Books:
Non-fiction this year his proved thought-provoking. One that I think will stay with me for a long time is Unwell Women by Elinor Cleghorn, a fascinating yet horrifying look at the history of medical misogyny and the ways in which it unfortunately continues to impact the treatment women receive. What Everyone Knows About Britain by Michael Peel proved to be an interesting examination of Britain's past and present and how the former has influenced the latter. Wherever you sit on the political spectrum there's food for thought here, On a more whimsical note, I thoroughly enjoyed John Bevis' romp through the public library system in An English Library Journey. A reminder, if ever one were needed, of how precious our public libraries are.
On the fiction front, I have to mention This Motherless Land as it is by far the book I have recommended most this year. With villains you love to hate and a protagonist who is captivating and good without being unbelievably perfect, this book has so much to keep you hooked. The Little Paris Bookshop came to me at just the right time and its mix of whimsy and philosophy hit all the right buttons for me.
Live:
One of the highlights of live performance for me this year was English National Ballet's Swan Lake in the round, which I've been eager to see since it first graced the Albert Hall's stage. It did not disappoint - a spectacular, beautiful production. Another highlight was Spirited Away. Never having seen the anime, I was coming to it fresh but its sumptuous design, ingenious stagecraft, and sweet story made for an excellent evening of theatre.
Special mention too to the Paddington Experience, a new addition to London for 2024. An immersive experience that takes you through Paddington's cosy London home to the rainforests of Peru, it is a beautifully designed experience with actors who fully embrace the roles, working hard to ensure everyone feels welcome and part of the action. Highly recommended as a family day out, even is your children are now adults.
Travel:
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| Annecy |
I've been very fortunate that a combination of work and personal trips have meant 2024 has been a good year for travel. Regular readers will know what a wonderful experience I had walking the West Highland Way in the summer. I was fortunate to spend a few days in the south of France in the medieval village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup which proved to be not just a beautiful, sunny time but also a hub of creativity and great food.
A trip to Switzerland took me to the Matterhorn and lovely Lausanne, probably my favourite stop of the Swiss part of the trip. On the banks of Lake Geneva and climbing to a castle overlooking the water and surrounding mountains, it’s a city with a lot to offer. A day trip from Geneva to Annecy in France was also a highlight, despite the near constant rain. The beautiful old town is threaded through with canals leading off from Lake Annecy, adding extra charm to this already delightful spot. The water is turquoise, the history is fascinating, and cheese, wine, and crepes are plentiful.
I also made my first trip to Ireland with a long weekend in Dublin the weekend before Halloween, and my do the locals go all in for the season. A visit to the National Leprechaun Museum, a storytelling experience which was a highlight of the trip, gave us an opportunity to learn more about the season of Samhain. A trip to Bewley’s for cake was also well worth it.
A festive road trip has taken me to a few more places on my UK bucket list and as I type this snow is gently falling outside my hotel window. I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to see so many beautiful places this year, both in my local area and further afield, and can’t wait to see where 2025 will take me.
I wish you all the best for the year ahead, and hope that it is filled with all the things that bring you joy. I’d love to hear your top tips for hidden gems and reading highlights in the comments.
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