A Visit From Dave Housely

            “Am I in the right place?” I thought to myself as I opened the classroom door. I walked in Room 108 Chambers and sat down in one of the many empty seats. I had arrived early to make sure I had a seat but there was really no use because the room was empty. Silently, I sat and hoped that other people would show up. I didn’t want to be the only one there!

            This was my first time ever attending a “reading” before. Dave Housely was coming to Penn State to read some of his short stories and since Shelia said he was funny I thought this would be an enjoyable reading to attend outside of class.

            As I sat in the room people slowly stated to trickle in. I guess I was expecting a small stage or dark coffee house looking room where poets in berets get up and speak emotionally and everyone snaps their fingers when finished. This, however, was not the case at all. 

            First, Dave came in the room with his parents and friends and looked like any other guy. He was talking and laughing with them while trying to set up for his reading. I actually wasn’t even sure if he was the reader until he finally stood up in front of the room. Then he offered everyone a free copy of Barrelhouse, a literary book that he edits, which I thought was so. After about twenty to twenty-five people took seats in the classroom, Dave got ready to read.

            Unexpectedly, he was very engaging and talked to the audience very casually. For example, he asked us how we liked the lighting in the room and even asked us to name the “doucheiest male star” at the time so he could add him as a character in one of his stories. When he started reading I was surprised at how freely he spoke about sex, drugs, and cursing without awkward and cringing faces. I guess attending a Catholic school all my life really sheltered me from real life literary works. Although I did not understand the entire story, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dave read. I felt that he had a dry sense of humor, which I always enjoy. He reminded me of a person who doesn’t realize how funny he or she actually is.

            After experiencing a literary reading, I cannot say I would go to listen to an author just for fun. Although now as I think about it, I might enjoy a reading by one of my favorite authors or someone I’m familiar with. I believe that being familiar with an author and his or her work helps one to be able to enjoy a reading experience more than with an unknown author.