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How to Read More Books in Lockdown

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How to Read More Books in Lockdown

We all have a lot more time on our hands at the moment. With the lockdown still going, people are spending a lot more time at home than usual, and without sufficient stimulation, it’s easy to get bored. That’s why this is the perfect time to get stuck into new hobbies or projects. Many people are taking up baking or gardening, or completing jigsaw puzzles as a family. Others have turned to more cultural forms of entertainment and have resolved to use this free time to read more books.

Whether you’re a prolific bibliophile or an infrequent reader, books are a fantastic way to open up your mind to new worlds and possibilities. They provide a healthy distraction from the gloomy news cycle and negative social media debates. So put down your phone, pick up a book and experience the transformative joy of reading.

If you’re struggling to read as much as you would like to in lockdown, here are some tips to help you make the most of this extra reading time.

Always carry a book

A great way to fit more reading into your daily life is to always have a book close to hand. This allows you to fill all those small gaps throughout your day. Read a few pages when queuing at the store, waiting for your coffee to brew, or even while you’re on the toilet. All these short periods add up, and it is a much more fulfilling way to pass the time than scrolling aimlessly through social media.

Create a reading space

Creating a personal space in which to read can make the activity more special and enjoyable. Find a place in your home to make a cosy reading nook for yourself. Your space must be comfortable, well-lit and free from distractions. Personalize it however you like, with furniture, book storage, artwork, blankets or cushions. If you’re struggling for inspiration, take a look at some of these incredible reading nooks.

Make sure conditions are perfect

Reading requires concentration. When you sit down to immerse yourself in a good book, you want to be sure that you won’t be distracted. Kids running around, TV on in the background or an unfinished job hanging over your head are all going to make it hard to stay focused. Make sure the conditions are perfect. Carve out some time, make a cup of tea, shut out any background noise and lock yourself away. Is your reading space ideally suited to the task? Make sure you are comfortable, and the room is not too hot or cold. If you’re planning to read more books, you should also make sure your eyes are up to the job. If you have poor eyesight, you may need to take a look at some reading glasses to avoid eye strain and headaches. 

Read what you love

One sure way to fail at your reading goals is to pick a difficult book. Don’t feel obliged to battle your way through a wordy classic novel. Pick what you love to read and don’t feel pressured by the opinions of critics. If your book pile makes you happy, you will be able to make much more progress.

Listen to audiobooks

If you find yourself getting distracted while reading, an audiobook may be the answer. Switching book formats between physical and audio can keep you interested for longer. Listening to a book also allows you to read while multitasking. You can make your way through your book list while doing the laundry, cooking or working out.

Give yourself options

Having multiple books on the go at one time means you always have several options from which to choose. You can pick up whatever suits your mood at that time, and if you’ve had enough with one book, move onto another. Try having two or three different styles or genres at the ready. For example, you could simultaneously choose to read a work of nonfiction, an easy-to-read fiction novel, and a more serious piece of classic literature.

Get others involved

Reading doesn’t have to be a solo affair; it can be a communal hobby if you choose. Getting others involved in your reading habits can make it more enjoyable and better motivate you to hit your targets. Convince a friend to read a book you are enjoying, or accept recommendations from a loved one and have a discussion about it. You could even consider starting a virtual book club to share your love of reading with distant friends and family.

Isolation Activity Ideas to Keep You Sane

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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Isolation Activity Ideas to Keep You Sane

Bored of being bored? After a number of months in lockdown, it has become a little tedious now and most of us are keen to get back to normality. But the pandemic isn’t over yet, we still need to be staying home as much as possible to control the virus and that means keeping ourselves busy. Here are a few ideas for going about it. 

Arts and Crafts

If you’re a lover of Pinterest, you’ll know the site is crammed with ideas for crafts that are appropriate for all skill levels. This kind of task encourages creativity and imagination, something we don’t tend to get much time to practice and enjoy as adults when we work mundane jobs. It’s a lot of fun, and if you’re good at what you do you could even start an Etsy business selling the end product. Think jewellery making, candle or soap making, painting, design- the list is endless. 

Gaming

It might not be the most productive hobby, but there’s no doubt that gaming can be fun and can kill a few hours when you’re sat at home bored. Whether it’s an app, a PC game or a console, you’ve usually got the option to play alone or with others. If you have real life friends who use the same gaming platform as you, you could even arrange an online session where you play and chat and socialise- perfect since meeting up isn’t possible right now. 

TV day

One of the great things to come out of lockdown (if you’re not still going to work) is having some time to just relax and kickback. It’s such a rare thing to happen, we spend most of our lives stuck in the rat race and maintaining our routines, that time to indulge in movies and tv series only usually happens at Christmas. If there’s a series you’ve always wanted to watch from the beginning, now is definitely the time to do that. Troypoint reviews best VPN for Firestick so along with Netflix and cable tv if you have it, you certainly shouldn’t be short on options and things to watch. You’ll still want to maintain some normality in your life by exercising, eating meals and sleeping at the normal times, but if you have a day with nothing at all planned then put your feet up and really enjoy it. Realistically, when are you ever going to get chance to do this again?!

Baking

Baking is something that many of us have gotten into since lockdown restrictions were put in place, as it’s a fun and relaxing activity that can be done at home. And plus, you get to eat whatever you’ve baked afterwards! From cakes and cookies to bread and pastries, there are plenty of different routes to go down. Whether you’re already a skilled baker or a total beginner, there will be projects for you to try. 

Phoebe Bridgers Covers Bright Eyes’ Classic ‘First Day of My Life’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Phoebe Bridgers Covers Bright Eyes’ Classic ‘First Day of My Life’

Phoebe Bridgers has covered Bright Eyes’ classic 2005 song ‘First Day of My Life’, taken from the band’s critically acclaimed album I’m Wike Awake It’s Morning. Listen to it below.

The singer-songwriter’s stripped-back rendition is part of music streaming platform Deezer’s Home Sessions, a lockdown-themed session series launched in May dedicated to getting artists to record covers from their home studios during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is not the first time Bridgers, who formed the project Better Oblivion Community Center with Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst in 2018, has covered an Oberst song. Earlier this year, she shared a cover of his song ‘Mamah Borthwick (a Sketch)’ for charity.

Bridgers, who is gearing up for the release of her new album Punisher on June 19th, will be performing a quarantine live show today (June 4th) at 7pm UK time on Saturday (June  6th) for DIYsolation. In response to worldwide protests over the death of George Floyd, the event will also serve as a fundraiser for The Bail Project, which is helping protestors get out of jail. All profits from merchandise sales will also be donated to the organization.

Sustainable Fashion: How to Trade & Sell Your Clothes

Modestas Mankus
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Sustainable Fashion: How to Trade & Sell Your Clothes

Only 15% of consumer-used clothing is recycled. However, with a lack of outlets promoted, and sometimes the fees that come along with selling clothes, it is understandable why the average consumer would throw away their clothes instead of re-using, selling or trading them. To tackle this issue during a difficult time, we have compiled a list of ways to sell or trade your unused or old clothes, so you can save some money and also help the environment by giving your clothes a longer lifetime.

Selling Your Old Clothes via Depop or Vinted

Many outlets let you sell your old clothes, but the most popular ones people use are Depop and Vinted. Both of these platforms can be great for making some extra money without having to throw away your clothes, wastefully.

In terms of fees, Depop will automatically charge the 10% fee on the total transaction amount. So for example, if you sell something that totals £20, Depop will receive £2. On the other hand, Vinted is free to list on. However, some variable and fixed fees apply to buyers.

If you are looking to sell on Depop, you will need their Depop app, which is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Vinted also has an app which you can download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Selling via Facebook Marketplace/Gumtree

If you want to cut down on posting fees and help the environment, selling locally is the way. Using places such as Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree is a great way to find local buyers. You can make these sales in cash which is great if you want to use that money for something else without paying processing fees.

Trading via Social Media

A powerful method of trading clothes has grown in sustainable fashion communities across social media, more specifically through platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. For this method, I would recommend making a seperate account for trading clothes, and presenting them well — to inspire someone to trade their clothes with yours.

Trading Clothes with Friends

Another way of getting rid of your old clothes and replacing them with new ones without spending anything is by trading them with your friends. From swap parties to a simple friend to friend trade, trading with friends is one of the best ways to make sure your clothes find an extended life with a new owner. The method of trading clothes will not just revamp your wardrobe but will also help the environment by extending the lifetime the clothes.

One of the easiest ways to trade clothes is by finding a friend or a person who has a similar or same sized clothing as you. To start, give a friend a shout via social media or text, and see if they are interested. If they need persuading, bring them some facts about sustainable fashion, fast fashion and how trading clothes doesn’t just help both of you, but also the broader system.

Moreover, swap parties are becoming more popular. To host one, all you need is some space, and a few people that are looking to trade clothes. You can make this as straightforward or as complex as you want. From formal invitations to rules, the world is your oyster when it comes to hosting these parties. Make sure to keep things as positive as possible by not spending much money organising it and by being clear on the terms and conditions of the swap party.

Unable to Sell or Trade

If you’re finding it hard to sell or trade and you are thinking of just throwing away your clothes. Do not. There are many other ways you can use your clothes by merely revamping them or re-using them for other purposes. If you have a ripped up t-shirt, think about turning it into a bandana or a piece of cloth which you can use around the house. Have some ripped jeans? Try turning them into a pair of shorts. Your best friend will be YouTube and sustainable fashion blogs that create excellent tutorials on revamping clothes. If these options do not work, and your garments are in good condition, you can donate them to charity. Lastly, make sure to find out how charities treat the clothes if they are not sold or listed in their stores, as burning good quality garments is just as wasteful.

Album Review: Lady Gaga, ‘Chromatica’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: Lady Gaga, ‘Chromatica’

“I’ll be your enigma,” Lady Gaga belts out on the chorus of ‘Enigma’, a highlight off her sixth studio album, Chromatica. As a chameleonic pop star whose image was built on artifice, Gaga seems to not only be reclaiming that narrative as her own rather than one forced upon her, but also suggesting that she will continue to embrace it in the future. She knows she can be anything she wants, even as her last studio albums suggested that she might be finally tearing away those layers to reveal who the real Stefani Germanotta is – first, with 2013’s bold, left-field Artpop, in which she simultaneously presented her most unfiltered and most outlandish self, and then with 2016’s stripped-back, rootsy Joanne, which turned out to be little more than another well-orchestrated performance.

Chromatica might not be the natural evolution some might have expected from Gaga following her Oscar-nominated turn in A Star is Born, but it’s also not just another mask for her to hide behind. Instead, the album finds her revamping not her own style but that of her environment by traveling to the universe of Chromatica, a loosely developed concept that mostly boils down to Gaga’s drive to create an alternative space – and soundtrack – for those keen to abandon planet Earth. Musically, it harkens back to her electropop heyday, and though it lacks the kind of stratospheric hooks that propelled her to stardom, it mostly makes up for it with a sense of blissful defiance that gives Chromatica its unique colour. And though the album may initially come off as oddly monotonous and indistinctive for Gaga, its ideas never fully run dry, with more than enough deliriously enjoyable dance-pop moments to keep you engaged.

In fact, the album’s thin sonic palette almost serves to amplify Gaga’s voice and vision, allowing space for some of her most revealing and personal songwriting. “Turnin’ up emotional faders/ Keep repeating self-hating phrases,” she sings on the throbbing ‘911’, before opening up about ingesting anti-psychotic drugs, while ‘Rain on Me’ deals with alcohol abuse. Of the tracks where Gaga reflects on her own image, ‘Replay’ is the most lyrically interesting, as it finds her exploring the conflict between the artist and the person (“The monster is hiding me”), while the self-explanatory ‘Plastic Doll’ has one of the album’s most euphoric hooks that’s reminiscent of a Charli XCX banger. By far the least successful, though, is ‘Alice’, a 90s-inspired house throwback that seeks to jumpstart the record but whose metaphor falls flat as it attempts to paint some sort of parallel between Wonderland and Chromatica.

But it’s those moments of self-reflection that allow Gaga to let herself go on tracks like the propulsive ‘Stupid Love’ or the empowering ‘Free Woman’, in which she flaunts her powerful voice against a disappointingly dry beat. While Chromatica is undoubtedly Gaga’s game, it’s partly thanks to the guest collaborators that are sprinkled throughout that the album doesn’t feel entirely one-note. Gaga and Ariana Grande play off each other’s strengths perfectly on the disco-inspired ‘Rain On Me’, while the unexpected contribution from K-pop group BLACKPINK on ‘Sour Candy’ sounds slick and infectious, if not entirely memorable. Gaga and Elton John teaming up on ‘Sine from Above’ sounds like a match made in heaven (and it is), but it’s the song’s absurd concept and oddly transcendent late-track breakdown that steals the show. With these tracks, Gaga is embracing the idea that a collaborator can offer so much more to a song than just a marketable guest verse – and in album about “all the colours”, bringing those worlds together makes it feel all the more vibrant.

There’s no denying that Mother Monster can carry a tune on her own, though, and ‘Enigma’, a pop anthem of epic proportions if there ever was one, might be the best example of that. Still, the album is bogged down by its lesser moments, like the vapid ‘Fun Tonight’ or the derivative closer ‘Babylon’, in which the absurdity of the track’s concept is pushed a bit too far – even for Gaga. Chromatica might not be the fully-realized world that its instrumental interludes try to hint at, but it certainly succeeds in delivering more than a few fabulously larger-than-life, nostalgic dance bops. This might not be Gaga shedding the artifice, but it feels like a liberating affirmation that she can paint the world without being anything less than herself.

Bandcamp to Donate Profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Konstantinos Pappis
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Bandcamp to Donate Profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Bandcamp has announced it will be donating 100% of its profits for 24 hours to the NAACP Legal Defense on June 19. The music platform’s decision is in direct response to the ongoing protests over the killing of George Floyd and other instances of racial injustice, while also marking Juneteenth, the anniversary of enslaved African Americans being informed of their liberation in the former Confederate States of America in 1865.

“The recent killings of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the ongoing state-sanctioned violence against black people in the US and around the world are horrific tragedies,” Bandcamp co-founder Ethan Diamond wrote in a post on the platform’s website. “We stand with those rightfully demanding justice, equality, and change, and people of color everywhere who live with racism every single day, including many of our fellow employees and artists and fans in the Bandcamp community.”

The platform also commited to waiving its revenue shares for “every Juneteenth hereafter”, as well as “allocating an additional $30,000 per year to partner with organizations that fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of color.”

Diamond added: “The current moment is part of a long-standing, widespread, and entrenched system of structural oppression of people of color, and real progress requires a sustained and sincere commitment to political, social, and economic racial justice and change. We’ll continue to promote diversity and opportunity through our mission to support artists, the products we build to empower them, who we promote through the Bandcamp Daily, our relationships with local artists and organizations through our Oakland space, how we operate as a team, and who and how we hire.”

Read the full statement here.

This Friday, June 5th, Bandcamp will waive its revenue shares for the fourth time to support musicians impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

YG Shares New Protest Track ‘FTP’

Konstantinos Pappis
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YG Shares New Protest Track ‘FTP’

As nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd continue to grow, YG has released a new protest track titled ‘FTP (F-ck the Police)’. Listen to it below.

The California rapper announced the song on Instagram, adding that he had to cancel his previously planned Hollywood and Vine demonstration in Los Angeles for safety reasons. “I was told today that my protest is not safe, and people could get hurt or shot,” he explained. “I’m not trying to get none of my people hurt or shot so I’mma cancel the date.”

“It’s f—ed up but I’m gonna come back bigger and better,” the rapper continued. “I’m partnering with Black Lives Matter and we gonna do this s— the right way. For the people, for the city, and for all the artists that wanna pop out and participate.”

The rapper also revealed that he released the song on YouTube without the help of his label. “They kant (sic) censor me,” he wrote.

Produced by Swish and Larry J, ‘FTP’ follows YG’s previous protest song with the late Nipsey Hussle, ‘FDT (Fuck Donald Trump)’, which dropped during the 2016 US election.

Terrace Martin, Denzel Curry, Kamasi Washington, G Perico, and Daylyt Share Protest Song ‘PIG FEET’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Terrace Martin, Denzel Curry, Kamasi Washington, G Perico, and Daylyt Share Protest Song ‘PIG FEET’

Terrace Martin has shared a new track featuring Denzel Curry, Kamasi Washington, G Perico, and Daylyt. Titled ‘PIG FEET’, the track arrives amidst a national uprising against systemic racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd. Check out the song, alongside a music video showing images from protests as well as the names of black people who have been killed by police officers, below.

The video opens with sounds of gunshots accompanied by the statement: “This video is happening right outside your window.”

Backed by Washington’s tenor saxophone, Curry delivers his verse: “Helicopters over my balcony/ If the police can’t harass/ They wanna smoke every ounce of me.” He continues: “Murder was the case they gave us/ Manipulate the system so the prison could save us/ Nothin’ can save us.”

Terrace Martin, who co-produced six tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, wrote: “Someone asked, how do I feel? I told them hurt, fearless, angry, aware and fully ready to protect me, my family & my people at all cost. I get together with my Black men that felt the same way and created a work of truth. PIG FEET.”

Caucasus University by Vlad Feoktistov

Modestas Mankus
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Caucasus University by Vlad Feoktistov

Vlad Feoktistov, a Russian photographer, presented a beautiful, heavenly photography series on the Caucasus University which is based in Tbilisi, Georgia. The photography series was created for an architecture company KOMHive.

Find more work by KOMHive here.

Find more photography by Vlad Feoktistov here and here.

Record Store Day 2020 Reveals Breakdown of Releases: David Bowie, The Cure, Billie Eilish, and More

Konstantinos Pappis
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Record Store Day 2020 Reveals Breakdown of Releases: David Bowie, The Cure, Billie Eilish, and More

Earlier this year, it was announced that Record Store Day would make adjustments to its schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the list of releases has been unveiled for three new release dates: August 29, September 26, and October 24. Check out the full list on the Record Store Day website.

The first instalment includes: a live album by David Bowie from the 1974 Soul Tour; pressings of Charli XCX’s Vroom Vroom EP and Robyn’s self-titled 2005 album (both on vinyl for the first time); reissues of The Cure’s Seventeen Seconds and Bloodflowers (celebrating their 40th and 20th anniversaries, respectively); a live album by Billie Eilish titled Live at Third Man Records; a live EP by Brittany Howard; Tyler, the Creator’s Cherry Bomb (along with an instrumental version); a box set of John Prine’s first four albums; a five-LP Philip Glass set called The Essential; a two 7″ vinyl by Christine and the Queens titled La vita nuova: sequences 2 et 3, featuring two new songs; a previously unreleased soundtrack for the film Rams by Brian Eno; a new collection of demos by Mac Demarco titled Other Here Comes The Cowboy Demos; a 3 x LP of Gorillaz’ D-Sides; a live album by Kevin Morby; and many more.

Out on September 26th are reissues of Roger Waters’ concert album The Wall, Natalie Prass’ self-titled debut, Destiny Child’s ‘Say My Name’, the Doors’ The Soft Parade, Lil Kim’s 9, Fleetwood Mac’s The Alternate Rumours (on vinyl for the first time), as well as a live album by Tegan and Sara titled Tonight In The Dark We’re Seeing Colors and one by Dinosaur Jr. titled Swedish Fist (Live In Stockholm); a double LP of Bill Evans’ Some Other Time: The Lost Session From The Black Forest and Nas’ God’s Son; a 12″ vinyl of Britney Spears’ Oops!…I Did It Again (Remixes and B-Sides); a reissue of Mikis Theodorakis’ Serpico, and more.

The final batch of releases, out on October 24, includes Beck’s ‘No Distraction / Uneventful Days’ 7″ (featuring a St. Vincent remix); a double LP of Miles Davis’ Double Image: Rare Miles From the Complete Bitches Brew Sessions; a reissue of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s Piñata; a 2xLP of Phillip Glass’ Koyaanisqatsi; Ryuichi Sakamoto’s soundtrack for Black Mirror: Smithereens, Jon Brion’s soundtrack for Synecdoche, New York, Randy Newman’s soundtrack for Avalon; and more.

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