media consumption: articles, video essays, and media to make you smarter (vol. 2)

hello.

what a busy week… i have finals next week so pardon my brief absence. today i’ll be sharing our weekly article and media consumption round up. I’ll also be sharing a mini weekly report and some things i’ve been enjoying as of late.

autumn is slipping out from under us and before you know it, it’ll be thanksgiving and christmas. every year it feels as though the days go by faster, especially during this holiday season. despite how busy our schedules can get, i encourage you to stay present and enjoy every ounce of seasonality you can get. take yourself on fun solo dates to do some autumnal activities or bring a friend or your partner. eat fall foods and baked goods, set the mood with a fun spooky or jazzy playlist, and make some new memories.

for some references and further reading pertaining to autumn and spooky season here are…

cozy cringy witchy books to read

an autumn master list

a halloween master list

spooky horror books to read

weekly report:

reading:

pnin by vladimir nabokov
this novel follows timofey pnin, an eccentric russian professor navigating the challenges of american academia. filled with humor and melancholy, it's a poignant portrayal of isolation, identity, and the immigrant experience.

fear and trembling by søren kierkegaard
this philosophical work dives into the concept of faith, using the biblical story of abraham and isaac to explore the tension between ethics, faith, and the absurd. kierkegaard reflects on the nature of true faith, which demands a leap beyond rational understanding and conventional morality. it's a deep, thought-provoking meditation on what it means to truly believe.

demons by fyodor dostoevsky
a complex, intense exploration of political radicalism and moral decay in 19th-century russia. dostoevsky weaves together a story of revolution, personal ambition, and the darker sides of human nature in this philosophical novel.

the fawn by magda szabo
a coming-of-age tale about a young girl grappling with her identity and the complexities of love and loss. szabo’s prose is lyrical, capturing the inner turmoil of adolescence with deep emotional resonance.

(finishing) rebecca by daphne du maurier
a gothic classic about a young woman who marries a widower, only to find herself haunted by the shadow of his first wife, rebecca. it’s a suspenseful, atmospheric novel filled with mystery, jealousy, and dark secrets. this book is so incredibly good!!!

eating:

trader joe’s pumpkin waffles: a quick and easy way to squeeze in a festive breakfast in the morning.

churro turtle chips: do you live near h mart? these are the most delicious and addictive chips i’ve ever eaten. they also sell them on amazon, too.

cinnamon raisin bread with salted butter: a staple breakfast. sometimes i’ll put almond butter on it. and paired with black coffee is perfect.

ginger molasses cookies: these cookies are eaten in abundance during the month of october. i always go back to my family recipe for this one and it never disappoints.

chocolate chip cookies before bed <3 (they must be warm and there must be milk)

playing:

inside out 2: watching this for the first time tonight.

bluey: for comfort

nobody wants this (starting this show on monday after my final)

real housewives of new york city: the only housewives i love.

it’s the great pumpkin, charlie brown: this on a loop until halloween and it never gets old.

peanuts on appletv: this in the background for comfort always.

past lives: this was such a great film (prime video)

old disney: 101 dalmatians, cinderella, sleeping beauty, peter pan, etc

monsters inc: i had the sudden urge to watch this film and it feels like the perfect “spooky cute” movie to watch before halloween.

obsessing:

-neiwai bra: as a member of the itty bitty titty committee, i’m someone who almost never wears bras. i hate them and i’ve never found a bra that feels comfortable. until i found neiwai. i bought the barely zero classic bra (my favorite) and the barely there spaghetti strap bra (perfect for t shirts and going out). they’re perfect. gift this to yourself, your best friend, your sister, your mom. and if you end up getting one please report back to me and tell me how you like it because i’ve been searching for this my whole life.

recommending:

the secret history ***audiobook***!!! a totally different experience with the secret history since i’m pretty sure you’ve already read it.

ugg coquette slipper: i don’t care if uggs are basic, i live in these slippers and won’t walk anywhere in my house without them.

treating:

print magazines: there is something so beautiful and comforting about flipping through fall editions of print magazines. for me, food magazines are what i’m going for.

valaya hair mist: i get the most compliments on this perfume out of allllllll the perfumes i own. the bottle is very expensive, so if you’re wanting to try it out, i recommend the hair mist. i get stopped constantly when i wear this so i finally decided to stop getting samples at the department store and get it myself.

let’s move into this week’s media consumption: vol. 2

articles:

the strangeness of seeing ourselves

in this reflective essay, zoë zelken explores the strange experience of seeing oneself through different reflections in everyday life. she recounts moments from childhood games to gazing into shop windows in new york city, and how these reflections prompt a deeper consideration of identity, body image, and the passage of time. by confronting these moments, the author navigates self-perception and finds moments of self-acceptance, showing how reflections can both challenge and comfort us.

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