diff --git a/bookwyrm/incoming.py b/bookwyrm/incoming.py
index 4bff25b43..a91193e41 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/incoming.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/incoming.py
@@ -217,29 +217,7 @@ def handle_create(activity):
         # we really oughtn't even be sending in this case
         return
 
-    # render the json into an activity object
-    serializer = activitypub.activity_objects[activity['object']['type']]
-    activity = serializer(**activity['object'])
-
-    # ignore notes that aren't replies to known statuses
-    if activity.type == 'Note':
-        reply = models.Status.objects.filter(
-            remote_id=activity.inReplyTo
-        ).first()
-        if not reply:
-            return
-
-    # look up books
-    book_urls = []
-    if hasattr(activity, 'inReplyToBook'):
-        book_urls.append(activity.inReplyToBook)
-    if hasattr(activity, 'tag'):
-        book_urls += [t['href'] for t in activity.tag if t['type'] == 'Book']
-    for remote_id in book_urls:
-        books_manager.get_or_create_book(remote_id)
-
-    model = models.activity_models[activity.type]
-    status = activity.to_model(model)
+    status = status_builder.create_status(activity['object'])
 
     # create a notification if this is a reply
     if status.reply_parent and status.reply_parent.user.local:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/remote_user.py b/bookwyrm/remote_user.py
index 372f97a8c..b3408c712 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/remote_user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/remote_user.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ from django.core.files.base import ContentFile
 from django.db import transaction
 
 from bookwyrm import activitypub, models
+from bookwyrm import status as status_builder
+from bookwyrm.tasks import app
 
 
 def get_or_create_remote_user(actor):
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ def get_or_create_remote_user(actor):
         user.avatar.save(*avatar)
 
     if user.bookwyrm_user:
-        get_remote_reviews(user)
+        get_remote_reviews.delay(user.id)
     return user
 
 
@@ -78,8 +80,10 @@ def get_avatar(data):
     return [image_name, image_content]
 
 
-def get_remote_reviews(user):
+@app.task
+def get_remote_reviews(user_id):
     ''' ingest reviews by a new remote bookwyrm user '''
+    user = models.User.objects.get(id=user_id)
     outbox_page = user.outbox + '?page=true'
     response = requests.get(
         outbox_page,
@@ -87,9 +91,8 @@ def get_remote_reviews(user):
     )
     data = response.json()
     # TODO: pagination?
-    for status in data['orderedItems']:
-        if status.get('bookwyrmType') == 'Review':
-            activitypub.Review(**status).to_model(models.Review)
+    for activity in data['orderedItems']:
+        status_builder.create_status(activity)
 
 
 def get_or_create_remote_server(domain):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/status.py b/bookwyrm/status.py
index 92a0379ef..ed1befac6 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/status.py
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 ''' Handle user activity '''
 from datetime import datetime
 
-from bookwyrm import models
+from bookwyrm import activitypub, books_manager, models
+from bookwyrm.books_manager import get_or_create_book
 from bookwyrm.sanitize_html import InputHtmlParser
 
 
@@ -12,6 +13,37 @@ def delete_status(status):
     status.save()
 
 
+def create_status(activity):
+    ''' unfortunately, it's not QUITE as simple as deserialiing it '''
+    # render the json into an activity object
+    serializer = activitypub.activity_objects[activity['type']]
+    activity = serializer(**activity)
+    try:
+        model = models.activity_models[activity.type]
+    except KeyError:
+        # not a type of status we are prepared to deserialize
+        return None
+
+    # ignore notes that aren't replies to known statuses
+    if activity.type == 'Note':
+        reply = models.Status.objects.filter(
+            remote_id=activity.inReplyTo
+        ).first()
+        if not reply:
+            return None
+
+    # look up books
+    book_urls = []
+    if hasattr(activity, 'inReplyToBook'):
+        book_urls.append(activity.inReplyToBook)
+    if hasattr(activity, 'tag'):
+        book_urls += [t['href'] for t in activity.tag if t['type'] == 'Book']
+    for remote_id in book_urls:
+        books_manager.get_or_create_book(remote_id)
+
+    return activity.to_model(model)
+
+
 def create_generated_note(user, content, mention_books=None, privacy='public'):
     ''' a note created by the app about user activity '''
     # sanitize input html
diff --git a/celerywyrm/celery.py b/celerywyrm/celery.py
index 28b4a2005..361b76ec3 100644
--- a/celerywyrm/celery.py
+++ b/celerywyrm/celery.py
@@ -24,3 +24,4 @@ app.autodiscover_tasks(['bookwyrm'], related_name='books_manager')
 app.autodiscover_tasks(['bookwyrm'], related_name='emailing')
 app.autodiscover_tasks(['bookwyrm'], related_name='goodreads_import')
 app.autodiscover_tasks(['bookwyrm'], related_name='incoming')
+app.autodiscover_tasks(['bookwyrm'], related_name='remote_user')