ICYMI, I wrote about the books I read this year.

Electrical Gaza, the film accompanying the Rosalind Nashashibi show at KM21.

What happens to a child in Israeli military detention? Read this story by Jasper Nathaniel about Mohammad Ibrahim.

Sentimental Value, which I’m going to see for the second time next month.

I have more edits to do and only half a bag of Slims.

Heated Rivalry, obviously.

The art direction in this profile of Rama Duwaji.

The fact that I will not be buying yarn for all of 2026. I made a little (big) vow earlier this year. I am stronger than yarn and do not need the little rush that accompanies every purchase. I have enough yarn for several lifetimes. I suppose I will only get to watch more Heated Rivalry and buy more yarn in 2027. Oh well.

Whether I can use the story about the time I discovered the air-conditioner in Karachi wouldn’t work because it was damaged by a stray bullet in my novel. Probably not. Archiving the ‘use AC story’ email I sent to myself. Continue to tell this story to increasingly less charmed people.

It was the sunniest Christmas in the Netherlands on record, and also the coldest since 2000. I spent it reading The Safekeep by the warmth of the heater, knitting new mittens and watching the cat climb the tree while saying, ineffectually, ‘Aria, nooooo.’

The edits. Why are there always edits? Thank goodness there are always edits.