#academialibrary

[these-wilde-nights]

running out of space on my bookshelves does not stop me from buying books at an alarmingly exponential rate

[these-wilde-nights]

winter dark academia

- waking up to cold mornings and condensation on your windows

- brewing a cup of hot coffee while reading a book

- wearing cozy sweaters and cardigans to stay warm

- draping your favorite long coat over your shoulders to create a mysterious silhouette

- stepping through heavy, packed snow as you walk to your morning class

- watching the glistening trees, pausing your podcast to admire them in their full glory

- combing your fingers through your hair to remove the falling snowflakes

- sipping hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire, turning the pages in your book leisurely

- stringing fairy lights to brighten up a dark room

- practicing your instrument in the evening, pretending to play at night - but the sun just sets early, but that’s not important

- relishing the long, dark hours to keep focused on your work

- listening to the quiet tones of claire de lune as you scribble through your essay

[these-wilde-nights]

spring academia

- waking up early to take a walk in the park and watch the sunrise

- reading outside on a swing as the wind tickles your hair

- tending to sprouting flowers while listening to podcasts

- sipping wine while taking a walk in the blooming gardens

- collecting little flowers to press in heavy old books

- reciting poetry late at night, comforted by the growing warmth

- handwriting letters to friends and lovers

- spreading out a blanket for a picnic where you and your friends discuss philosophy

- going thrifting to find old sweaters and vests

- studying in a cafe while sipping cold brew

- taking out your jane austen novels and reading them under trees

- listening to tchaikovsky and rachmaninoff as you get through your work 

[these-wilde-nights]

i want to be kissed in a bookstore

[these-wilde-nights]

autumn dark academia

finally time for your favorite knitted sweaters and turtlenecks

carving your favorite quotes and book characters into pumpkins

going on evening walks, listening to classical music while looking at all the beautiful trees

finding coffee shops and getting your favorite seasonal beverages

going to a second-hand bookstore, finding  a new cafe and reading your new books right away

sitting under a tree as you read and study, occasionally pulling leaves out of your hair

snuggling up in a cozy armchair, tossing a blanket over your lap, and reading to the light of a pumpkin scented candle

decorating your room and bookshelf with skulls and other assortments

putting your headphones in to listen to podcasts as you rake leaves

staying up all night reading by a window, looking outside occasionally at the streetlamps, wondering if the ghost of oscar wilde is out there somewhere

ink smears on your fingers as you annotate poetry, looking out the window at the colors

opening a window to let the cool autumn air in as you study, a leaf blowing through and landing on your desk

[these-wilde-nights]

summer academia

- finally abandoning your turtlenecks and long coats because it's just too hot now

- swapping them out for short-sleeved button-ups and lacy camisoles, and tucking your tops into plaid skirts and corduroy shorts

- getting iced coffees from your local café, cooling down after a hot summer afternoon

- cooking and baking your favorite light pastries, from cream puffs to baklava

- walking to a secondhand bookshop and finding copies of your favorite novels

- rearranging your bookshelves, bringing out The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as well as your copy of Little Women

- reading books in blooming flower gardens, surrounded by the flutter of butterflies as you read in the afternoon sun

- listening to podcasts as you walk long hikes

- reading philosophy early in the morning as you watch the sun rise

- taking advantage of the comfort of air-conditioned museums when it gets too hot

- watching operas, string quartets, and orchestras perform- many concerts occur outside during the summer months

- listening to mendelssohn, vivaldi, and gershwin's summer music, embracing the season to its fullest

[these-wilde-nights]

autumn reading list

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irvine

[these-wilde-nights]

dark academia date ideas

- touring a museum together (if you’re in quarantine, virtual tours of museums are an alternative)

- checking out books at the local library

- reading while on a picnic together, backs pressed against each other

- buying books at a second-hand bookshop

- studying in a cafe together, buying each other your favorite drink

- drawing or painting in the park

- walking outside at 2am, watching the stars and listening to the silence

- thrift shopping to find cool pieces for the other person

- binge-watching the queen’s gambit, crying at the finale

- discussing books, arguing over symbolism while flipping pages with angst

- going to the opera (if you’re in quarantine, opera in the park is a great alternative)

- dressing up and dancing to classical music (think bridgerton)