I’m a big David Foster Wallace fan.
But you don’t see people reading DFW out and about in London. Particularly not the mighty, mighty (in size alone) Infinite Jest.
So when I spot someone on the tube hoiking DFW, I tail them.
And if they’re getting on a tube train that’s going in the opposite direction to me, I get on that train too.
Just to catch a glimpse of them reading DFW.
You’ll note that he’s 3/4 of the way through, which is 9/10 more than I managed of the might, mighty Jest..
"I don’t know about you, but seeing someone read a book on the Tube often gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that this potentially wasted part of the day is enriched by a good book. The rarity of book lovers gracing the seats of the Underground these days makes me feel both sad and like I’m in a secret club that is only acknowledged by a sideways glance at the books of fellow commuters.
So on discovering the Human Reading Being blog, I was terrified that I’d spot a terrible picture of myself reading something embarrassing and then overjoyed that this humble daily habit is being celebrated.
It's part of Steve Wasserman's Read Me Something You Love project which involves him asking authors and non-authors alike, to read a piece of literature they love before leading a discussion on the piece. If you love submerging yourself in the imagination of others, come and celebrate this dying pastime."