Independent bookstores have struggled to keep their lights on during the pandemic, given low footfall and distribution challenges. Aiming to give people a more ethical way to fill their bookshelves, Bookshop.org enables readers to sidestep Amazon and order directly from their favourite independents.

Whether they’re providing low-stakes escapism or education on how to unlearn racial biases, books have been a crutch for many in the pandemic. In fact, the number of books sold surpassed 200 million in 2020, signalling a desire for slow, analog modes of entertainment and distraction.

As the COVID-19 pandemic restricts people’s movement, domestic habits are being shaken up to stave off boredom and maintain social ties. Canvas8 spoke to 18 people from around the world to understand how they’re spending their time in self-isolation and what new routines they’ve established.

Is gaming set to take over people’s free time? What are the limits of virtual reality? How have media producers adapted to pandemic-inspired needs? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to four experts about how people are finding both solace and escapism through screens.