winter requisites guide: books, films, music, activities, and everything in between

hello.

i wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? and then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”

-lewis carroll

winter is my favorite season. somewhat antithetical of autumn, winter is darker, more melancholic- a breath of fresh cold air where time seems to stand still. the hush of snow fall, pink runny noses, piping hot black coffee and overcoats a size too big. this season is a time to mourn, wallow, rest, and reset.

in true milk fed fashion, i’ve provided a winter requisites guide: books, films, music, activities, and everything in between to make this season feel especially intentional and comforting.

books:

snow country by yasunari kawabata
a delicate, melancholic story of an affair between a wealthy man and a geisha in a remote japanese village. kawabata’s prose is as stark and beautiful as the snowy landscapes he describes, capturing the fleeting nature of human connection.

the book of disquiet by fernando pessoa
a masterpiece of introspection, this fragmented, poetic work feels like winter itself—quiet, contemplative, and deeply solitary. pessoa’s meditations on existence, alienation, and beauty mirror the stark stillness of a cold, grey season.

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.

white nights by fyodor dostoevsky
a tender, melancholic short story about fleeting connection, this tale follows a lonely narrator who spends four nights walking through st. petersburg with a mysterious woman. dostoevsky captures the bittersweet beauty of unrequited love and longing.

crush by richard siken a visceral, fevered collection of poetry that feels like reading someone’s rawest, most unfiltered thoughts. it’s chaotic and tender, violent and vulnerable—a whirlwind of obsession, love, and longing that pulls you under and refuses to let go. siken’s imagery is both brutal and beautiful, filled with car crashes, burning houses, and haunting repetitions that capture the desperation of wanting and the fear of losing.

rebecca by daphne du maurier
a haunting gothic masterpiece, rebecca tells the story of a young, unnamed protagonist who marries a wealthy widower and moves to his grand estate, manderley. overshadowed by the memory of his first wife, rebecca, she becomes ensnared in a web of jealousy, mystery, and betrayal. du maurier’s atmospheric prose and psychological depth create a tale as chilling as it is unforgettable.

the brothers karamazov by fyodor dostoevsky
set against the moral and literal chill of 19th-century russia, dostoevsky’s sprawling exploration of faith, family, and human frailty captures the intensity of winter’s stark truths and dark nights.

the passion according to g.h. by clarice lispector
this unsettling and deeply philosophical novella takes readers on an introspective journey as the protagonist confronts her own identity in a surreal, transformative moment. it’s a book that matches the introspection and stillness of winter perfectly, drawing you into its quiet, existential depths.

the collector by john fowles
a psychological thriller with an icy, unsettling tone, this novel’s claustrophobic atmosphere mirrors the suffocating isolation of a snowbound landscape. fowles’ tale of obsession is as chilling as the season it evokes.

anna karenina by leo tolstoy
tolstoy’s epic weaves winter’s biting cold with the inner storms of its characters. scenes like the snow-covered train station reflect the novel’s themes of passion, betrayal, and despair, making it a perfect winter read.

frankenstein by mary shelley
this gothic tale of creation and abandonment is steeped in icy landscapes, from the frozen arctic to the alpine tundra. its exploration of loneliness and human connection resonates powerfully in the starkness of winter.

drive your plow over the bones of the dead by olga tokarczuk
set in a remote, snow-covered polish village, this darkly philosophical novel blends murder, environmentalism, and folklore. its wintry isolation and meditations on morality make it hauntingly atmospheric.

anna karenina by leo tolstoy
a sweeping novel of love and betrayal, tolstoy chronicles the tragic affair between anna and vronsky while juxtaposing it with the quiet, pastoral life of levin. it’s a profound exploration of passion, morality, and the human condition.

the master and margarita by mikhail bulgakov: surreal, philosophical, and darkly humorous, this novel is a journey into love, power, and the metaphysical, with a wintry edge to its eeriness.

jane eyre by charlotte brontë
the windswept moors and cold stone halls of thornfield feel like an emotional winter, perfectly matching the novel’s themes of resilience and passion. brontë’s gothic intensity makes it a quintessentially wintry tale.

i who have never known men by jacqueline harpman
a hauntingly sparse novel about survival and existential loneliness, harpman’s post-apocalyptic world feels as desolate and chilling as a barren winter landscape, offering a meditation on humanity stripped to its core.

babel by r.f. kuang
while it’s an academic fantasy, the snow-dusted streets of oxford and the novel’s examination of colonialism and belonging carry the reflective stillness of a long winter, perfect for introspective reading.

the myth of sisyphus by albert camus
this philosophical meditation on the absurdity of life carries the stark clarity of a winter sky. camus’ exploration of perseverance in the face of meaninglessness feels like a mental hearth for dark, reflective nights.

the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde
wilde’s gothic exploration of beauty, corruption, and decay feels timelessly wintry. its dark opulence and moral chill mirror the stark contrast of a frosty, glittering landscape.

crime and punishment by fyodor dostoevsky
a bleak russian winter hangs heavy over raskolnikov’s moral and psychological descent. dostoevsky’s ability to capture the chill of both weather and conscience makes this novel quintessentially wintry.

wuthering heights by emily brontë
a tale of wild love and vengeance set against the bleak, windswept moors, brontë’s gothic classic exudes the desolate beauty of a winter storm.

dracula by bram stoker
stoker’s gothic horror is steeped in an eerie, wintry atmosphere, from the icy transylvanian mountains to the fog-drenched streets of victorian england. it’s a story that chills to the bone.

the bloody chamber by angela carter
this collection of dark, feminist fairy tale retellings is perfect for winter, blending sensuality and foreboding with snow-covered forests and castles that seem frozen in time.

netochka nezvanova by fyodor dostoevsky an unfinished novel that offers a glimpse into the early development of dostoevsky’s genius. it tells the story of a young girl, netochka, whose life is marked by suffering, loss, and the search for connection. with its focus on psychological depth and the complexities of human relationships, the book hints at the themes dostoevsky would later fully explore in his masterpieces.

films:

phantom thread (2017)

my night at maud’s (1969)

tokyo story (1953)

metropolitan (1990)

the umbrellas of cherbourg (1964)

a tale of winter conte d’hiver (1993)

carol (2015)

spirited away (2001)

in the mood for love (2000)

fallen angels (1995)

2046 (2004)

lets get lost (1988)

ikuru (1952)

the shop around the corner (1940)

frozen (2013)

bambi (1942)

the apartment (1960)

the red shoes (1948)

fanny and alexander (1982)

love story (1970)

tv shows:

the queen’s gambit

derry girls

nevertheless (kdrama netflix)

the sopranos

the makanai: cooking for the maiko house

twin peaks

fleabag

winter activities:

• trips to the museum: for days when it’s far too cold to wander outside, consider a museum date either solo, with a friend, or lover.

• late nights at the library: are you in school, too? use these darker evenings for study dates at the library.

• long walks in the snow: there’s nothing more pleasing than the sound of snow crunching softly underneath your shoes coupled with a pink nose from the chill of the winter weather.

• playing animal crossing late at night: this is the move right here. hot tea, the sounds of animal crossing friends mingling amongst one another. i’m by no means a gaming expert, but playing my nintendo switch every now and then is therapy for my soul.

• making tea: cosplay the sleepytime tea bear until spring.

• play chess: if you don’t know how to play, now is the time to learn. i recommend chess.com.

• skiing: when i was younger i used to ski every season with my family. not to toot my own horn but i was quite good shredding down double black diamonds. you should take a trip to the mountains and learn. if that’s not your thing, consider a trip to the mountains to live out your best après ski life.

• jazz bars: another great late-night activity to escape from the cold. plus, jazz music is a balm for the soul.

• making healing soups: it’s soup season after all. there are so many different recipes to make to cater to whatever mood you’re in.

• ice skating: an exciting winter activity where you can get off your screen, move your body, and hopefully not break your ass bone while doing it.

• building a snowman: you’re never too old. i recommend making a kitty snowman. in japan, there are little kitty snowmen everywhere, and they decorate them with twigs for whiskers and stones for eyes.

• bake bread: this is everything right here. you have your soup, homemade freshly baked bread paired with your favorite show or book, and you’re set for the perfect winter evening in.

• writing letters or postcards: there’s something magical about sending and receiving handwritten notes in a world of texts and emails. cozy up with your favorite stationery, a warm candle, and pour your heart onto the page.

• watching classic winter films: create your own winter cinema. make a letterboxd account to document your cinema journey. subscribe to channels like criterion or mubi or a24 for some great film experiences.

• journaling with intention: reflect on the year and write about what you want to leave behind and what you want to carry into the next season. winter is the perfect time for introspection.

• host a winter potluck: gather your close friends, light some candles, and have everyone bring a cozy dish to share. good people, good food, good conversation, good music- the recipe for a perfect evening.

• make homemade candles: learn to pour your own soy wax candles scented with your favorite winter fragrances like pine, vanilla, or chai. it’s a soothing process and makes great gifts too.

• try winter foraging: if you live in an area with forests or fields, research what edible plants are available in winter, like pine needles for tea or rose hips for syrups. it’s a grounding way to connect with the season.

• decorate your space for winter: twinkle lights, candles, and winter greenery like eucalyptus or holly to keep your space feeling warm and inviting.

things to buy:

-creme des marrons

-red knit bonnet

-vanilla cashmere lotion

-the best hand cream of all time

-tea for cold nights: my favorite black tea, green tea, herbal tea

-candles to set the mood: i recommend this one for something cozy and this one for something fresh, this one for something sweet and fresh.

-fragrances: orpheon solid perfume and body wash, molecule 01, and valaya.

-hatch alarm clock: to improve your rest and wake cycles. i highly highly recommend this if you struggle with sleep.

-rice cooker: this is the best rice cooker i’ve ever owned. she’s pricey okay. this is a great alternative.

-these thin gingerbread cookies for an afternoon treat

-the best lip butter i’ve ever owned

-a journal! i recommend the hobonichi weeks or the techno. you can also get stickers and cut outs to decorate. i love this john derian and nathalie lete sticker book. and i’m obsessed with these yoshitomo nara stickers and these, too.

recipes to make:

savory: congee, miso soup, homemade bread, pastina soup, tamagoyaki, shepherd’s pie, stuffed acorn squash, baked brie with honey and cranberries, turkey farro and chickpea soup, perfect instant ramen, french onion soup, gochujang-glazed eggpant.

sweet: coffee cake, japanese milk bread, porridge, french toast, banana bread, cinnamon raisin bread, pomegranates, sumo oranges, baked apples with cinnamon and walnuts, pecan maple sticky buns.

music:

-late night japanese jazz

-winter melancholy

-classical music to read philosophy to

-japanese city pop

-grouper for wallowing

-ichiko aoba to dream of spring

okay, that’s all i have for you today.

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i love you.

bye.

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