Are you a writer or reader interested in listening to authors do public readings and answer questions about their work? Do you have an iPod (or some other inferior mp3 player capable of playing podcasts)?

If so, I heartily recommend you visit authorsontourlive.com, which posts weekly podcasts from public readings at The Tattered Cover in Denver--certainly one of the greatest independent book stores on earth. And, the podcasts feature a diverse and impressive range of authors: everyone from Andrew Weil to Frank McCourt to Joan Didion to Lemony Snicket.

Some authors are natural performers (Neil Gaiman, I thought, was quite charming, holding the audience capably in the palm of his hand). Others are uncomfortable public speakers. Still others seem to hate everything on earth, including the folks who showed up to hear them. But that's okay; it's interesting--and instructive--to listen to a variety of authors talk about their lives and loves.