The Bum of Padelford

By Josh Johnson

"A misfit's guide to navigating graduate school, discovering friendships, and securing shelter-one anime binge or dorm hall disaster at a time." Legally-blind computer programmer, table-top Game Master, suspicious outsider, anime otaku, and dish-washing hermit: Josh Johnson's graduate years at the University of Washington were anything but ordinary. The Bum of Padelford is a genre-defying memoir packed with nerdy misadventures, heartfelt friendships, and spiritual reflections. Chronicling his journey from a South Texan nobody to a campus mystery, Johnson shares a refreshingly honest and often ludicrous account of a graduate-school life gone off-script. Whether weathering overnight study sessions, managing D&D campaigns, or just ensuring a cozy place to rest for the night, this memoir invites readers into a world where being the outlier is exactly what makes life worth remembering. Perfect for readers who love quirky campus stories, fandom culture, or inspirational underdog journeys, this memoir proves that real growth often comes through the most unexpected detours.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1665775564
• ISBN13: 9781665775564
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Length: 662 Pages
• Weight: 2.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.5" x 9.3"