do you remember the era of monthly favorites and long-form content and blog posts? well, i miss it so i want to share some of my favorites. this isn’t specific to a month, but these are things i’m loving...
do you remember the era of monthly favorites and long-form content and blog posts? well, i miss it so i want to share some of my favorites. this isn’t specific to a month, but these are things i’m loving lately.
books!
okay, i am sorry to say that i’m not reading as much as i’d like. HOWEVER, here are some books that i read recently and i love love love. whenever someone asks me a recent read i loved, i respond with this:
bliss montage, by ling ma
the stories in this book occupied my thoughts rent-free!! i listened to this on audiobook towards the end of summer, and i enjoyed it so much that i want to purchase it in physical form and annotate the pages. whenever i visit my local bookstore, i am tempted! i’m still new to the short-story genre, but all of these were so wonderfully eccentric and existential that i’m completely sold. or perhaps i just love Ling Ma’s work. this collection of stories is perfect for autumn (and honestly any time of year).
stay true, by hua hsu
i rarely think of memoirs beyond a personal look into the author’s life. and i don’t mean this negatively! to me, memoirs are an inside look of the author’s experiences and are almost like a public diary. the story is often more important than the way it’s told or the writing style, especially since most of the memoirs i read are from authors who didn’t come from a writing background. that said, Stay True reminds me that the art of literature and writing is equally as important as the story you tell. it is easily one of the most beautiful memoirs i’ve read and i keep recommending it to everyone. but!! i still haven’t finished it!! (fraud) i’m about 70% through and i already know it’s a favorite and a book i will cherish for years.
tomb sweeping, by alexandra chang
this was Subtle Asian Book Club’s September book of the month and it truly did not disappoint. although it is another short story collection, the feeling and *vibes* were completely different from Bliss Montage. where Bliss Montage toed the line of dystopian and sci-fi, tomb sweeping observed the seemingly mundane and everyday-ness of life. it made me feel a lot of feelings –– angst, sorrow, joy, confusion –– but most of all, it made me feel seen. it was definitely a more personal book for me, as a Chinese-American from California who worries about her parents often. (a number of stories have these themes lol)
films!
as someone studying film, i must include my favorite films.
frances ha (2012)
i first watched frances ha sometime in high school and honestly don’t remember much about it. but in my recent rewatch, it is now one of my all-time favorites. a beautiful film that captures the essence of growing up in your 20s, changing friendships, and living in new york city. also the screenwriting is so good. greta gerwig supremacy.
oppenheimer (2023)
i finally watched oppenheimer on the last day it was showing on 70mm imax. it was 10am on a sunday and pouring rain, but the theatre was still packed and the film did not disappoint. i can understand the hype for this feat. i definitely need to rewatch to have a better understanding of the film, but maybe in a few months because it was a Lot.
the conformist (1970)
i watched this in one of my film classes and i am obsessed!!! pure art!! bernardo bertolucci was truly doing so much with this. the framing, cinematographer, and color-grading? muah. the depth of characters and political commentary? MUAH. anyway, please watch this. you will not regret it.
products!
okay now here are some things/products i’ve been loving lately, in no particular order:
baggu’s hello kitty laptop case: this summer, i was (and still am) obsessed with baggu. i got one of their puffy bags to use as a school bag and it’s truly the perfect size. however, i wasn’t sure if it would fit a laptop case considering my laptop fit perfectly. but!! i love the new baggu collab so much that i decided to get the puffy laptop case anyway. and it fit!! i was so surprised because i used another laptop case that seemed formfitting, but it somehow did not work. anyway, big fan and i am in love. rent the runway: earlier this year, one of my roommates hosted a ‘prom night’ and i decided to rent my dress for that event and i was thoroughly impressed with rent the runway. i used it for a few months before pausing my membership. then, summer rolled around and i rented a barbie-themed outfit (among other pieces) and i was properly sold. i really like the items they have in their selection and it helps me test out my style. i’m always trying to shop more sustainably and am not the best at detecting if i want something because of a trend or because i truly want it. but with rent the runway, i can try some of that experimentation out! also i always get compliments on my outfit when i wear rtr pieces. it’s a win for me. uniqlo ultra light down: i recently got sent a PR package from uniqlo which is INSANE to me because i love everything they have. however… i never thought i’d want or wear one of their ultra light down puffers. i have one of their ultra light vests, but i usually only wear it for ballet. personally, i didn’t think it was very stylish/fit my closet despite its functionality (and my mom’s insistence that it’s a great piece considering she has them in varying colors). anyway. i got sent an ultra light down in this PR package and suddenly i’m wearing it all the time. it is so light, comfortable, and honestly… stylish! i was missing out, but now i’m part of uniqlo’s puffer club <3 repetto red shoes: these are the shoes of the season. truly!! i have a ballet flat obsession and i think it’s because i healed my ballet era so i am embracing the ballet aesthetic and balletcore. (also! reformation x new york city ballet collab is my dream…… i’ve yet to purchase anything but i am crying at everything) rare beauty lip gloss: honestly, i love everything rare beauty makes. but i recently got their stay vulnerable glossy lip balm in nearly mauve and it is so beautiful. not too sticky and i love the color so much. brooklyn candle studio: i love candles year-round, but i think they’re especially fitting for autumn. this is one of my favorite candle companies and all their scents are truly divine.other + final favorite
okay i didn’t know where to categorize this, but i had to include it in my list. and that is…. new york city ballet’s 75th anniversary season! i think i went to a ballet show once every week for the past 2 months (lol i have an obsession). anyway, no regrets! this season is so great and i’m having the best time. i’m incredibly grateful to live in NYC where i’m able to have the opportunity to watch ballets quite frequently. also for the $30 tickets for younger audiences.
note: some of the links are affiliate links! i make a small commission if you purchase through the link, but does not cost extra on your part. <3
i hope you’re doing well and sending all the love!
xoxo
alexandra
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