The reading list

I never know what to ask for Christmas, so I usually just share my Amazon wish list.

Ta da.

In the year of not buying stuff, books won't be an issue, for a while at least.

Comments

[Philippa Dunjay]

I joined a library last year and it was the best thing I did. Recommended if you run out, although there's little fear of that with Infinite Jest.

[northern]

Oh yes, we religiously take our children, but I really can't say why I don't use it mysef- I guess I'm one of those who likes a house stuffed with books, in the hope it will rub off on the offspring, but it's been a long time since I re-read anything.
No time.
Too much I haven't read yet.

I'm curious what I'll make of Infinite Jest, while I'm a big believer in sticking with books, life's too short these days to persevere with something you just don't like (I actually enjoyed William Gaddis' the Recognitions, despite the labour). We shall see, I'm hopeful.

[Will]

Infinite Jest is great, but if you don't like it/don't find it worth sticking with, you must read some of his essays. The essay on 'Federer as a religious experience' is utterly brilliant (he's a former semi-pro tennis player). It can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/sports/playmagazine/20federer.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

One I got that I very much think you'd like: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakfast-With-Socrates-greatest-Philosophy/dp/184668241X

[Philippa Dunjay]

Yes - for me the time pressure of returning items to the library meant I actually made the time to sit down to read more often, which I didn't when I stuffed my shelves with Oxfam finds that would always be there.

I didn't enjoy reading Infinite Jest but I'm very glad to have read it. Hyper-maximalism isn't my preferred style, but it's just a landmark of modern literature. You could also read his short story collections to dip a toe in instead.