Current reads
Early in the confinement period it was difficult to concentrate on reading for pleasure but the compact and compelling “Exit West”, by Mohsin Hamid, changed that. In a mash up of worlds, we follow a young couple as they escape war through mysterious doors that appear all over the planet. Hamid’s empowering narrative on the refugee experience is refreshing and accessible. JB
I’ve always loved reading National Geographic, but I have found myself turning to it more during the lockdown for a variety of reasons. Their recently-launched “Learn at home” portal has been a lifesaver as I try homeschooling a very curious toddler, but I’ve been impressed at their other creative initiatives too, like their AR-augmented cover timed for Earth Day. NG
Listen to this
I know a lot of people are turning to nature to help process anxiety during this uncertain time. The days I’ve not had time to take a walk, I’ve listened to the incredible BBC Earth podcast. Its immersive stories about the wonders of nature, science and the human experience are poetic and take you on a physical and emotional journey. JB
I’ve been captivated by BC Camplight’s “Shortly After Takeoff”, a deeply personal album by New Jersey native Brian Christinizio. It is, in his own words, an “an examination of madness and loss” that tackles his own mental illness and dealing with the death of his father, Angelo. Not exactly gladdening confinement listening, you might surmise. But this is a gorgeous, complex yet wonderfully melodic, heartbreaking yet sometimes shockingly funny record. Its clever lyrics are packed with cultural reference, many of which invoke Christinizio’s adopted hometown of Manchester (it is, in fact, the third of a “Manchester trilogy”). For fans of John Grant, Harry Nilsson and Brian Wilson. DR
New life skills
I had purchased a Monstera deliciosa plant ages ago to perk up a room, liking its low maintenance and tropical greenery, but it had grown too quickly! Not being a real gardener, during lockdown I finally learned how to prune it and that it can easily be propagated as well--bringing this jungle plant to other spaces--but this led me down this gardening rabbit hole where I learned all the other common plants that can easily be propagated. NG
Last November, my colleague Jess Bauldry and I made homemade liqueurs for a magazine feature. I actually ended up making half a dozen bottles of limoncello. It turned out much better than I had thought it would. So, after some personal consumption, and giving some away, my stock is running dangerously low and now I’m planning to concoct my next batch. If you see me at a farmers market (in a couple weeks from now, obviously) then help me track down some juicy citrus fruit. AG
I’ve been experimenting with sourdough recipes since the start of the lockdown (my “Pain-dora” starter is still bubbling away quite nicely) and--although I have yet to make that perfect loaf of bread--there has been some improvement, in part thanks to tips from Mike at Prohomecooks.com. Baking is also a great way to pass the long hours with the little ones. NG
Essential viewing
Jeff Gibbs’ documentary “Planet of the Humans”, available for free on YouTube, has turned the world on its head. Many fans of executive producer Michael Moore’s films have vociferously decried the film, while those who would usually go nowhere near a Moore film have been calling “Planet of the Humans” essential viewing. It is a devisive film that is basically an attack on the green energy movement and greenwashing, with a premise that the promoters and supporters of wind farms, solar parks and especially biomass plants are no better than those advocating for fossil fuels. It often fails to follow up on some of its more interesting topics, for instance, how to tackle what one talking head calls “the herd of elephants in the room” that is over-population. It can also be frustratingly simple in its conclusions--typical Moore, then. But its view that there is a “cancerous capitalism that rules the world, now hiding under a cover of green” is not far off the mark. DR
Remote working
I initially thought of calling this a “home office survival guide” but it’s mostly a collection of somewhat amusing and occasionally disturbing anecdotes rather than practical recommendations. Work-life balance: The average workday during the covid-19 lockdown is 3 hours longer in the US and 2 hours longer in France, Spain and the UK, per Bloomberg. Screen stress: Mental health professionals in Hong Kong are concerned by the growing number of “Zoom fatigue” cases, per the South China Morning Post. Bad teleconferences: A local planning official in the San Francisco Bay Area resigned after being seen throwing his pet cat and drinking beer during a public Zoom meeting, per the Associated Press. Spice up teleconferences: A farm in the US state of North Carolina is renting a miniature donkey and other animals which can crash company conference calls and online classrooms, per the Associated Press. AI: If you’re tired of videoconferences, you can create an automated ‘zoombot’ to take your place during meetings, per Popular Mechanics. Office audio tracks: If you want to recreate a noisy work environment, then go to the “Sound of colleagues” website. Virtual fashion: GQ examines guys wearing hats during video meetings. Animal spirits: Most pets are probably enjoying the work-at-home period, but some may get stressed, which is why experts told Vox it is important to keep daily routines intact. Be philosophical: A writer at The New Yorker has learned to, if not love, appreciate Zoom calls. Afterhours: GQ has a guide on taking and sending nude pictures of yourself (disclaimer: I haven’t tried this, so no guarantees). AG
Social media
Charlatans singer Tim Burgess now has his own Twitter emoji following the success since confinement of #TimsTwitterListeningParty. The concept is simple. Everyone listens to an album at the same time and Tim hosts a live tweet chat with the makers of the album, allowing listeners to join in what is a track-by-track analysis that often features surprising revelations from the artists themselves. The roster moves between recent releases and the classics. Recent favourites have included Martin Stephenson doing his debut album “Boat To Bolivia”, Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub commenting on the seminal “Bandwagonesque”, and Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert reflecting on New Order’s “Power Corruption and Lies”. Highlights on the horizon are listening parties featuring albums by Aztec Camera, Roisin Murphy, Calexico, 10CC, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The The and Sleaford Mods. Check out the schedule here. DR