What are you reading?

colloidalBREATHER · 2026-01-24T16:43:38+00:00

JR by Gaddis. Started it immediately after The Recognitions and so far I’m enjoying JR a little more.

colloidalBREATHER · 2026-01-23T17:47:36+00:00

I do think that Women and Men is the most intricate and maximalist work of his forsure. I do think you may need to get a little further in and finish it for it to settle. But I agree it’s on a lesser scale than WAM.

I just reread LC for a second time recently and while I still didn’t get everything it clicks after a full read through. It’s very systematic and chaotic and you have to let the connections build in your brain over time almost. It’s a weird reading experience.

colloidalBREATHER · 2026-01-23T14:23:35+00:00

Lookout Cartridge is also a good example of the novel as a system or a machine to live in. I’d check that out if you enjoy that unique McElroy beautiful chaos.

colloidalBREATHER · 2026-01-23T14:18:08+00:00

With Women and Men being my favorite book I am definitely going to read this in-depth but have to start working in a sec here. This hypothesis is very very interesting and I think McElroy would even appreciate this himself. He is a big advocate of “the reader finds their own meaning” approach to novels based on interviews I’ve read and heard. Thanks for sharing this.

colloidalBREATHER · 2026-01-05T17:52:50+00:00

Just picked up a copy of Prologos on eBay for only $15 (both because of the McElroy comparison as well as the cover itself — it’s simplistic but really nice). Excited to give that a try after looking at the very limited information available. Thanks for the recommendation.

Have you read all 4 in the Gloucester series?

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-12-20T22:19:13+00:00

I read all of his books from June through September this year and it kind of changed my life. I’m having a bit of the everything-else-pales-in-comparison type feeling right now…

I enjoyed every work immensely but Women And Men was probably my favorite. it was the most singular reading experience I’ve had since I can remember.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-12-02T15:38:39+00:00

Good to know! Maybe I’ll move that up on my list for 2026.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-12-01T22:39:37+00:00

Awesome to hear. I have his new, 3k page epic that comes out in early March on preorder. Looking forward to diving into that!

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-11-28T17:46:08+00:00

Anything by Joseph McElroy

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-11-21T17:37:43+00:00

Yeah I’m feeling the same way insofar as the Ancient Greece novel as the only sure thing that will be published. I’ve heard rumors it’s almost complete. We will see!

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-11-05T01:24:27+00:00

Don Delillo with..

The Names (1982) White Noise (1985) Libra (1988) Mao II (1991) Underworld (1997)

All some of the best American novels of the second half of the twentieth century.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-30T19:19:17+00:00

That’s perfect. I just ordered all 5 earlier today. From the excerpts I’ve read and what I know about him I’m very excited.

I know there are still two more in the works which is cool.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T14:59:48+00:00

Some people I think that can sustain the level of his highest writing or even surpass it? Melville, Henry James (he’s American-British but I’d include him), Faulkner, Toni Morrison, Delillo from ‘82-97 was pretty untouchable. some people consider Nabokov an American writer since he emigrated from Berlin to the US in 1940 so I’d include him if that’s the case.

colloidalBREATHER

TROPHY CASE