media consumption: articles, video essays, podcasts to make you smarter (vol. 11)

hello.

it’s been an interesting start to the new year. i fostered a kitten named emma, grew way too attached to her, and cried when she got adopted— i suppose that means it’s time to adopt my own animal, wouldn’t you say? emma was a long-haired, black ball of floof—a quiet, almost ethereal presence in feline form. she was the embodiment of gentleness, a kitten who rarely made a sound but whose gaze spoke volumes. she adored being held, her favorite place tucked beneath your chin as you scratched delicately behind her ears. emma had a particular affinity for patches of sunlight that spilled onto the carpet, where she would stretch out languidly, curling onto her back in a pose so irresistibly endearing that you couldn’t help but scoop her up, surrendering entirely to her quiet charm.

alas, i think it’s time…

okay, moving on. i hope your sunday scaries aren’t as bad as mine as i’ve spent most of the day prepping for the school and work week ahead of me.

it’s now late in the afternoon so i want to provide you with some weekend reading to help ease your anxiety before the day is over. let’s get into it.

weekly report:

reading:

my january tbr…

the idiot by fyodor dostoevsky
a tragic story of innocence in a corrupt world, dostoevsky’s novel follows prince myshkin, whose purity and honesty lead to both admiration and destruction. it’s a deeply philosophical and emotional journey into the complexities of human nature.

no longer human by osamu dazai
a deeply personal novel about alienation and self-destruction, this book follows the life of oba yozo, a man unable to reconcile his public facade with his inner despair. dazai’s work is haunting and brutally honest.

too much of life by clarice lispector
a collection of fragmented, reflective pieces that read like diary entries, this book offers a glimpse into lispector’s inner world. her musings on existence, love, and creativity are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

the vegetarian by han kang
a stark, unsettling tale about a woman’s decision to stop eating meat and the unraveling of her life that follows. han kang explores the fragility of the human psyche, desire, and the societal forces that shape identity.

spring snow by yukio mishima
a poetic tale of forbidden love in 1912 japan, this novel follows kiyoaki and satoko, whose tender romance is thwarted by rigid societal expectations. mishima's prose captures the fleeting beauty of youth and the quiet devastation of loss.

orientalism by edward said

a seminal critique of how the west stereotypes the east to justify power and colonialism. said unpacks the cultural and political frameworks behind these portrayals, challenging readers to rethink global narratives and their lasting impact.

eating:

white rice and miso soup

sumo oranges!!

frozen blueberries in milk

fresh burrata with hiiro tomatoes from trader joes and basil, sprinkled with salt, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze

tiramisu for breakfast

late night chocolate chip cookies (warm) with milk

playing:

liminal melancholic winter songs

my comfort youtube channels

late night japanese jazz

arcane (holy shit)

obsessing:

matcha candle and ube candle from emme <3

lychee gummies

recommending:

criterion subscription to accompany your rot girl winter

replacing your nightly doom scroll by playing animal crossings on the nintendo switch whenever you’re feeling anxious or uneasy

hiiro tomatoes from trader joes

treating:

jo malone fresh fig and cassis diffuser: this is my favorite jo malone candle of all time and i’ve been wanting the diffuser for my home for so long. it’s woody, fresh, sensual- the perfect scent to welcome the new year.

for today’s media consumption, i’m sharing media about how compliments became currency, the devaluation of motherhood, comfort videos, queer phenomenology, cats in japanese literature, the cult of genius, fernando pessoa’s heteronyms, and so much more.

if you’re new to this newsletter, every sunday i share a list of interesting articles, video essays, podcasts and more for paid subscribers. if you have the capacity to support milk fed, it would mean the world to me <3