January Consumption
A compilation of things to watch, read, listen to
I feel like I am the only one, but I love January. The busyness of December is over. Stay inside. Wear soft clothing. Light candles. Make coffee. Jazz in the morning, a movie in the evening. No plans to be had. Maybe I’m accustomed to loving it because its when my birthday falls, conditioned by my loving mother who made an otherwise frigid January 16th feel warm and special.
The flu found its way into my home a few weeks ago and it got me good. But like all things, there’s a silver lining and its that I consumed a higher volume of media this month as a consequence. I hope the flu doesn’t come to your door, but if it does, here’s a list of things if you find yourself feeling like a bus has hit you and you can do nothing but be horizontal:
Watching stuff
Baby Reindeer - I found this to be dark and disturbing. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have watched it while stuck in my apartment with the flu, but once you start you can’t stop. Pretty gripping.
The Wire (Season 3 and 4) - perfect. The internet doesn’t need another person’s commentary on this show, but my favorite seasons over 1 and 2.
Nickel Boys - The most gorgeous, arresting film I’ve seen in the last year (also, the best book I read last year).
Babygirl - entertaining and anxiety-provoking.
A Real Pain - unique, thoughtful, and an excellent character study on two distinct personalities. We must all know someone (and perhaps, ourselves) who at least partly demonstrate traits of Kieran Culkin’s and Jesse Eisenberg’s.
Listening to stuff
In the winter I veer toward icy, tinny sounds — if that makes sense—probably not. I guess that would translate into songs with intricate, electronic-forward instrumentals. FKA Twigs’ new album is a good example of that — airy vocals with interesting sounds. Otherwise, SZA has lived in my brain since the LANA album dropped. Favorite songs from both, and a few others, below:
Sad Makeup by Yukimi, Little Dragon (thanks to this playlist for showing it to me)
Ophelia by Pink Pantheress
St. Chroma by Tyler the Creator (seeing him on Tuesday!)
Reading stuff:
I somehow read six books in January (one was an audiobook). I can’t say any of them changed my worldview or anything), but my favorites were Ina Garten’s audiobook of her memoir. So cozy. Now I watch old episodes of her show while cooking dinner. A vibe. And The Body: A Guide for Occupants was so fun and interesting. Gives you a new appreciation for all your body does for you, without you even giving it a second thought. A good reminder to take care of it.
Other takeaways from my reading this month: Ashton Kutcher is not to be trusted (Inside Out by Demi Moore), read Joan Didion’s essays “On Self-Respect” and “On Keeping a Notebook” (Slouching Toward Bethlehem), and the obscure corners of the federal government are responsible for more aspects of our lives than you could ever realize (Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis).
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
Inside Out by Demi Moore
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis
That’s what I have for this one! Hope you’re hanging in there. As I’ve said before, make time for yourself and while you’re at it, be kind to yourself so you can then be kind to others.