This is a special book club that will span over the course of 4 months this summer. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace was published in 1996 and is considered one of the great encyclipedic novels of its time. Similar to novels like Ulysses by James Joyce or Moby-Dick; or The Whale by Herman Melville, Infinite Jest presents an unconventional and complex narritive that has proven to challenge and intrigue the bravest of readers. Infinite Jest is set in a dystopian future that exposes themes of addiction, depression, obsession, entertainment, and the mad hunt for purpose.
If you ever wanted to dive into this 1,000 page novel, now is the time to venture in. This book is best digested with friends.
Here is our Infinite Summer Book Club meeting break down:
Wednesday, May 20th 7pm | Introduction Meeting
Wednesday, June 17th 7pm | Pages 1 - 242 (25%)
Wednesday, July 22nd 7pm | Pages 242 - 506 (50%)
Wednesday, August 19th 7pm | Pages 506 - 759 (75%)
Wednesday, September 23rd 7pm | Pages 759 - 981 (100%)
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Meet your club leaders Matt Yard & Michael Newton:
Matt Yard is an amazing big book nerd, english teacher, and all around fantastic human.
Michael Newton has been deeply involved in the operations of the Asbury Book Cooperative since February 2020, when he joined the steering committee that helped form ABC. Since then he helped shape ABC's culture, policies, and programs. He is especially proud of developing and managing the used book section. He's been the store's general manager since May 2023 and has now moved into a Directorial role since the store became a non-profit organization in 2025. Michael writes fiction and his work has appeared in BOMB, In The Mood, and Vol. 1 Brooklyn. He is formerly an associate editor at Zone Books and editor at Ugly Duckling Press. He hosts ABC's long-running Crime Book Club and the Lunar Flowers Poetry Club. Michael is married and has two dogs.