Life Digest 2026 Weeks 3-4
12-25 January 2026
Books read
Theatre of Cruelty - Terry Pratchett (1993)
The poor gnomes ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
A Decolonial Feminism - Françoise Vergès (2019)
This book sparked hours-long bedtime conversation between me and my partner, talking about the intersection of capitalism, imperialism, misogyny, colonialism, and patriarchy. My partner felt very vindicated regarding his hatred for NGOs. I don't believe I have a good enough vocabulary to articulate what this book was all about, and how important it was. But it was truly, coming from my ignorant and privileged existence, eye-opening; I can't unsee what I have learned to discern from this book.
The Hidden Girl and Other Stories - Ken Liu (2020)
It started off with a great story but then by the 7th story felt thematically repetitive. I can only read so much stories about technocratic dystopia sequentially. If I have to read one more story about digital consciousness, I’ll lose it. There were a couple of fantasy short stories in here but they felt like simplistic explorations for future, longer stories, instead of standalone stories. The second to last story was great as well.
Under the Jaguar Sun - Italo Calvino (1986)
Started this small Penguin Archive book to read between and break the monotony of the stories of Ken Liu’s short story collection. A meditative and sensuous experience. I’m not sure what I got from it but I’d love to read it again.
Non-things: Upheaval in the Lifeworld - Byung-Chul Han (2021)
I feel called out so many times by this book. Genuinely changed the way I perceive things and non-things.
The Invention of Morel - Adolfo Bioy Cesares (1940)
Got spoiled about the main premise by the translator’s Introduction 💀
Monstress Vol. 10 - Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda
Fuck Tuya and the Lord Doctor, as always. Great payoff for the arc that has been going on for 3-4 issues!
Current reads
Ny. Talis: Kisah Mengenai Madras - Budi Darma (1996)
If I’m being honest this book makes me sleepy. I’m not sure I get what’s going on so far.
Added to TBR
- Men at Arms - Terry Prattchett (1993)
- Practical Anarchism: A Guide for Daily Life - Shuli Branson (2022)
- Platform Socialism: How to Reclaim Our Digital Future from Big Tech - James Muldoon (2022)
- Palm Oil: The Grease of Empire - Max Haiven (2022)
- The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion - Tansy E. Hoskins (2014)
- Vita Contemplativa: In Praise of Inactivity - Byung-Chul Han (2022)
- Hell Bent - Leigh Bardugo (2023)
Articles read
- Frankie Magazine 128
- Anarkisme: Bagaimana kesalahpahaman berabad2 mengubah filosofi kebebasan menjadi simbol kekerasan
Games played
Pyre (ongoing)
I think I have found my groove with this game! Precisely, I have found my team: Rukey, Shae, and Ti'zo. Because all the characters have slightly different mechanics and gained XPs only when deployed, I think it's safe to say that I will be sticking to this team, with maybe Hedwyn subbing in if one of them is unavailable due to the story. (I found out later that I can’t use the same team all the time lmao, but it’s still alright. I need to get used to not always winning the rites because they’re quite stressful).
Grindstone (ongoing)
Boring ngl.
Metaphor: ReFantazio (ongoing)
I’ve played for like 10 hours … the story (so far) was a bit fantasy 101 but I like the grinding.
Crochet projects
Lace filet crochet quote (ongoing)
🧶 Aunt Lydia’s classic 10 crochet thread (mercerized cotton, size 10)
🪡 1.75 mm hook
Trifold wallet (ongoing)
🧶 Korin Cotton Berry yarn (100% cotton, fingering weight)
🪡 2.5 mm hook