I’ve lost count how many times I have attempted to run every day of January.
In the beginning the idea was to run and then blog about it. Over the years it has gone through various changes and adaptations, but essentially you do some sort of exercise, and then blog, facebook, Twitter/X, Threads, or Instagram it.
I think I’ve been doing it for the last ten years. I’ve had a mixture of successes and failures, sometimes it’s been running every day, sometimes just daily exercise.
Last year was a complete success, 31 runs in 31 days.
So this year we go again. The aim is 31 runs in 31 days, with the added challenge of beating last year’s distance of 123 miles.
Following on from 2023 where we attended at least one gig a month, we decided on a monthly trip to the cinema to watch a movie. Here are all the ups and downs, including a rather ridiculous rating out of ten.
January
The Holdovers
For the first film of the year we headed to Cinema City in Norwich for The Holdovers. A teacher in an American boarding school is tasked with looking after five students left on campus during the Christmas break.
6.5/10 – a feel good Christmas movie
February
American Fiction
Another visit to Cinema City for American Fiction. An African-American novelist writes an outrageously satirical ‘black’ novel only for it to be mistaken as serious literature and become a success.
6/10 – reasonably good film, great ending
March
Wicked Little Letters
Another visit to Cinema City for what ended up being the joint best film of the year. Based on a real-life 1920s event, the investigation into hilariously rude insulting letters written to residents of a small town.
8/10 – great acting and very funny
April
Back to Black
Biographical drama based on Amy Winehouse, again Cinema City. Was expecting lots from this, didn’t get it. Film was ok, but not really much of a narrative. Considering all the hype surrounding her – it didn’t approach the stuff you wanted.
5/10 – underwhelming
May
The Fall Guy
This was one of those slow movie months. Nothing else on, so The Fall Guy it was. Wasn’t expecting much, got even less.
3/10 – worst movie of the year
June
Full Metal Jacket
The only film that wasn’t an actual new release. A classic. Cinema City. This film has stood the test of time.
N/A – it’s impossible to rate a classic against new releases
July
Twisters
The first visit to the Odeon in Norwich. Apparently this isn’t a remake of the original 1996 Twister, although it could well have been. This was a pretty stereotypical twister movie, if they exist, chase a twister, nearly die, run away from a twister, and repeat.
5.5/10 – watchable, but pretty poor
August
Alien: Romulus
Second visit to the Odeon. An Alien movie. Not as good as the other Alien movies. Doesn’t give you anything that the Alien movies haven’t already given you.
4/10 – doesn’t live up to the hype
September
Lee
A visit to Cinema City to watch this fantastic film. The joint best film of the year. The story of Lee Miller, photographer by and war correspondent during WWII. Very interesting story and Kate Winslet at her best.
8/10 – brilliant
October
The Outrun
Last visit to Cinema City of the year. Set in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, it follows Rona a former alcoholic who returns to her home to find herself. Loved this.
7.5/10 – powerful
November
Conclave
A visit to the Odeon in Norwich. A thriller based on a novel that explores the most secretive and ancient events – the selection of a new Pope. Slow in places, but overall an interesting watch.
7/10 – interesting and watchable
December
Gladiator II
For the final film of the year we visited the Odeon. It was also a month that was full of Christmas movies, Wicked and Paddington, so it was a struggle to find a film we fancied. Reluctantly we settled on Gladiator II. It was indeed a Gladiator movie, lots of fighting and lots of blood. As expected.
5/10 – it was a Gladiator movie
All in all, the challenge to visit the cinema once a month was a total success. 12 visits. Saw some good films, some poor films, and a load in between.
Last year I read 30 books, so was hoping to go at least one better.
I failed.
I ended up reading 29 books – I think I may have read a few more teenage fiction last year and also had to drag myself through a couple of long books this year – but I’m happy.
The stats…
Another good year with a good selection of different books.
My favourites, according to my arbitrary 5 star rating, all got 4 stars:
‘You Are Here’ by David Nichols – favourite of the year – probably deserved more than 5 stars!
‘When Our World’s Collided’ by Danielle Jawando – teenage fiction last year- three teenagers all witness a stabbing
‘Everyone Here is Lying’ by Shari Lapena – really liked this – crime thriller
‘The Accomplice’ by Steve Cavanagh – read a couple of his this year
‘The Book with No Name’ by Anonymous – not my usual read but absolutely loved it
‘My Sister, the Serial Killer’ by Oyinkan Braithwaite – great read
‘The Beresford’ by Will Carver – had to be a Will Carver – I love him!
‘Ducking Long Way’ by Mark Akinson – best running book of the year!
So another successful reading year, definitely targeting 31 books in 2025.
I did not buy this. In fact, it was one of a bundle of three books by Seb Kirby that I won at the village quiz raffle.
On the blurb it says:
A fast-paced and highly original crime thriller set in the art world, perfect for fans of Dan Brown and Harlan Coben.
It is not original, sorry Seb, sister in trouble finds out she has an identical twin and they swap identities to escape the mafia. That’s not original.
I gave this book two out of five stars, it probably deserved less, but I’m reluctant to give people who actually make the effort to write a book less than two stars.
It was poorly written, unoriginal and I did very well to complete it. Maybe that should go on the blurb!
This, together with the unread two, will be going to a charity shop.
Two teenagers meet in an amateur dramatic company that is about to put on Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – you can probably see where this going – it’s better than you’d imagine.
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