He’s been! And I hope he was kind? And that you’ve had some nice sit downs with your loved ones, with far too much food and whatever the right amount of drink is for you. And if you’re even luckier, you’ll have a few more days of marinating in the festive lull (of which I am jealous!) and so in lieu of any combination of words from me, I’ve rounded up some of the best things I’ve read this year. Not all have been published this year - there’s no rules, it’s all vibe based - you just have to trust me that clicking the little links whilst in your festive loungewear between the seventh and eighth piece (box) of chocolate whilst waiting for the latest Worlds Strongest Man episode to start will be worth your while!
The Cut released this modern day etiquette list which was 50% fantastic advice, 50% batshit. As someone whose food allergy will kill them, number 52 still TERRIFIES me.
I read Anthony Bourdain’s first piece for The New Yorker pretty much every six months or so, and I don’t think there’s a more perfect piece of writing that encapsulates the chaos of hospitality and the people behind the scenes quite so vividly. Worth a read for any fans of The Bear, Boiling Point, The menu et al, and is also great if you simply find complicated, flawed, yet brilliant men fascinating.
Another New Yorker read (go to private browsing to access but don’t tell anyone I told you that!) and another piece I read at least twice a year. The HORROR of being accurately seen for who you really are, and the ever spiralling theatrics that goes into gift giving captured perfectly here by David Sedaris.
This is one of the wildest things I’ve read all year. Scammers! Becoming the scammies! Fake royalty! Sorry but just looking at their picture you can tell one, if not both of them are grifters! (You’ll need to register your email for this but it’s well worth it. I audibly gasped so many times!)
A profile of tennis star Andy Roddick featuring a bloody lovely thread about a London cabbie.
I will gobble anything Olivia Laing writes, but her latest two pieces are very much in my wheelhouse. This very lovely piece on detective shows, and this Guardian piece, which perfectly sums up my love for Jilly Cooper, also as a card carrying leftie.
Finally, we talk fairly openly about the various procedures women go through to alter their appearance, but those specifically aimed at men tend to be less discussed. These two wince inducing articles really blow the whole thing wide open. Firstly this look into the somewhat shady world of penis enlargement surgery (trigger warning, the phrase “regloved” is used!) and secondly, this, if possible, even weirder look into the world of leg extension surgery. Ouch.
I hope at least one of these helps to pass the time for you and I’ll be back in a few days with a round up of the most delicious things I’ve cooked this year and the best books I’ve read. As always, please feel free to share with anyone you think would enjoy, and comment away on your favourite reads this year.
Thanks for being here
N xo