EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Hey ya'll! I had a huge response for a Buddy Read of by Mark Z. Danielewski !!

Now, due to the interesting set up of this novel I do recommend getting a physical copy!

Who all is excited to start this in February?

I’m in!

I am. I have a copy. I'm not sure if you're planning on setting a time limit when we're supposed to finish it, but just looking at the book I know it's going to take me a while. Also, I don't think I have ever come across anyone who thought this is an easy read...

Since it is a rather large read and the format isn't traditional, I was thinking we could take our time. We can either divide it up by chapters or pages, if someone wants a hard outline of a pace.

Personally I'm thinking a goal of 100 pages a week, meaning it will take about a month an a half to finish. I know there are several plots within so I'm planning on taking notes. I am open to any suggestions or special considerations regarding it.

Any thoughts?

@Andy, I'm happy with your suggestions, 100 pages a week sounds good to me. Does anyone else still want to read this book in February?

I'll admit, I'm probably going to be a little slower then anticipated in the reading of this. I still have three books I started in January going (slowly picking them off). So far I've gotten through the introduction by Johnny Turant.

As you come to it (or if you are already past it) what do you think?

I read just over 40 pages and then felt I had to give myself a break, because I was going back too often, flicking back the pages to check if I had missed a thread or a passage. I suspect this may not the right way to tackle this book. It's meant to be re-read several times and on first reading it's probably quite pointless to become too wrapped up in tiny details. I stopped just after the passage where reading is compared to riddles, so maybe this is the reaction Danielewski wanted to evoke to point up the fact that House of Leaves is also a puzzle and trying to decipher it may be frustrating. It also got me thinking whether the footnotes refer to real sources. I checked ''Riddles Without'' by Edith Skourja that Danielewski references and found that no such book has ever been published.
I'm determined to finish it, but I think my progress will be quite slow. I feel I'm ready to go back to it now, so a few pages at a time and eventually I might reach the end. How are you doing? How far have you got with it?

Did you read the intro? It strait up says that half the sources don't exist. I find if you follow the foot notes right away without waiting it makes more sense. It's a story of several layers. I'm still only on page 25 but I'm enjoying it immensely.

Thanks for the tip. I had a longish break and must have forgotten the part where it says the sources aren't genuine. Got sidetracked by a couple of shorter and more accessible novels. The Lonely Londoners, which was just lovely.
Look forward to hearing how you're getting on. I'm glad you're not rushing through it because I'd find it hard to keep up.

I literally have post it notes at the end of each chapter with my notes too.

I've often seen it described as a very scary book. Are you finding it scary? I'm not, not yet, but I expect the frightening parts might start appearing later.

Not yet! Books dont tend to scare me but we shall see!

Okay, so this pains me, but I'm going to have to push this until April, I haven't touched it in weeks and I have way to many irons in the fire for the brain power needed for this book. Trying to read the Count of Monte Cristo at the same time and they both just sit there, ignored, because they both chunky.

I still really want to read it, I just was over ambitious.

I bought this book last year, and look at it occasionally but have yet to feel "ready" for it. I'm actually reading the Count of Monte Cristo right now, too, so it's obviously not the time! I would love to join in on HOLs with a buddy, if anyone is still interested. I'm way ahead of my reading challenge goal for the year, so I can spare the time!