The read on books? Just ask Billy Crystal

More trade shows should be this fun.

Book Expo America -- the publishing industry’s annual get-together -- begins Thursday in New York City with an appearance by Billy Crystal, whose hit one-man Broadway show “700 Sundays” will be published in November by Warner Books.

Last year in Chicago, former President Clinton launched the expo, and the shift in opening speakers reflects a broader change in publishing as the 2004 election-year flood of political books has ebbed.

Other highlighted speakers during the convention include Umberto Eco, Paul Theroux, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Barbara Ehrenreich and Michael Cunningham. All of these authors have books out soon.

The convention, which runs through Sunday, is expected to draw 25,000 to 30,000 book industry people in an endless hustle of publishers and authors trying to connect with booksellers, shop owners attending seminars seeking better ways to run their businesses and a seemingly bottomless cocktail glass.

“It’s 30% party, 30% buzz, 20% exposition specials, and the other 20% we don’t usually talk about in a family newspaper,” joked Dutton Books’ Doug Dutton, who plans to attend. “It’s really a lot of entertaining and seeing old friends ... a lot of it is networking.”

It’s also a place to take the industry’s pulse and learn firsthand from editors what books they are excited about for the summer and fall. And for book lovers to do a little literary stargazing.

“I will admit, for myself,” Dutton said, “I’m still enough of a fan that getting to meet Umberto Eco is a thrill.”

The Book Expo, which is not open to the general public, is usually held in a different city each year. In 2003, it was held in Los Angeles. Next year, it moves to Washington, D.C.

-- Scott Martelle