But I tried, and that's the important thing

Ok, bailed on the Sedaris reading/signing. I like Unabridged Bookstore. Bought a (remaindered, hardcover) copy of Colson Whitehead's John Henry Days, and spent about an hour milling about smartly. Had I arrived with two hours to mill about, I might have had a chance of standing somewhere I could actually see the author, as opposed to sort-of over to the side, behind a bookshelf, where the staff assured us we'd be able to hear him. . .

Standing and listening to someone who frequently appears on the radio, I decided after an hour of waiting, was just a wee bit silly.

Some bookstores are set up well for such events. Women & Children First, for example, has a raised stage, and bookcases on wheels that can be cleared to create a space for chairs. Uncomfortable steel folding chairs that are actually meant to be hit wrestlers over the head with, true, but it's the thought, or the attempt, that matters.

There might have been seating in Unabridged. And a stage. I can't remember from the last time I was there, when it was possible to actually navigate the space without risking stepping on someone. I'll have to check and see next time I'm in the area.

Anyone who either got there early enough to grab good floor space, or just toughed it out, please keep it to yourself or I will track you down and shoot you like a dog in the street.

I mean, feel free to share your pleasant memories of the event in comments. Yes.

The smut reading on Sunday better be better, is all I'm saying.

Shame there won't be any Kris Dresen smut, but you can't have everything. . .