winter solstice guide
a curated winter guide on books, media and travel (postcard vol. 015)
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Dear Flan,
Prelude
Winter is like a secret garden dusted in frost: familiar paths softened, bare branches glinting like silver, and every corner holding the promise of a magical discovery. The hush of the season invites you to notice the subtle wonders that usually go unseen.
“Winter dawn is the colour of metal, the trees stiff and silent, and the air a pale smoke.” — Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals.
This guide is slightly different from what I have written before.
In the past, I have shared winter recommendations and curated lists of books and films to capture the season’s mood. This year feels more personal. These selections are mostly my own winter list, gathered for this very moment, and this guide is an invitation to explore and discover them together (you can find winter threads in the chat; feel free to suggest thread ideas in the comments). They are the stories and films that feel like companions when the days shorten and the world has slowed down.
Winter lingers in literature and cinema as a season of memory and nostalgia.
This year’s edition will unfold through different layers of winter: from the solitude of reading to the intimacy of shared stories on film. Here’s what to expect inside:
Winter Reading List — my personal winter bookshelf, organised by category.
Winter on Film — cinematic works set in winter or rich with its atmosphere.
Other Winter Media — documentaries, TV series, and other gems.
Winter Hobbies & Games — activities that nurture warmth and creativity.
Travel Destinations — places that capture the hush and glow of winter.
This is not just a guide - it is an ode to winter.
For those who’d like to revisit my previous winter guide, you can find it here:
