Infinite Summer
As I mentioned the other day on Twitter, I’ve decided to join the many in their pursuit of an Infinite Summer. For those of you that aren’t in the know, here’s a little about the project:
Join endurance bibliophiles from around the world in reading Infinite Jest over the summer of 2009, June 21st to September 22nd. A thousand pages1 รท 92 days = 75 pages a week. No sweat.
I’ve got my bookmarks printed and was lucky enough to score a first edition hardcover of Infinite Jest. I’m not sure why, but a first edition hardcover just seems a little bit cooler than a paperback. I’ll probably be cursing myself though when the behemoth of a book begins to weigh on me…literally.
As with many of the others embarking on this summer reading challenge, there’s no solid reason behind why I decided to read this book now. I think part of it has to do with the outpouring of emotion following David Foster Wallace’s death. At the time, I read everything I could get my hands on written by Wallace – I figured there must be something to this guy. I had planned to dig right in to IJ, but alas, the library had but one copy which was checked out. So I read what I could online and picked up The Broom of the System at the local big box book store. For whatever reason, I got about a third of the way into that book and dropped the ball. It currently sits with its lone bookmark gathering dust on the coffee table. It’s not that I didn’t like it, it’s just…well, other things came up. But that won’t happen with Infinite Jest…this I promise.
Come along on the journey, don’t think too hard, just hard enough. And if I can leave you with one piece of advice, follow these rules for reading IJ.
June 27th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I wish you every success. A few years ago I had my own Infinite Summer after years and years of false starts, and did so without the aid of a reading guide or even the tips you have above (although I ended up doing most of those things eventually anyway). This almost makes me want to read it again right now, but no, no, I don’t think so. Besides, my 1st edition hardcover is with someone else right now. Maybe I can force them to embark with you.
And when you’re done, read The Broom Of The System! It’s a walk in the park next to the tome you’ll just have finished.
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