The past decade has seen political polarisation – accelerated by social media’s filter bubbles and echo chambers – deepen and mutate. An ominous era of a polycrisis has shattered any remaining societal consensus. Meanwhile, powerful anti-establishment voices have stepped into the void.

In the US, the pandemic exacerbated social and political rifts – with polarized visions of the world becoming even more acute. With the aim of combating such divisions, The Human Library provides people with the chance to discuss contentious issues with others outside of their social network.

UK book sales were higher in 2021 than they’ve been for a decade, a feat attributed to demand for fiction. Despite lockdowns ending, mobility continues to be restricted by testing obligations and travel costs. In the absence of holidays, books are satisfying the UK’s appetite for escapism.

Gen Zers are propelling BookTok, a trend that sees TikTokkers share their love of books. Charming millions of viewers, they're effectively conducting grassroots marketing campaigns, helping to build awareness of young adult fiction and connect their audiences through storytelling.

Facing prolonged isolation, financial uncertainty, and difficult (but much-needed) discussions around racism, the average American is grappling with a lot more than normal in 2020. Canvas8 spoke to eight people about how challenging times are shaping their communications with friends and family.