As the year draws to a close, I thought it might be fun to look back at some of the things that have brought me joy and that I’d like to recommend to you. This is a whole range of different things, and as I’ve not done this before, some of this stuff comes from last year too. I’d like to mention that this isn’t a list of things I’m grateful for, but things that I like and you might also like.For example, I love my flat, but I’m not going to recommend you come live here too.

Home Stuff

I love these Kelly Wearstler Alabaster Dune Coffee Cups. I first saw them at a local coffee shopWhich also has some great cheesecake. and immediately fell in love. Originally, I saw them in their slate colour, but more recently I spotted them in this alabaster version. They’re lovely to hold and somehow make my morning coffee routine even more enjoyable.

These HPS 8oz Orange Coffee CupsDesigned in collaboration with the wonderful Heidi Philip-Smith. are also super lovely. Hand-thrown by B at TY Ceramics, each cup is unique and beautiful. Another lovely addition to my ever-growing coffee cup collection.

This Go 4 Speaker by JBL has changed my shower game. I love it. Being able to listen to podcasts or music in the shower makes starting the morning that bit more enjoyable. It’s relatively affordable, the battery life is good, and it’s also a great little speaker to throw in a bag for short trips.

To wrap this section up, here’s something that isn’t from this past year, but since I’ve never written about it before: my favourite coffee.As I write this, I realise I’ll probably do a full post on my coffee setup one day. It comes from a very small roaster on Holy Island: Holy Grail by Pilgrims Coffee.

Music

I’ve listened to loads of great music this year. I’ll start with Jordan Rakei, who I had the privilege of seeing live earlier in the year. His album The Loop is fantastic, and his later live album from the Royal Albert Hall is equally brilliant. I’ve seen Jordan Rakei a few times now. The first was at Chalk in Brighton a few years back, where he had this unknown artist supporting him. I fell in love with Olivia Dean’s music at that show, with no idea at the time just how big she would become. Her latest album, The Art of Loving, is fantastic.

If you’re a fan of Olivia Dean, then take a listen to Stacey Ryan. Her album Blessing in Disguise has a similar vibe. I’ll also take this moment to call out Zinadelphia, who, despite only releasing a couple of singles this year, has a couple of great EPs in their back catalogue that are well worth checking out.

Another couple of bands I was really happy to see this year were CouchWho I saw supporting Cory Wong. and Lawrence. Both are great pop acts.Although I must admit I prefer Couch’s earlier EPs over their new album, but maybe I just need to give it a few more listens. Lawrence’s sibling-duo front line is a powerhouse of musicality, and their live show was a blast. If either of those bands work for you, then you’ll probably enjoy Stephen Day. His album Gold Mine is fantastic.And his earlier albums are worth checking out too.

This year I started listening to the podcast Switched On PopWhich in itself is worth calling out., and throughout the year it’s introduced me to a number of new artists. Standout acts for me include Trousdale. Their sophomore album Growing Pains is a fantastic blend of pop and country. The Favors, comprised of Ashe and FINNEAS, create beautiful, soulful pop music on their album The Dream while somehow making it feel strangely familiar.Definitely harking back to Buckingham Nicks. Finally, from the Switched On Pop saga, there’s Djo, perhaps better known as Steve from Stranger Things. His album The Crux has a similar aura to The Favors in that same sense of familiarity. You can hear a number of different influences in Djo’s music, but for me that just lends itself to its catchy nature.

Finally, to wrap up the music section, I have to call out a few old favourites. Parcels released a new album this year, LOVED, which, while it may not have the same production sheen as some of their earlier work, still carries their signature harmonic richness and undeniable groove. Another long-time favourite is The Fearless Flyers, whose latest album The Fearless Flyers V is, in my opinion, their best yet. A real musician’s album, digging into old-school funk while retaining a modern production edge. Finally, Maribou State’s new album, Hallucinating Love, became a soundtrack to the first part of my year. Their electronic blend of styles sits effortlessly on the ears.

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Podcasts

After that epic section, I’ll try and keep this one brief.But seeing as I listened to more podcasts than music this year, it would be odd not to mention anything here! I’ve already mentioned Switched On Pop. Next up is Three Bean Salad, which is as hilarious as it is indescribable. Then there’s The Town with Matthew Belloni, which is a must-listen for anyone interested in the goings-on in Hollywood. And finally, I’ll mention The Unmade Podcast, which has made me laugh endlessly for many, many years.

Books

It’s been a much slower year for me with books. That’s less a cause of the books I’ve read and more about habits and routine.Something I want to improve next year. That said, there are three standout books I read this year, in no particular order.

Educated is a 2018 memoir by American historian and writer Tara Westover. It’s a powerful account of growing up in an isolated, survivalist family and the slow, painful process of educating yourself into a different life. Less about formal education and more about identity, loyalty, and the cost of outgrowing the world that made you.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr tells the intertwined stories of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths cross in occupied France during the Second World War. A beautifully written wartime novel that weaves together two very different lives with extraordinary care and restraint.

Wild is a novel by American author Kristin Hannah. Blending elements of coming-of-age and wilderness survival fiction, it follows a feral child’s reintegration into society in the 1970s Pacific Northwest. Emotionally driven and character-led, it’s an absorbing, heartfelt read.

Film & TV

Two films I want to call out from this year are both animated. Neither was released this year, but this is when I happened to see them.

First up is Flow (2024), a gorgeous film that follows a cat who finds refuge on a small boat after a flood. The story tracks the cat as it encounters different creatures, each with their own personalities, in a strange and unfamiliar world. The film is deeply immersive and visually stunning.

Next is Grave of the Fireflies (1988),Big shout-out to the film club I’m in for putting this one in front of me! a devastating Studio Ghibli wartime film. Heartbreaking yet beautiful, it’s not a perfect film, but it’s one that has stayed with me long after watching.

While this felt more like a film year for me, there are a couple of TV shows I want to call out from what I watched. First up is The Diplomat. I’ll be honest, the first season is easily the strongest, but it’s still worth sticking with for the later seasons.

And finally, this section wouldn’t feel complete without a call-out to Stranger Things. At this point it probably doesn’t need much of a recommendation, but it remains one of those rare shows that blends nostalgia, character, and spectacle in a way that still feels genuinely exciting.

Ok, that’s it for this year. Hopefully you might find something new here that might also bring you joy! If you didn’t and you’re still reading, well, I’m glad you made it this far. Well done you.