Back in June, I mentioned re-reading David Foster Wallace's 1996 novel Infinite Jest during the off-season. At that time, three commenters mentioned the possibility of reading it also.Game 7 of the World Series is scheduled for November 5. We could start on Monday, November 8 -- which, re the chronology of the novel, would be a great day to start. If we follow the same 75 pages per week schedule as Infinite Summer, we'd finish a week or two after the arrival of pitchers and catchers.
It seems like a pretty quick pace. Maybe it'll be fun. Or maybe it'll fizzle out before Xmas. Anyone interested*?
* When it was released three years ago, the 10th anniversary paperback was only $10. Cheap!
Yeah. Night games in November. Sounds like real fun.
ReplyDeleteWrong post, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI...I...I want to do it. Should I do it? I need encouragement.
ReplyDeleteZen, what is holding you back?
ReplyDeleteYou are hereby encouraged. But if you give me more specifics, I can provide better encouragement.
I attempted to get through Infinite Jest when it was first published, but failed miserably, so I'd be very interested in giving it another shot.
ReplyDeleteCount me in!
I'm in, too. Missed IJ first time around, but recently read the Kenyon commencement address and realized I'd better get back to it...
ReplyDeleteI say, let's go for it. I'll try to shuffle it between all my university stuff. 75 pages per week should be doable, for sure.
ReplyDeleteRut-roh! ... Well, this will give me something to do rather than using my time this winter more productively.
ReplyDeleteBut if you give me more specifics, I can provide better encouragement.
I'm curious to see what L would say, but my view is: "It's a book. You wanna read it? Read it!"
I appreciate the encouragement! Sorry for my whiny solicitation of same. I just get worried about overcommitment of time. But I'll give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteI'm in. Sounds like a great way to pass the offseason
ReplyDeleteI just read the Kenyon address for the first time. Wow. I'm double in now.
ReplyDeleteI'm game to give it a go, but I give no commitment that I'll keep up. Always wanted to read it, though.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to be reading and discussing, or just reading?
ReplyDeleteIf just reading, someone should set up a blog to post the current section, people can leave comments, etc.
If you're discussing, you should probably have a discussion board.
My grand idea is to post a short summary of what the upcoming week will cover and then we'd discuss (or ask questions) or post favourite bits.
ReplyDeleteI grabbed "Infinite Winter" on blogspot and was thinking of having a separate blog, but then wondered why not just do it here.
Have a post called "Week 3" or whatever and all IJ-related stuff for that week will go there. But then if we all moved to the "Week 4" post, that wouldn't allow good flow ...
An actual board (like Threadsox) seems like too much for 5-6 people.
Thoughts?
I just read the Kenyon address for the first time. Wow. I'm double in now.
ReplyDeleteMany of the same themes. In fact, the fish/water joke is in IJ.
But then what if I share a helpful link? Without bookmarking it, it would quickly get lost.
ReplyDeleteI won't be reading, but I'm an organizer, especially of people and projects. My take:
ReplyDelete- you definitely need a separate blog. link to it here, but don't do the read here.
- it will be better for both JoS and IJ if you separate them. you should trust me on this.
- a discussion board is a great tool, no matter how people are using it. being able to separate discussion topics into threads, no matter how imperfectly, facilitates discussion.
- you can use the blog to post the schedule, then link to the discussion board for everything else.
I agree with Laura on all points. Gamethreading is a stretch for what blogspot can handle in terms of conversation. Trying to discuss the book in this format would be very tough.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zen.
ReplyDeleteA discussion board is also useful for people who join later, or (since this is inevitable) for when people are in different parts of the book. Each reader and read and post at her/his own pace without passing through spoilers.
A discussion board is also more democratic, less centralized.
A blog is simply the wrong format for book discussion.
typo
ReplyDeleteEach reader and read and post
Each reader CAN read and post...
Even for a handful of people?
ReplyDeleteI'll see what Cakey did for Threadsox. I think that was a free platform.
I appreciate the encouragement! Sorry for my whiny solicitation of same. I just get worried about overcommitment of time.
ReplyDeleteOh, just saw this. I am the same way - constantly juggling and constantly worried about having enough time to meet my commitments.
The good thing about this is that if at some point you are overcommitted and need to drop out, there are no negative consequences. Hopefully you will have enjoyed the time you spent with it, and that's its own reward.
I'm curious to see what L would say
ReplyDeleteIt depends what the stumbling block is. I can encourage anyone to do anything, if I know what's holding them back.
Even for a handful of people?
ReplyDelete1 - You don't know how many people will join. There may be many readers who never post, and who you never hear from.
2 - Yes.
3 - Room for growth.
4 - Forget trying to do this from a blog. It will suck. You will be setting yourself up for aggravations.
5 - Trust me. I am, after all, a Master of Information. (Not yet, but will be.)
And now I am doing what I told Tim I would never do, posting at JoS instead of reading between classes. So bye now.
ReplyDeleteBought it. US $17.99. I'm sure the $10 version is available online, but I just have to go brick and mortar these days when I can help it.
ReplyDeleteMessage board it is.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know when it's set up.
Can anyone join in on this? I might be interested. Of course I would have to purchase the book, but I'm sure that wouldn't be difficult.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone join in on this?
ReplyDeleteOf course.
Can anyone join in on this?
ReplyDeleteOf course.
Unless it's a Yankee fan... (-;
Unless it's a Yankee fan...
ReplyDeleteThey're eliminated by default aren't they? I thought being able to read and comprehend something other than Jeter propaganda would be a prerequisite.