Attending author readings and events is a very New York thing, sure. But it’s also a very D.C. thing. In this town avid readers are fortunate to have a chance to hear from – and talk with – authors almost every night of the week.

We at WAMU have been working with Kramerbooks on a slate of events this fall, so we’ve seen first hand the kinds of crowds that come out for these conversations.

And our neighbors and friends up the street at Politics and Prose sometimes host multiple events a day – at their store, Busboys & Poets locations and at larger venues when demand is high.

This Saturday – October 31 at 1 p.m. – they’re hosting Kate Gavino, an author and illustrator who is taking the author reading to a new, almost meta level. Gavino has put together a collection of quotes and sketches from author events she’s attended in New York. Her resulting book, “Last Night’s Reading: Illustrated Encounters with Extraordinary Authors” was published this week and is a fun peek into Gavino’s travels to author readings.

She and I caught up recently via email:

What inspired this project for you?

The first reading I posted a portrait from was a Junot Diaz event from 2013. He spoke about the importance of bearing witness to your surroundings, and as someone who is constantly observing, this rang especially true to me. Drawing these author portraits is my way of sharing my experience at a particular book reading.

Would you draw on site at events or take photos to work from later? And what about the quotes? Drawing and catching a great snippet all at once seems tricky…

I draw several sketches at the reading, and then I go home and draw the final portrait. I take notes during the reading as well and jot down any quotes that jump out at me. I usually record a reading on my phone, but I very rarely go back and listen to it. I usually know the quote I’m going to use the minute I hear it.

Who surprised you the most when you went to see them and why?

Seeing the poet Elizabeth Alexander was one of my favorite readings. I don’t think I fully appreciated poetry until I started seeing more and more poets read their own work out loud. She also spoke about family and death in a way that deeply affected me — and everyone else in the room. I left that reading feeling the way many people feel after seeing an amazing movie, like we all had experienced something great together.

Was there an author you were almost reluctant to go see because you had a certain picture of them in your mind already?

I occasionally see authors whose books I haven’t read or whose views I don’t necessarily agree with, but I decide to see them because I think they’re interesting. I like being around their fans since they’re the biggest advocates for why that person’s work is worth reading. At the end of the night, I walk away learning something, which makes the reading worth it.

If you could go back in time to see one author who’s no longer with us – who would it be?

One of my favorite authors is Victor Hugo, and I think he’d have great stories about the Bourbon dynasty. I like people who go off on tangents, and he’s all about that life.

Are you going to have someone draw YOU while you’re on tour?

A few people have drawn me at past events I’ve done, and I’m always incredibly flattered. I’m the least photogenic person ever, so I think I come off better in drawings than photos. So I highly encourage any artists in upcoming audiences!

Go check out Kate Gavino at Politics and Prose on October 31 and stop by our next Kramerbooks event – coming up on November 4 – and say hi!