I haven’t read the book, but according to the Wikipedia article, the “notes” contain a frame story meant to connect the other short stories together.^1^

1. In general, I find that footnotes in academic writing are only worth reading if you want more information on the noted item, but footnotes in fiction are integral to the narrative (and are usually used to add another narrative voice distinct from the main narrator).

If the book is that boring you’re under no obligation to finish it.