In honor of Labor Day, I wanted to get your input on choosing a longer book. I get restless easily, and even if I like the book, I get tired of being in the same world if it takes me too long. But every now and then, I like going down the rabbit hole of a longer work, especially if it's a little weird. These 3 have been on my list for awhile: are any of these favorites of yours? Or did any disappoint, even if you usually like the author?
Billypar 1. Black Leopard Red Wolf, Marlon James; 2. Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace; 3. IQ84, Haruki Murakami 2d
Ruthiella I‘ve read the James and the Wallace. Infinite Jest was very challenging. I‘d say read it first so you can tick it off the list. 2d
Liz_M I enjoyed the experience of reading IJ, there plenty of web references/ guides (Infinite Summer). 1Q84 was okay kind of creepy in gross creepy old man way. I loved MJ's ABHo7K, but not could not get into Leopard/Wolf. (edited) 2d
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Graywacke I‘ve only read IJ. It‘s wordy, maximalist, and doesn‘t hold your hand. I did thoroughly enjoy reading it. But i was all-in. 2d
BkClubCare I have only managed 1Q84, never felt like a chore though it is weird. I have only attempted the other two; maybe someday I‘ll try again. (edited) 2d
BarbaraBB Echoing @BkClubCare . 1Q84 is the only one I read but it‘s very entertaining and easy to read. 2d
Billypar @Ruthiella That's a good thought: if I don't know how long I'll stay motivated to read a longer book (and I truly don't), why not choose the most challenging one? 2d
Billypar @Liz_M Yeah, I really loved both ABHo7K and Book of Night Women, but I've been hesitant to take up the new series given the genre switch. Whereas with IQ84, it seems like the consensus is that if you already like Murakami, you'll like IQ84, even if not his best and we just have to accept a few bizarre/creepy sex scenes thrown in, as with all his novels. Good point about the online resources available for IJ! 2d
Billypar @Graywacke Good to know: I think there's a consensus in this informal poll for Infinite Jest! 2d
Billypar @BkClubCare @BarbaraBB No matter what I read next, I'm probably going to read IQ84 at some point: Murakami's ideas are quite strange, but they've also got a compulsive quality. He knows how to make you want to keep reading, no matter the length. 1d
LeahBergen Exactly what @Ruthiella said! I was glad to have read it. 😆 1d
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