Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace discussion

I just noticed my real-life friend Brigid just joined the group. Part of this is excitement at her joining us ('cause she's awesome!), but also this thread can be used by others to introduce themselves if they are new to the crew or are just dropping in for the group read or what not.

Brigid, feel free to say hello. Most of these people are cool. Sometimes.

Unlike you Jason who is cool all the time? :P
I guess since you started a whole thread I have to introduce myself.

Hi everyone, I'm Jason's real-life friend Brigid. I've had the "pleasure" of knowing Jason for the last 13 years. I also grew up in the same state(IL) as our author DFW. I've wanted to read Infinite Jest for awhile now and a group seemed like the perfect push to get me started and stay on track. So, thanks for the add and I look forward to tackling IJ together.

Don't kid yourself, Brig. I started a whole new thread because I am self-centered.

welcome aboard the crazy train.... :)

Hello.

Welcome, Brigid!

Hi Brigid! So glad you're joining us.

Hullo Brigid! :)

"Say hello to my Little Friend..."
My knee-jerk reaction was "Wait, I don't remember clicking on the Moby-Dick dick-jokes thread...."

(And hullo there, Brigid!)

Madeleine wrote: ""Say hello to my Little Friend..."
My knee-jerk reaction was "Wait, I don't remember clicking on the Moby-Dick dick-jokes thread....""

Laughing here. :)

Hahah...next time I see Scarface, I'm going to think of Madeleine's little joke. :)

This is going to be a great group I know it,but in fact I am hitting the road and have no idea where I will be in January, so I most likely will not be reading with you. :-(
BUT I have a marvelous friend who on 10/15/12 will be commencing the task in his group Brain Pain http://www.goodreads.com/group/search...

I mentioned this group to Jim and would like to invite him,but maybe thats for Kris to do,IYP (not sure of protocol here)

Yay! I am soo excited to join this group. I just finished 2666 by Bolano and a friend commented that since I liked it, I will also like this book by Wallace. *keeping my fingers crossed*

Hi everyone. I just joined this group. Thanks for having me.
I tried reading IJ this year but failed to finish, although I was enjoying it. I am looking forward to trying again with all of you.

Petra--i failed at even beginning to read IJ this past year. ;)

Hi everyone!
I began reading IJ in August.
I am still reading.
I am 40% through, and still don't quite know what the story is about.
It has been painful going it alone.
I will probably still be reading when the group catches up with me.
DFW is kicking my ass.

Like Sunny in Wonderland (great name) I started reading this in August. I made the mistake of ordering the kindle version and I had some difficulty getting to the footnotes which, I've been told, are integral to the plot. That was one of many excuses I've used to explain putting it down. Happily, this group came to my attention (thanks, Jason) and my print copy came today. Amazon is amazing-only two days! (Never pay extra because they seem to send everything out immediately.) I'm ready to roll.

Gary, that was a problem for me, too, and may have contributed to my putting the book down. For our upcoming read, I'm planning on reading on my ereader and getting a paper copy of the book from the library for the footnotes.

Petra wrote: "Gary, that was a problem for me, too, and may have contributed to my putting the book down. For our upcoming read, I'm planning on reading on my ereader and getting a paper copy of the book from th..."

You will want a hard copy to read and at least 3 bookmarks. Trust me you will cherish a copy that you can mark up!

Sunny in Wonderland wrote: "Hi everyone!
I began reading IJ in August.
I am still reading.
I am 40% through, and still don't quite know what the story is about.
It has been painful going it alone.
I will probably still be rea..."
Be patient ... It starts to tie together the further you go, and don't forget to stop and laugh.

Jerry wrote: "Petra wrote: "Gary, that was a problem for me, tooYou will want a hard copy to read and at least 3 bookmarks. Trust me you will cherish a copy that you can mark up!..."

Huh....interested. Can you elaborate, Jerry? Without spoilers, can you speak on what would be marked up? I sometimes highlight books so can understand the need to at times. If IJ is one of this type of book, I'll start looking for a decent used copy.

eBooks are the best way for me to highlight and make notes. It's quicker on the searches, too.

Petra wrote: "Jerry wrote: "Petra wrote: "Gary, that was a problem for me, tooYou will want a hard copy to read and at least 3 bookmarks. Trust me you will cherish a copy that you can mark up!..."

Huh....intere..."

Petra wrote: "Jerry wrote: "Petra wrote: "Gary, that was a problem for me, tooYou will want a hard copy to read and at least 3 bookmarks. Trust me you will cherish a copy that you can mark up!..."

I have never been one to write in books, mostly because I anticipate either reading them and giving them to someone to read because I liked it, or taking it to the used book store because I didnt. iJ was different for me. I totally recommend it, but will always keep this first copy I bought because I felt driven to make notes in the margins underline passages, about insights, important things, things that tie together with other things in the book, vocabulary worse, thematic passages. I don't want to spoil anything for you, but I will tell you as a reader of mostly pop fiction I took this book on as challenge to myself. Could I do it? Well I did, and given that, anyone can. It's difficult in places, and will make your brain itch, but it is atop my list of best books I have ever read. Still interested?

Huh....intere..."

Petra wrote: "Jerry wrote: "Petra wrote: "Gary, that was a problem for me, tooYou will want a hard copy to read and at least 3 bookmarks. Trust me you will cherish a copy that you can mark up!..."

Huh....intere..."

Aloha wrote: "eBooks are the best way for me to highlight and make notes. It's quicker on the searches, too."

Bird Brian wrote: "Marieke wrote: "Petra--i failed at even beginning to read IJ this past year. ;)"

The year isn't over yet!"

Just wondering.... How far into it were you?

Jerry wrote: "Still interested?...."

Most definitely! Thanks, Jerry.

Gary. HEY, GARY! I finally finished it!!! :)
Guess what, though --- now I have to read it again.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...