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Cool tools really work.
A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful. We post things we like and ignore the rest. Suggestions for tools much better than what is recommended here are always wanted.
Imarhan Signed Vinyl - I’ve been a huge fan of Desert Blues, a type of music from the Sahara Desert often performed by the Tuareg, a Berber people who live across the desert. The genre first became widely known through the band Tinariwen, who started making music to support the Tuareg cause during the conflicts in Mali and Niger. Some of the band members even received military training by Gaddafi’s government. Today, there’s a new wave of bands that often sing about similar themes, including the nomadic way of life, political struggles, and cultural memory. Despite not understanding the lyrics, the music really strikes a chord with me. Imarhan is my absolute favorite and ended up in my Spotify Top 5 two years in a row, so I was thrilled to get a signed vinyl at their last concert.
The Sorrow of War by Bảo Ninh - Whenever I travel to a new country, I buy 1-2 books by local authors to gain better insight into the culture. During our family trip to Vietnam, I found The Sorrow of War, which is the fictional account of a Vietnamese soldier who was 1/10 survivors out of a brigade of 500. It’s been one of my favorite books ever since, not only because it provides a very refreshing counter-perspective to the many American books and films out there, but also because it’s wonderfully written from the perspective of an ex-soldier with PTSD who constantly gets catapulted back into the war and gradually tells the reader the full story through these fragments.
Pedemeia(Colorful) Socks - I love colorful and high-quality socks. One summer in Portugal, I ran into this small store that only sells socks, often at great summer discounts. Ever since, whenever I visit Portugal, I buy a few pairs, but the last time I was glad to hear that they now ship internationally.
DIGITAL
GOWOD Stretch App - When I was younger, I played a lot of basketball and never worried much about my health. Now, in my mid-thirties, after years behind a desk, I’ve spent almost 10 years struggling with neck pain. Several months ago, I discovered the stretching app GOWOD, and it’s the first thing that has genuinely helped. The app first measures your flexibility through a series of exercises, then creates a personalized stretching routine. Every month you can retake the test and track your progress, which I’ve found surprisingly motivating.
Radiooooo - I’m always on the lookout for new music and, despite the many streaming platforms, often struggle to discover new artists I really like. That’s why I love Radiooooo. The five O’s stand for the five continents, and the platform lets you explore music by country and decade. The songs are uploaded by users and curated by a group of French DJs, making it a great place to discover lesser-known music in a world full of algorithms.
INVISIBLE
When you don’t know what to read/watch/do next, instead of trying to fill that empty space, just wait and give life a chance to respond.
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