Made this for my IG where I mostly post things book-related. I only shared the relatively recent titles of these 9 Palestinian Christian authors, but you should check out their other works too! (Mitri Raheb, Munther Isaac, and Naim Ateek, for example, have written tons of books). 1/3 #Booksky

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 💚 🎨: Holy Family in an Olive Grove, Palestinian Family, and two versions of Mother and Child by Sliman Mansour (b. 1947), a Palestinian artist who uses traditional motif and textile in his works; one of the pioneers of art for liberation movement in Palestine.

Ganjuran, a Catholic Church in Bantul, Yogyakarta, central region of Java, is known for Javanese-influenced designs, such as the Joglo architecture (ornate wooden house), a main shrine resembling ancient temple, wayang figures as angels, and its style of Eucharistic procession. 1/3 #WyrdWednesday

A collection of Biblical paintings by Balinese artist, I Wayan Turun, painted in 1957. Each painting, depicting the Nativity scene, the Miraculous Feeding, the Agony in the Garden, and the Ascension, incorporated Balinese traditional fabric, rural scenes, flora, and architectures.

"Arjuna Menyusui" (Arjuna Breastfeeding), a 1979 painting by Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan, depicts a backstage area where an actor who played Arjuna (the epitome of an ideal man) was breastfeeding her baby. A reflection on duality of life, strength, and life of the working class. #WyrdWednesday

"Arjuna Menyusui" (Arjuna Breastfeeding), a 1979 painting by Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan, depicts a backstage area where an actor who played Arjuna (the epitome of an ideal man) was breastfeeding her baby. A reflection on duality of life, strength, and life of the working class. #WyrdWednesday

This picture of Polar Bear and penguins came from Tolkien's Christmas letter for Priscilla (1940), mentioning children displaced by war. Tolkien, as Father Christmas, said that penguins visited his North Pole home but didn't help much, yet he still welcomed them. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

Hospitality for #TolkienTrewsday 2 views of 2 places I'd like to stay Beorn's Hall & The House of Tom Bombadil. A stay at Yule-Tide with Beorn & any time with Bombadil (although his songs would limit my stay) Wonderful art by #JoanWyatt @miriamellis.bsky.social & #Tolkien colourised by H E Riddett

Today is the birthday of Transit Bookstore, the diverse Jakarta indie bookshop where I usually buy English books (pictured: my bounty). They had a little party and reading club today. I've been shopping more from indie bookshops in Indonesia these days and I want to keep supporting them. #Booksky

Pura Goa Lawah in Klungkung, Bali is connected to a cave inhabited by numerous bats. While the depth of the cave itself is kept safe from people, the carvings of bat and serpent deity Naga Besukih show symbols of fertility, protection, and the balance of natural elements in the world. #WyrdWednesday

Pura Goa Lawah in Klungkung, Bali is connected to a cave inhabited by numerous bats. While the depth of the cave itself is kept safe from people, the carvings of bat and serpent deity Naga Besukih show symbols of fertility, protection, and the balance of natural elements in the world. #WyrdWednesday

The image of this 1973 painting by Balinese artist Ketut Madra, which depicts the giant Kala Rau about to swallow the moon goddess Ratih, reminds me of how, in The Silmarillion, Melkor sent the spirits of shadows to vanquish Tilion, the Maia who guided the Moon. 1/2 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

I seldom watch films about musicians, so love the fact that I really enjoyed Kneecap (2024) especially with the personnel playing themselves. Funny, riotous, bold, resonant. Its thematic humor somehow reminds me of Palestinian satirical comedy The Time That Remains (2009) by Elia Suleiman. #Filmsky

A video by activist working in the West Bank, Andrey X, as the Bethlehem Christmas Tree was lit after 2 years, with restrained festivities and focus in religious essence. I wish you a profound Christmas and remember that hope exists with pain, as showcased by Palestinians under ongoing occupation.

A video by activist working in the West Bank, Andrey X, as the Bethlehem Christmas Tree was lit after 2 years, with restrained festivities and focus in religious essence. I wish you a profound Christmas and remember that hope exists with pain, as showcased by Palestinians under ongoing occupation.

I swear I have other books too 😁 This Indonesian poetry book by Hendri Yulius Wijaya and English-language anthology from Anamot Press depict Indonesian queer experiences. One of the poets in the anthology is actually from the same province as me. Postcards are from Queer Indonesia Archive. #Booksky

Read Palestine Week 2025, day 7: the Indonesian translation of "Thyme Travellers", an anthology of speculative fiction short stories by contemporary Palestinian authors. "Gaza Luna" is also my favorite story: about a failed astronaut who worked to bring a Palestinian flag to the moon. #Booksky

Read Palestine Week 2025, day 6: a recent anthology of writings that include testimonies and frontline reportage. Raw and eloquent with reminders of searing realities: from medical staff coming up with WCNSF ("wounded child, no surviving families") to how genocide impact climate change. #Booksky

Read Palestine Week 2025, day 5: an anthology of own voice writings by Gaza's youths, spanning from 2015 to 2023, shining light to the reality of occupation through young eyes. They are part of We Are Not Numbers writing project, where Gaza's young writers are mentored by global volunteers. #Booksky

Popular ghost stories in my hometown Balikpapan, East Borneo, can be traced to 1942-1945 Japanese occupation and the Battle of Balikpapan in WW2 era: burned and headless ghosts at oil refinery, blood-soaked Dutch nun, and emaciated ghosts from labor camps trying to find the way home. #WyrdWednesday

Read Palestine Week 2025: day 4. An anthology of 58 essays, poems, artworks, and fictions on Palestine. They are the expression of "sumud" (steadfastness). More than just survivorship, this concept describes remembrance, revitalization, and record-keeping; an act of everyday resistance. #Booksky

Read Palestine Week 2025, day 3: A dismantling of the politics of defanging that force Palestinians to constantly audition to have their humanity acknowledged, to always be palatable and not be angry. A tactic you'll recognize when deployed against, say, trans and Indigenous communities. #Booksky

Read Palestine Week 2025, day 2: a memoir in the form of Plestia Alaqad's diary entries as she shared her on-the-ground observations, reporting, personal life, and stories of Palestinians in Gaza as the genocide unfolded. Honest, strong yet vulnerable, with jolts of humor here and there. #Booksky

Community-based organization Cangkang Queer in North Sumatra opens donation channel to help queer community in the region affected by the recent flood. Feel free to help if you can donate to their Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) account. They'll use it to provide food, water, hygiene kits, and others.

Read Palestine Week 2025: day 1. A collection of Palestinian Arab folktales (hikaye) gathered from regions like Gaza and the West Bank. They were recorded as told by 17 traditional Palestinian storytellers, mostly women, with folkloric analysis, translation notes, and folk motif index. #Booksky

Yadnya Kasada, an annual religious ceremony of Tengger people in Mount Bromo, East Java, involves throwing offerings like crops into volcanic crater. Behind it is the tale of the ancestors of the Tengger, whose youngest son plunged into the volcano as an offering for the gods. 🧵1/2 #WyrdWednesday

Yadnya Kasada, an annual religious ceremony of Tengger people in Mount Bromo, East Java, involves throwing offerings like crops into volcanic crater. Behind it is the tale of the ancestors of the Tengger, whose youngest son plunged into the volcano as an offering for the gods. 🧵1/2 #WyrdWednesday

Typing this made me remember the discovery of cave paintings in Lubang Jeriji Saléh, a limestone cave complex within the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst in East Borneo. One that caught my eyes was the "Bouquet of Hands". I want to know the stories behind these hands (notice that one hand has motifs).

The Goblin cave drawings and Goblin alphabet that Tolkien created for one of his Father Christmas's letters for his children. Both were drawn in 1932 when he was working on "The Hobbit", and some of the creatures from that manuscript bled to his Christmas letters. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

Preparing for Read Palestine Week (29 November - 5 December). I will make IG review posts daily, collaborating with Jakarta-based indie bookshop, Transit Bookstore. This bookshop focuses on curated, diverse books, and frequently promotes Palestinian authors and holds fundraising efforts. #Booksky

Dressing room photos of my parents wearing black Javanese-style wedding outfits, with "cunduk mentul" hairpins for my mom. Black is a classic color worn by brides and grooms in Javanese wedding, representing earth-related qualities like humility, strength, magnanimity, and wisdom. #WyrdWednesday

Dressing room photos of my parents wearing black Javanese-style wedding outfits, with "cunduk mentul" hairpins for my mom. Black is a classic color worn by brides and grooms in Javanese wedding, representing earth-related qualities like humility, strength, magnanimity, and wisdom. #WyrdWednesday

In 1928, Tolkien drew "Owlamoo" to dispel his son Michael's night fear of sinister owl creature. This was 3 years after he created Roverandom, a tale about a dog turned into a toy and went to adventures, to comfort Michael because he was sad from losing his toy dog. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

The earliest known letter by Tolkien was dictated to his nurse as a 4-year old, addressed to his father, Arthur (14 February 1896). It was never sent because his mother, Mabel, received a telegram that day, saying that Arthur had hemorrhaged. He died the next day. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

For #TolkienTuesday #TolkienTrewsday: a piece in which I’m contemplating Tolkien’s unfinished time-travel story The Lost Road, featuring fathers and sons and their shared dreams. dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/tolkien-tu...

I can't talk enough about how much I love sape sound from the nostalgic side! It was the sound of my childhood, played at school, bookstore, supermarket, ads, airport. I'm East Javanese but the quintessential sound of East Borneo is also a huge part of my life. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nupU...

Published 30 years after "Stone Butch Blues", this memoir by Lamya H. reflects Leslie Feinberg's way of exploring queer identity that doesn't fit into fixed, narrow boxes, as well as intersectionality, acceptance, and unexpected found family. One of few books that made me feel at home. #Booksky

Several kings of Yogyakarta Sultanate, central region of Java, were known for composing dances during their reigns, since artistic skill is seen as ideal trait. Pictured are examples of their works: Bedhaya Mintaraga, Bedhaya Durma Kina, Beksan Surawijaya, and Beksan Lawung Alit. 1/2 #WyrdWednesday

Several kings of Yogyakarta Sultanate, central region of Java, were known for composing dances during their reigns, since artistic skill is seen as ideal trait. Pictured are examples of their works: Bedhaya Mintaraga, Bedhaya Durma Kina, Beksan Surawijaya, and Beksan Lawung Alit. 1/2 #WyrdWednesday

Siegfried Sassoon, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mosab Abu Toha, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and Usmar Ismail shared a thing: grounded, realistic depiction of war impacts and its subsequent disillusionment in modern era, forcing us to reexamine the fervor of "war glory". 🧵1/6 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

Siegfried Sassoon, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mosab Abu Toha, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and Usmar Ismail shared a thing: grounded, realistic depiction of war impacts and its subsequent disillusionment in modern era, forcing us to reexamine the fervor of "war glory". 🧵1/6 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

I switch between books depending on my mood! Currently, I'm moving between memoirs by a queer Muslim writer and a young Gazan journalist, and an Indonesian short story collection with friendship as a theme. They offer different experiences that I simply match with my mood of the day. #Booksky

I sometimes need ambient music to focus on reading. My favorites so far are sape (the instrument of my birthplace, easy choice), Sundanese degung (best gamelan music style for reading), Tony Duncan's style of Native American flute, and my recent favorite: queer Palestinian oud player Clarissa Bitar.

Debut novel of queer Malaysian writer Ong Chin Huat, observing Malaysian upper class society in an apartment building and secrets behind their seemingly perfect image. Despite somewhat rushed ending and some "tell" instead of "show", it's a fun read. Love the cover art by Chinmayee Samant! #Booksky

Perang Obor ("torch war"), an annual post-harvest fire battle in Tegalsambi village, Central Java, is a part of purification and blessing ritual. Its folkloric origin story was a fight between villagers over sick cattle, resulting in a cleansing flame that healed the cattle. 1/2 #WyrdWednesday

Perang Obor ("torch war"), an annual post-harvest fire battle in Tegalsambi village, Central Java, is a part of purification and blessing ritual. Its folkloric origin story was a fight between villagers over sick cattle, resulting in a cleansing flame that healed the cattle. 1/2 #WyrdWednesday

Just published: Wajah di Palestina ("faces in Palestine"), an essay collection written in Indonesian by senior Indonesian journalist, essayist, and poet Goenawan Mohamad. Now 84 years old, Goenawan Mohamad wrote this book based on his repeated visits to Palestine since the early 1980s. #Booksky

In a letter to Christopher Bretherton (16 July 1964), Tolkien mentioned a nightmare of a great wave, which he wrote in The Lost Road and Akallabêth. It reminds me of "smong verse" from Simeulue, Aceh, which teaches islanders what to do when smong (tsunami) comes. 1/2 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

In a letter to Christopher Bretherton (16 July 1964), Tolkien mentioned a nightmare of a great wave, which he wrote in The Lost Road and Akallabêth. It reminds me of "smong verse" from Simeulue, Aceh, which teaches islanders what to do when smong (tsunami) comes. 1/2 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

Two glass paintings of gunungan (mountain-like structure used in wayang performance) by Rastika, an artist from Cirebon, West Java. Glass painting has a long history in Cirebon, with multiple influences in its style like Javanese, Chinese, and Islamic art. 📷: Museum Wayang Jakarta, December 2024