Do You Have A Library Book?

[kbadr]

Seems the "stacks" in the improv library have been steadily dwindling for some time.

If you have a book, and have had it for some time, I would appreciate you returning said book about as much as you will appreciate me not knocking on your door at 3am like a Repo Man to reclaim it.

[Wesley]

Agreed.

This is a community resource, for community use. A lot of people spent a lot of time and money buying and donating these books for everyone's use.

Please fill out the log when you check out a book and please return them in a timely manner. If you have one that you have not "officially" checked out, or have one that you have had for a while, please bring it back or fill in the check-out log with the information that you have it. Do it for the community.

[HerrHerr]

No, I don't. Just trying to get to a magic number by the end of the day. Sorry, folks.

[Ever]

WHAT?!?!?! There is an improv library? Where? And how do i get a card?

[Roy Janik]

WHAT?!?!?! There is an improv library? Where? And how do i get a card?

Hey look, it's Ever! Welcome to the forums.

The library is in the green room of the Hideout. It features loads of improv books, including all the big'uns, and some other assorted stuff.

The main requirement is that you bring the books back when you're done with them.

Start with Impro. It's the be-all-end-all of improv books.

[Wesley]

If it is still there. We need to gather back all the missing books because I and others spent a lot of time and effort on getting books for that thing.

ONLY TOOLS STEAL LIBRARY BOOKS FROM THE COMMUNITY!

If you have one and are not a tool, please bring it back.

[kbadr]

Start with Impro. It's the be-all-end-all of improv books.

Oh god. This is gonna get ugly...

[Roy Janik]

Start with Impro. It's the be-all-end-all of improv books.

Oh god. This is gonna get ugly...

MWAHAHAHAHA.

[York99]

Start with Impro. It's the be-all-end-all of improv books.

In the interest of full disclosure to people who are new to improv books, I feel it's necessary to say that, although "Impro" is one of the more important books on improv, it is a bit heavy and dry. I'm a reader and an improv lover and it's now been twice that I've started reading this book and stopped because the writing can be a tad on the dull side.

There are many other books on improv that, although they won't win any Pulitzer Prizes, are extremely valid (many would argue more valid, though that's a much different conversation) and a hell of a lot easier to read.

I will suggest "Truth in Comedy" by Halpern et al and "Improvise" by Napier. They should take about 11 minutes to complete, but many of the most respected improvisers in the craft swear by them.

I and many of those same improvisers will also recommend "Impro."

[Roy Janik]

Start with Impro. It's the be-all-end-all of improv books.

In the interest of full disclosure to people who are new to improv books, I feel it's necessary to say that, although "Impro" is one of the more important books on improv, it is a bit heavy and dry. I'm a reader and an improv lover and it's now been twice that I've started reading this book and stopped because the writing can be a tad on the dull side.

There are many other books on improv that, although they won't win any Pulitzer Prizes, are extremely valid (many would argue more valid, though that's a much different conversation) and a hell of a lot easier to read.

I will suggest "Truth in Comedy" by Halpern et al and "Improvise" by Napier. They should take about 11 minutes to complete, but many of the most respected improvisers in the craft swear by them.

I and many of those same improvisers will also recommend "Impro."

Yes, I was being facetious because we've beat this topic to death in the past. Impro, Truth in Comedy, and a host of others will serve you just fine. There's a big hairy debate somewhere on the forums discussing the relative merits of each book.

These days when I want to read something to improve my improv, I try to find a good history book.

[kbadr]

These days when I want to read something to improve my improv, I try to find a good history book.

History...of wizards?

[York99]

Yes, I was being facetious because we've beat this topic to death in the past.

I realize that, but there are new people joining the improv community and reading the forums all the time who aren't going to read the archives. I.e.:
http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=2055

[Wesley]

Your link confuses me, sir.

That said, I would highly recommend Improvise, but NOT until you've been improvising for at least a year. I read it too soon. It's advice is too powerful and easily misunderstood without some stage time under your belt.

[Miggy]

I have one of the copies of the BATS playbook. I am not a tool. Or perhaps I am...we'll find out if I don't return it this weekend.

[Jastroch]

Start with Impro. It's the be-all-end-all of improv books.

I really loved impro, but on the other hand I found it provided prescious little practical instruction.

Now everyone begin beating up Truth in Comedy so we can start that debate again.