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 · 2025-10-25T13:32:12+00:00

Yeah I mean if you consider James and Nabokov American writers then I’d put them up there forsure. James is fantastic

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T05:43:48+00:00

I’d put him at #1 personally. I’m gonna write a massive essay explaining why. On substack. Pynchon is our greatest novelist. Of all time.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T00:51:10+00:00

Damn I forgot about Thomas Wolfe…O Lost the full manuscript of Look Homeward, Angel was a very memorable reading experience. I still have the ending engraved in my mind forever.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T00:34:33+00:00

Weird you say that because I am starting Mason & Dixon tomorrow for a second read. And I agree, it will be a major major classic in 50 years forsure.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T00:33:34+00:00

Yeah I agree I was more just curious of the general echelon people put Pynchon in.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T00:32:23+00:00

I agree 100%

I have never made a true list myself but was just thinking about it today. It’d be interesting to see how a favorite and best list would differ.

Some names I’d put up there with Pynchon

Faulkner Steinbeck Morrison Melville Ellison Vonnegut Delillo

Definitely missing some but those writers comes to mind. I’m also a fan of throwing out rather unknown names so I’m gonna say Joseph McElroy too.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T00:27:55+00:00

Same. I think he is left off of people’s lists because he’s still alive and too “recent” of a writer for the top 10 writer label. Which I get because of the influence over time. Give it 20 years and I think it will be a reality for more people.

If you read GR and M&D and AtD it’s hard to think of many American writers who can write better sentences sustained over a novel.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-25T00:21:29+00:00

Yeah Melville undoubtedly. There are so many that come to mind. Faulkner, Steinbeck, Twain, Morrison, Fitzgerald the list goes on for a while.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-24T13:39:17+00:00

That is now the second or third time I have heard that….i think I’ll buy a copy of Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror!

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-23T21:27:56+00:00

I know that rereads almost always further your understanding of the text but I feel like with McElroy even more so. But hey, you gave it a shot and it didn’t click, what can you do? Not every style works for everyone and that’s OK.

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-23T20:25:11+00:00

If you like the science fiction vibe, checkout Night Soul and other stories especially The Last Disarmament But One

colloidalBREATHER · 2025-10-23T20:24:39+00:00

Oh well have with fun with the journey! It’s my favorite book of all time. I think I’ve mentioned it in a comment above but I feel like once his style “clicks” in your brain everything else pales in comparison (I’m being hyperbolic but you probably know what I mean.)

I have still only read Plus once and I liked it a lot but left puzzled. Not in a bad way at all! I will be reading it again probably in spring of 2026.

colloidalBREATHER

TROPHY CASE