Blog

In which I briefly comment on the books I read each month, so a few years from now when I’m trying to remember one of them, I’ll be able to find it here. Since I’m a media omnivore, it also includes games, movies, and any other media of note that I engaged with.

Do we have similar tastes, or will you be questioning how we ever got connected? Let’s find out!

Books

Indiginerds: Tales From Modern Indigenous Life, edited by Alina Pete

Alina Pete delivers on their goal of presenting a collection of “bold, fun, passionate stories” told by an optimistic mix of Indigenous creators who want to inspire the next generation. Each story is a unique, personal, and delightful slice of life that will resonate with nerds of all kinds. There really wasn’t a dud in the bunch — a noteworthy feat on its own — but my particular favorites were Uncured Horror, Welei (I am fine), Airwave Pirates, Saving Throws, and Dorvan V.

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity (Fully Revised & Updated Edition) by Kim Scott

I’m not usually the audience for books like this, but as someone who would always “rather work for a ‘competent asshole’ than a ‘nice incompetent,'” I was intrigued by Scott’s core premise. Unfortunately, while there are some solid fundamental ideas (I highlighted and dogeared several passages), it’s ultimately undone by its attempt to productize a process that arguably only works organically, or maybe in extremely controlled settings. It’s kind of like an RPG rulebook where the fluff leans too heavily on tired tropes, and crunch is overly convoluted — so the game isn’t actually fun for anyone because it requires strict collaboration to make it all work as intended… and now I’m trying to wrap my head around how a corporate rules lawyer might act? Published in 2019, it includes an opening acknowledgement of its critical blind spots (specifically, race and, ironically, gender), while “fully revised & updated” mainly seems to refer to the afterword and bonus chapter, both of which do a better job of sharpening Scott’s well-intentioned but very squishy ideas that are so intertwined with Silicon Valley mythology, using them anywhere else would require significant modifications, especially after 2020.

{STAR} Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 by Inio Asano

Weird and surreal and immersive — I wasn’t sure if I LIKED it after the first volume, but I definitely appreciated Asano’s confidently unique take on the coming-of-age tale. It might be my relatively limited experience with manga, but I got Junji Ito vibes at times with the many horrors of childhood subtly (and suddenly) cranked up to 11. I thought I was on the fence about continuing, but also curious about where it might go next, so when I saw volume 2 at the bookstore later that night, I didn’t hesitate to buy it and jump right back in! I really don’t think this story would work as a traditional novel or movie, or if Punpun was depicted as a real boy — but Asano manages to pull off a relentlessly heartbreaking story thanks to some impressive visual storytelling, while somehow still making it an “entertaining” read. Rough and intense at times — but also entertaining.

I’m officially hooked and hope to finish the series before the end of the year, although that will severely disrupt my already disrupted TBR plans. I even went back and re-listened to the Mangasplaining episode that originally put it on my radar last year. The show notes are a great read, too, and now I’m curious about his other work, particularly Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction. That will have to wait until next year, though.

Games

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Steam)

I finished my second playthrough and, despite there being three months left in 2025, it’s absolutely going to be my personal Game of the Year! That said, after 350+ hours immersed in the setting, I’m looking forward to taking a break and playing in a different 40K sandbox for a while. Also, Football Manager 26 comes out soon, and I finally bought Grim Dawn!

Movies & TV

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S3 (Paramount+)

I’m still a fan but this was definitely a wobbly season that never managed to hit last season’s many high notes, despite continuing to push the envelope on what kinds of stories they can tell. I’d forgotten that this was one of the many shows that were disrupted by the strikes in 2023, and they didn’t know if it would be their final season, which partly explains the ambitiously overstuffed final episode. I’m still excited about S4, though, and am in no particular rush for Pike to turn the chair over to Kirk anytime soon, although that’s obviously what’s happening with S5 already being announced as the series’ end.

Sports

NY Mets (SNY & Audacy)

From 0-5 to OMG to WTF?!? Only the Mets could have a billionaire owner, hire Stearns, steal Soto from the Yankees — and somehow still end up being the same old Mets. I enjoyed most of this season (including seeing them lose to San Diego at CitiField despite hitting four home runs?!?!) and I don’t regret fully committing, and I’m legitimately optimistic about next year — but it’s kind of annoying that being a Mets fan is still like riding the bike in that meme. You know the one…

Gotham FC (?!?!)

This has been a frustrating season for my favorite American soccer team, with some questionable roster moves, surprising rookies, and a prolonged midseason break that almost made me forget the season had started. Worse, the NWSL’s multiple media partner strategy makes watching games an unpredictable challenge every week, particularly when they end up not having a partner and only being available on the league’s website. Nevertheless, unlike the Mets, Gotham is on a roll heading into the end of the season, and another Cup run seems realistic despite the aforementioned roster shenanigans. It would be pretty funny if the first team I ever get to enjoy TWO league championships with is the one I’ve only been following for 10 years, in a sport I’ve also only been following for 10 years. Professional sports are cruel!

Your Notes?

If you’ve engaged with any of these, let me know what you thought. And if you have any related recommendations, drop ’em in the comments or on the socials! Some of you prefer email, which is cool, too. You do you!