Read
The End We Start From, Megan Hunter
“A post-apocalyptic flooded world wrapped up in stripped back, yet poetic prose that is somehow both saddening and uplifting. So many parts of it feel pertinent right now, as does the hopeful note it leaves the reader on.”
Recommended by Clare Howdle
At Home, Bill Bryson
“A very comforting and super interesting read (especially at this time) as it deals with the history of the home and private life, of people going quietly about their business in the home.”
Recommended by Carly Klineberg
Why People Photograph, Robert Adams
“An incredible read for all visual artists, not just photographers. It’s very easy, and you could finish in a day or two. It’s a nice book to dip in and out of for times when you need inspiration. It’s broken down into different topics, from humour to landscape, on which different photographers focus.”
Recommended by Jon Denham
Watch
My Neighbour Totoro (Studio Ghibli), on Netflix
“Netflix has some Studio Ghibli films on at the moment – we watched My Neighbour Totoro the other night and it was pretty comforting (and I’d forgotten how bananas it is!).”
Recommended by Laura Morrison
Still Bill: The Bill Withers Story
“I first watched this brilliant BBC4 documentary about 10 years ago, but came back to it on the sad news of his passing. It’s not on iPlayer anymore so you have to settle for a slightly sketchy YouTube version, but it’s still so worth it. Beyond the amazing music, getting to know the man is enlightening and sometimes hilarious. I never knew he’d been installing toilets on aircraft (including cameras: “If you’ve ever been to the toilet on a 747, I know you very well…”) just before topping the charts. It’s moving stuff – best served with a glass of something strong, plugged into speakers and turned up loud.”
Recommended by Helen Gilchrist
The Outsider, on Sky Atlantic
“Based on the book by Stephen King. This is a great series to binge-watch. It’s dark and sinister, as you’d expect. Starring the good men, Jason Bateman and Ben Mendelsohn.”
Recommended by Jon Denham
La Vita Nuova, Christine and the Queens
“Mary-Anne Hobbs recommended a mega music video feature film that is on Christine and the Queens‘ website.”
Recommended by Paul Dicken
Lockdown Surf X Film Festival
“Our good friends at the London Surf | Film Festival rustled this free online film festival up in record time, to bring a great collection of films from all over the world straight to our sofas. They’re ‘event screenings’, so each film is only available for 24 hour period, accompanied by Q&As/ interviews with directors etc. I really enjoyed La Ola Sin Fronteras about a journey through the Falkland Islands, but there’s all sorts coming up.”
Recommended by Helen Gilchrist
Listen
Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review, BBC Sounds app
“Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review is a must listen right now, particularly because most of the films that were on cinema release are now going straight to streaming, so there’s never been a better time to become a cinephile.”
Recommended by Clare Howdle
Reply All – Episode #158 “The Case of the Missing Hit”, Gimlet Media
“This podcast is simply a fun distraction.”
Recommended by Laura Morrison
The Future Starts Here, John Higgs
“Adam Buxton was raving about this book on his 2019 Christmas podcast with Joe Cornish, so I was intrigued to dive into the audiobook on my journeys into work (remember that?). Buxton and Cornish were riffing on the chapter that explores why the metamodern generation hate John Hughes’ 1985 film The Breakfast Club, but the scope of the book is immense. Taking in everything from AI and our fear of being replaced, to consciousness (including some fascinating facts about octopuses), to the challenges of living on Mars, “psychic pollution” and smartphone addiction, to strange experimental music nights under Brighton station, it’s a riveting and, ultimately hopeful, ride.”
Recommended by Helen Gilchrist