I've done a handful of public readings in my life, and while none has been completely unpleasurable, probably the best so far occurred about a month ago. The Chicago-based Great Books Foundation held a launch event in connection with their “Big Ideas in Popular Culture” trilogy; GBF bigwig Nancy Carr, my old crony and co-blogger, invited me to read the Magic Circles excerpt that was in included in the pop music volume. The event was held at Bookends and Beginnings, a warm, ec
