Tim Paggi > Recent Status Updates

I think some of these people are in danger

I can’t see how any of this is going to end well

Also who the hell are the random Canadian dudes in wheelchairs? Why do they keep getting screen time?

There is no—and I mean absolutely zero—attempt to explicitly connect this book’s themes of addiction, anxiety and entertainment by the author. Not that I’ve discerned yet. It’s absolutely up to the reader, so far, to fill in what, if any, connection they can. And in this way, this book is slowly making me a better person.

-listened to 14+ hours of this bad boy both ways on a drive to Providence and back
-great way to take in the book
-the Eschaton section alone (in which students play a hybrid game of Risk, tennis and dodgeball) took me from Stamford to Trenton
-section describing the heroin withdrawal process for the trans sex worker is a rollercoaster
-AA and addiction section: chefs kiss.
-wtf was the research process for IJ? Wild

More testing

Testing

First of all, for any experienced Goodreads users, will I be able to see all of my updates later, like a reading diary, using this app? I just realized I’m unclear if that’s how it works..like there’s a possibility, even in our age of corporate data preciousness, that my previous updates might vanish after posting a new one? I’m going to test this out and see and post my real update next. /boomerism

3/24/2026:

-so far, I am kind of constantly in awe of this thing and really enjoying it
-mentally, trying to draw connections between the Incandenzas and the Gately contingent. Am I missing something?
-fun vid phone essay is very prescient
-the whole idea of the big, masculine tome: I’m still processing, but this book is real deal
-dad monologue is powerful
-props to the narrator for doing all this

So I am listening to snippets of this 65-hour audiobook during some—but not all—of my daily commutes and undercaffeinated, A.M. ironing board sessions. Needless to say, I will follow up with thoughts later in 2026, and will be processing it to the best of my abilities until then.

This time for realsies

Just started but I can tell I’m gonna love this one.

Okay I’m going in 🥽😬🫣

I’m taking my time with this one. It’s intense and poetic, and set within an alien social order (some sort of post-apocalyptic convent) without any exposition. Reminds me of Shadow of the Torturer. Really digging so far but definitely going back and rereading sections.

I didn't know what this was heading in. Then after the first part, I knew less, and now I know nothing, and I'm completely hooked!

So far loving how office-y the writing style is. Maximally officecore.

I just started but already it’s one of my favorite books.

F’in wild.

Listening to the Jon Padgett narration of this while sifting through monstrous spreadsheets all week at work. More thoughts later.

Insightful story about the Korean American experience, with some sinister (maybe cannibalistic?) vibes. I have read no spoilers and have no idea where this is going, lol. Reading for Baltimore Horror Club Book Club.

So far this book rules. Digging the Lynchian, 90’s goth/industrial vibes and Koje’s descriptive powers Re: indescribable horrors beyond comprehension

I do t know if this is gonna be good or what. I just want to read more haunted house tales, since my next novel will be a haunted house story of sorts.

This is required reading for all Americans. I’m halfway through and convinced this is one of my all-time favorites. It is insanely good. I am taking notes. I am inspired. A full review forthcoming someday soon-ish.

I’m about a third through and feel compelled to let Goodreads know that this is, so far, very good. Very very impressive. Maybe one of the best contemporary horror/transgressive collections in years.