Current reads

Kate Greene spent four months in 2013 living in an isolated geodesic dome as part of Nasa's Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (Hi-Seas) and recounts the experience in Once Upon a Time I Lived On Mars. The book is a collection of well-researched reflections and anecdotes, on topics ranging from isolation, socialisation around meals, guinea pigs and feeling removed from planet Earth. Given how the last year has gone, it's impossible not to draw connections between her experience and the pandemic. NG

Even having to pay close to €20 in import duty did not spoil the excitement of picking up my package containing Excavate!: The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall. Edited by Bob Stanley and Tessa Norton, the book is crammed with essays, art work and even facsimiles of handwritten notes--a veritable treasure trove for fans of the brilliantly unique Mancunian band and its leader, Mark E. Smith. DR

Digital highlights

We all probably know about Clubhouse but I joined late last year and have stumbled on some very awkward and funny conversations. It’s an invite-only social media app that provides access to conference calls on diverse topics in large or small groups. You can access conversations on literally any subject you can think of: from understanding the principles of trading and crypto investments (nowhere near being an expert on the subject yet, but hopefully someday) to art, music, fashion, self-development or comedy. AO

Saccharine affirmations and mantras have their place but when you need a day off, there is the Facebook group Ominous Positivity Memes. Far from being a simple parody, the group channels the universe’s more aggressive love-filled memes to help crack people up and out of a funk. Think alternative therapy, without the essential oils, weird music and massive bill. JB

Listen to this

L.E.J's song titled Summer 2020, a mashup of different songs in French, English and Spanish by the French all-girl band. They came to the limelight in 2015. The three women, born in 1993, come from the Parisian suburbs, Saint Denis, and have been best friends since they were children. The harmony from all three voices combined is quite magical and a key attribute of all their hit songs. AO

I came across Great Spans Of Muddy Time, the new album by William Doyle (who used to perform under the name India Youth), thanks to the weekly mailout from Manchester’s Piccadilly Records. It is an album that veers between gorgeous heartfelt pop songs and soundscape experimentation--he cites Robert Wyatt, early Brian Eno, Robyn Hitchcock and Syd Barret as influences. It is mesmerising, artful stuff that will surely have Doyle nominated for another Mercury Prize. DR

Essential viewing

Armando Iannucci’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Personal History of David Copperfield never quite received the attention it deserved in the pandemic-hit release year 2020. But the film has now arrived on Netflix, where it will hopefully have a second life. It is an absolute delight--entertaining funny, intelligent and unexpected. Iannucci takes on the Dickensian world of Victorian England with a vivid imagination and an outstanding cast, led by Dev Patel as the eponymous (anti) hero. CS

New York City's Knoedler Gallery had to close in 2011 after 165 years when faced with lawsuits linked to what turned out to be the largest art fraud in American history. The new Netflix documentary, Made You Look, sheds light on the characters at the centre of this $80m scandal, with input from journalists and lawyers familiar with the case, art historians, and more. It's a story that's nearly impossible to believe which makes for fun watching. NG

It’s not exactly a new release, but I recently discovered the UK sitcom Lovesick (2014-2018) on Netflix. Set in Glasgow, it stars Johnny Flynn as Dylan, a 20-something hopeless romantic who takes a chlamydia diagnosis to revisit past loves while grappling with a secret crush on best friend Evie. It’s funny, charming, bumblingly British and comes with a great soundtrack. CS

For foodies

This month I'm hooked on La Main Noire's sticky chai. Not only does it smell divine, but it's highly addictive. NG

For more monthly tips, bookmark this page or sign up for our newsletter.