Listen To German Authors Read Their Work To You With Zehnseiten

While many complain that the Internet is killing the written word, here is an example of German organization who is using the power of the web to distribute good literature. Knowing that many people would love to find more good books to read, they have arranged a system for authors to read their work directly to you, presented via the Internet.

Zehnseiten was created by five friends from Munich while they were out having drinks.

I know that many people dismiss German beer hall culture as simple drunkenness, but the truth is that while we are drinking we Germans discuss everything. Literature, art, science, politics . . . there is no better way to really work through an idea than with your friends and some good German beer by your side. :-)

In this case, the discussion was pointing out that when you go to a book reading by an author, you are usually very familiar with their work. However, due to work schedules or unfamiliarity with the format, many people never go to book readings. This is unfortunate, because there is no better way to really connect with a writer and their work.

To solve this problem, the friends arranged for German and international writers to read ten pages from their newest novel aloud. The format is simple. The authors are presented in black and white, sitting at a table and looking straight at the camera. You get to see them as well as hear them read you their favorite sections of their latest work.

The recordings are available through an iPhone application as well, so you can take your favorite readings with you. Shorter recordings are about ten minutes, while some of the longest videos are thirty minutes in length.

Presently, Paul Beatty, Norbert Niemann, Tim Parks, Thomas Meinecke, George M. Oswald, Stephanie Geiger, and Andreas Neumeister are among the authors featured. New recordings are added weekly.

I’ve already found several new authors to enjoy through Zehnseiten, as well as gotten to see some of my favorite writers read aloud.

There are select recordings in English, but most of them are in German. So why not practice your German listening skills while discovering some truly interesting writers? :-)

—Marcus