Music: Beyoncé, Drake, Blink-182 and Radiohead
It’s already been a big year for music, but it’s not looking to slow down any time soon. We are currently in the midst of a spate of new releases from high profile artists that are lighting up the charts and our ears. First of all, Beyoncé’s triumphant new album Lemonade took the world by storm, enrapturing listeners with Queen Bey’s confessional tales and empowering lyrical sentiments. Following up close behind is hip-hop superstar Drake, who finally dropped his highly anticipated album Views through Apple Music. The album features Drake’s signature crooning and lush production, cementing his status as one of the titans of rap. Blink-182 has partially reunited to gift us another album of pop-punk jams, California, in the near future led by single ‘Bored To Death‘. Finally, anticipation is building for a new Radiohead album following the release of new single ‘Burn the Witch’ – an instant classic that is only increasing the hype surrounding the iconic band’s future moves.

Tech: GIPHY
It’s too early to say the age of Emojis is over, but we might have a good idea of its successor. Animated GIFs have been a part of the Internet vernacular for some time, but the medium is gradually becoming more prevalent on social media. GIPHY is has added functionality to Facebook to send quick snippets of shows and movies that perfectly sum up one’s own feelings, and now you can send your friend a hilarious Seinfeld or Simpsons GIF through text message. GIPHY has launched its own mobile app that will add an impressive selection of GIFs as a keyboard on your phone – much like Emoji. The app is currently only available on iPhone, but Android users can expect it to come their way in the near future.

Television: Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, Horace and Pete
If you aren’t on the Game of Thrones bandwagon, it’s not too late to jump aboard. One of the most popular shows in television history is back for its sixth season, and stakes have ratcheted up another level only a few episodes in. If Game of Thrones isn’t your thing, we are also really enjoying the return of Silicon Valley – a comedy about some loveable tech-heads trying to make their dreams come true in the high powered world of information technology. We are also loving the new show from Louis CK, Horace and Pete, a surprise hit that is available from Louis’ website. The show boasts an all-star cast of Steve Buscemi, Edie Falco, Alan Alda, Jessica Lange, Steven Wright and Hurt Metzger.

Books: Eligible, All Tomorrow’s Parties, The Regional Office Is Under Attack!
2016 is proving that books are still as vital as ever, with a host of new reads hitting shelves and earning acclaim around the world. Make some space on your bookshelf and consider investing in a few extra paperbacks. Eligible: A modern retelling of Pride and Pejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld places the members of the Bennet family and iconic characters such as Mr. Darcy in the surrounds of modern day New York City – with all the distractions and fads one would experience in a world city. All Tomorrow’s Parties: A Memoir is written by Rob Spillman, the cofounding editor of Tin House magazine. Rob recounts his upbringing in West Berlin, his search for bohemian life in East Berlin and his music-filled coming of age. Finally, The Regional Office Is Under Attack! By Manuel Gonzales is a new science-fiction romp about female assassins protecting the world from annihilation. 

Food trend: Pickling
Winter of 2016 is going to be all about pickling and fermenting. Several local eateries are getting into the pickling game as you are reading this, but the real trend is trying your hand at pickling and fermenting at home. Not only is eating fermented food good for your inner health (pickled goods are probiotic rich), but it is a great way to enjoy vegetables after they go out of season and aren’t as fresh as you’d like them to be. Invest in a ceramic fermentation crock and see what you can create.