It’s 2011. The end of September, and a friend of mine mentions his favorite book happens to be Infinite Jest. “Cool” I say “Why don’t I give it a whirl?” So the next day he hands me the book and warns me that not many people he has lent it to have finished it. “I’ll finish it!” I declare. I go home that day open the first page, read the first chapter 3 times out of confusion, and shut the book.

It remained shut on my desk for 3 months.

It’s December, 2011, and the book remains on my desk. I have a holiday get together with my friends at my house, and my friend, the owner of the book, sees Infinite Jest just sitting there, and comments on my lack of progress. I think to myself “I’ve been caught.” so I reply with a quick “I’ll finish it soon.” Now I’ve set myself up for a rather uneventful winter break.

Christmas Eve: Read Infinite Jest
Christmas: Read Infinite Jest
Days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Read Infinite Jest
New Year’s Eve: Read Infinite Jest
First Day of 2012: Read Infinite Jest
Second Day of 2012: Read Infinite Jest
Third Day of 2012: Finish Infinite Jest

Quite delightful, eh?

It’s January 4, 2012, and I walk into school gleaming because I just finished an immense book; however, internally my brain is constantly buzzing with furious thoughts about the book and excited thoughts about the story and what I gathered from it. After two classes, which within a block schedule constitutes a large amount of time, it was time for lunch and for the owner of that copy of Infinite Jest to be reunited with his favorite book.

Setting down that book by the owner’s book bag and walking away, because I’m awkward, was like dropping off a beloved puppy in the woods.

Unfortunately, that book grew on me and I hate to admit it, but it might be my favorite book.

It’s been 4 days since I’ve been graced with the presence of that book…. someone send me to Ennet House, I’m hooked. 

7:29 pm  •  8 January 2012  •  9 notes