BOOKS

08/13/2025-08/18/2025

Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector

Incredible. Revelatory. Best book I've ever read. Expresses emotions, fears, memory, self-perception in deeper and clearer and more complete ways than I have read before. Absolutely stunning masterpiece, it really understood me.

08/05/2025-08/13/2025

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

Read this because a friend of mine loves LOTR. I have never been a fan of fantasy, so I didn't expect to like this very much. I ended up having a really fun time with it! Unfortunately, it has not turned me into a fantasy lover, but I'm glad I read it. Super cute writing, and it is really immersive. Bilbo my luv

07/21/2025-08/12/25

The Butterfly's Burden by Mahmoud Darwish

I love Darwish! The only other book I've read by him is In the Presence of Absence, which I absolutely loved. This is my first of his poetry collections, though (although I have read plenty excerpts online in the past). Unfortunately did not love this one as much as I expected to, but I know that's because plenty went over my head. Still really enjoyed it! And Darwish is brilliant.

08/07/2025

Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux

Wow wow wow. My first Ernaux. Was thinking of this Baldwin quote throughout. Has some of the most gut-wrenching lines ever ("From the very beginning, and throughout the whole of our affair, I had the privilege of knowing what we all find out in the end: the man we love is a complete stranger.") I have a feeling I will continually return to this.

07/29/2025-08/04/2025

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

Little book that took me too long to read, mainly because I found it difficult to be very interested in the train- and lumber-specific details at the beginning. The chapter about the wolf-girl towards the end completely captured me, though. And wow--what incredible descriptions throughout. I want to re-read this pretty soon, which should be easy considering its length. Great book, but I'm just afraid it didn't resonate with me as strongly as I know it probably will on a second read.



FILM

August 20, 2025

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Watched w/ a friend. Just not my thing unfortunately.

August 18, 2025

Sideways (2004)

This was funny and I liked it just fine :) The two main characters are the worst, though lol but the performances from all of the actors are great. A fun watch!

August 9, 2025

The Cranes Are Flying (1957)

Wanted to watch something Russian and wasn't sure if I was up for committing to a Tarkovsky experience (lol), so I chose this one. Some of the most beautiful shots and camerawork in here. "Byelka" (белка) is such a precious pet name. Great movie!!

August 8, 2025

Weapons (2025)

Watched with my brother at the theater. Really captivating. I'm afraid I don't love modern horror movies (usually just too gimmicky) but this one was a fun experience!