Natalie’s Comments (group member since Jun 20, 2016)

Natalie’s comments from the Infinite Jest: First timer group.

This is what I have in mind for my reading schedule. I'm simply going by the 100 pages a week goal, but this is flexible, life is complicated.

June 19 - 26: 100
June 27 - 4: 200
July 5 - 12: 300
July 13 - 20: 400
July 21 - 28: 500

This is a very basic outline, I'm going to see where I am by near the end of July and adjust from there! This isn't a strict read-along but I want to keep myself motivated. I began reading 1Q84 which is similar in size and it's sitting half-read by my bed as I lost steam. Now I've left it so long, it takes a while to get back into the world and the atmosphere of the book is lost.

This is what I don't want to happen with IJ! But I've heard it can also be overwhelming so pacing is also important.

(Currently on p.65)

Peggy wrote: "Just finished IJ yesterday. Took me 6 months. Have never read anything like it nor do I think I ever will again. Most amazing book ever. So much so that because it ended so abruptly I'm going to st..."

Thanks for the feedback Peggy!
These all sound great and I will definitely be taking them on board. I'm on target for my first 100 pages by Sunday so will have an update then.
I've read a lot of other books that have difficult timeline structures so I'm really enjoying it so far. It reminds me a little of Haruki Murakami books in as much as the chapters are like short scenes, both fast and slow; it reads almost like a play!

Let me know if you decide to re-read it! I imagine you get a different experience every time.

SO!
Before I even opened this book I decided to do some research, looked on various blogs etc but had to stop before I stumbled into some *spoilers*

Things I have taken into consideration:

~ TWO BOOKMARKS (minimum)
I have placed one at the front and one at the beginning of the endnotes to make it easier to flip back and forth. There have been other suggestions of a certain page that helps with the timeline structure, but I wish I hadn't read about it. It has obviously been placed at a certain part of the novel, by Wallace, because that is when he thought we should read it.

~ PENS/HIGHLIGHTERS/PENCIL/PAD
There are varied tactics when it comes to reading this books; sawing it into thirds, color-coding, buying two copies. But I think this is all just personal preference. I am one of those people who like the get comfortable with a book, bend the spine, dog-ear the pages, coffee and chocolate stains. So I was pretty excited about the idea of writing within the pages, highlighting passages that I love, make note of the characters and the time line. Of course, this can all be done by making notes on a separate pad or buying an electronic version.

~ TAKE TIME TO DIGEST
I think that the sheer size of the novel is what puts most people off, making it seem more difficult than it maybe is. So, I'm going with the divide and conquer method. Every 30 pages, I'm going to take a break and possibly make notes.
I read that whilst preparing for his role in The End of the Tour movie, Jason Segal would read 100 pages a week and I think that is pretty reasonable and what I am going to aim for.

Other than that I am going to try and not put too much pressure on myself or my brain and try to just enjoy it for what it is.

Has anyone else got any key tips that have helped them, or planning on doing before they begin?

Also, I'm planning on getting to page 100 by the end of this week (June 26th '16).
I'll create a new update of my thoughts! Let me know if you want do a read-along!