounts of shit about me. I don't care. Hell, I feed off of it.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 3:20 PM
18

*whom.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 3:22 PM

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