#28: Petty Grievances and NY resolutions
Plus some great books and HAM
Here is a list of petty things which in no way impact my life but are for mildly annoying.
‘I’m happy to share’ on LinkedIn
Doughnuts that have more toppings than doughnut
When books in a series have different spines
When people say things like ‘we’ll get that booked in for yourself’
Starting a new book when I want to be already IN the book
When people have really strong opinions speculating about celebrities
When you don’t get a garnish in your G&T
When men say ‘ladies first’*
People who hog the middle lane at 60MPH
That I’m turning into my dad (sorry Dad)
People trying to convince me to watch Traitors/MAFS
Being in lifts (it sucks every ounce of conversation out of anyone)
New Year’s Resolutions
I have now firmed up my promises to myself for the year. I will not tackle them all at once because that is a sure fire recipe for three days of success followed by three months of overwhelm.
Read the news*
AND buy a paper every Sunday and not just read the magazine
Be more consistent
Be more purposeful with my life
No scrolling (I have just deleted Instagram for the 149th time)
Stop saying ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’
Use gym membership I pay £36 for every month
Either write the novel or stop talking about it
*Instagram does not count
Books
Preloved - Lauren Bravo
I read this over Christmas after months of saving it for a cosy time. This was perfect! It’s a really easy read but it’s not fluffy - centring around Gwen, who’s floating through life aimlessly and is suddenly made redundant. She decides to make her life more meaningful, starting by volunteering at a local charity shop. It’s about friendship, finding meaning in life and grief - a really lovely book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudsley - Sean Lusk
This is about the son of a clockwork automata maker - who can see into people’s hearts and minds. It is kind of a historical-magical novel and it has loads of great twists and turns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh, Sister - Jodie Chapman
This will be one of my favourite books of the year - and that’s a bold claim since it’s only January. It follows three women who have complicated relationships with an extremely strict denomination of Christianity. Their lives have been dominated by religion and the men that are leading it. A complete emotional gut punch. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
None of This is True - Lisa Jewell
This is a re-read (audio this time) of my favourite Lisa Jewell novel to date (they just keep getting better and better!). A popular podcaster meets by chance, her birthday twin, and is convinced to record a podcast on her. But things get weird really quickly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darling - India Knight
A retelling of The Pursuit of Love which I’ve never read (every time I mention it mum brings up the ‘book uncle Michael let me about the Mitfords - you must read it, it’s SUCH good social history’). Its frame is romantic love, but it’s really about family love - a big, posh family of sisters with a grumpy dad and a saint of a mother (plus a cast of loveable characters). 10/10, no notes except the last page which I’m pretending never happened. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Girl on the 88 Bus - Freya Sampson
This is a charming, easy read about Frank, a pensioner who has spent his life looking for a girl he once met on a bus. He meets Freya, whose life is in current disarray, who vows to help him find his girl. It actually deals with some quite heavy topics like dementia despite its light guise. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favourite Daughter - Morgan Dick
This ticks all my boxes - dysfunctional sister dynamic, flawed female leads. Micky and Arlo have never met, but they are half sisters whose father has just died. It’s funny but really dark and a lot of big mental health stuff happens. I hoovered it up in two sittings. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TV
Severance (Apple TV+)
I am so obsessed with finding out what happens in this workplace drama I can’t bear it. We are now on season two of this sci-fi suspense thriller and they are so good at the suspense! If you don’t know what it is, essentially the workers in this company get their work mind separated so they essentially have two selves. It’s SO GOOD.
Food
Nikki’s birthday party - I am still thinking about that buffet. Best buffet I’ve had in a long time.
This was my very modest first plate - I went back for seconds and then stayed close to the table. That carpaccio was *chef’s kiss*. And that smoked salmon and mousse was hand smoked, you know.
Christmas Dinner
Jon made the most amazing Christmas dinner which we ate so much of we had to lie down immediately afterwards. Stunning. Ginger Pig Turkey was immense.
The Devonshire
We managed to get a much-coveted table at The Devonshire. It was so busy I did feel a bit like we were on a human conveyor belt, but the food was very, very good. I had scallops with malt vinegar and dressed lobster which were excellent but the real star was the Christmas Pudding Bread and Butter Pudding with I want to say brandy custard? One of the best puddings I’ve ever had.
Chocolate orange panettone bread and butter pudding
Jon surpassed himself with my favourite festive dessert - chocolate orange bread and butter pudding - the panettone base I paid £1.50 for from M&S on 3rd January.
Christmas Ham
Jon did a Christmas ham and I think this actually my favourite Christmas food based on how joyful it makes me. Coke glaze, fresh coleslaw made with sweetheart cabbage and one sourdough sandwich for lunch followed by a baked potato with exactly the same for dinner. Gorgeous.
