Ten years ago, I started writing a blog. I didn’t even know what I wanted the blog to be about: it just seemed to be the kind of thing one did. The earliest posts, if anyone has ever excavated that far back, are a confused mixture of posts on films, ‘lifestyle’, travel, and, of course, books. While the former categories still crop up now and again, I think we can all agree that this is now a book blog with occasional bursts of opera, art and theatre. But I’ve always tried to stop it being exclusively one way or the other. I want there to be space here for all sorts of wonderful things. Writing the blog has been a complete joy, and continues to be so. And much of that is to do with you lovely people out there. Some of you, amazingly, have been reading and commenting for almost as long as the blog has existed. Others are relative newcomers, but make a point of popping in occasionally to share your thoughts. It always makes my day.
Over the past ten years I’ve written over 1,000 posts: I’ve discussed over 800 books, almost 100 operas and more than 80 exhibitions, a few of which were my own. I’ve written about my travels to Qatar, Macau, Tokyo, Sicily, Suzhou, Philadelphia and the Carnival in Venice. And I’ve posted on more than 60 films. I’ve also introduced sub-pages which go into more detail about particular topics, whether that’s countertenor albums, my uncle’s ‘rock school’ programme, or the graphic novel that I produced based on the opera Artaserse in 2015. Looking back, I don’t think I’ve really lived up to the name of ‘The Idle Woman’, but, as many of you know by now, that’s another story.
Will I manage to keep it up for another ten years? Goodness knows. I try to post on a regular basis, but it can be hard to keep that up alongside a full-time job and a relationship (not to mention trying to find the time to read!). Life is going to change a bit over the next couple of years, as we get married, put down roots and perhaps even start a family, so it’s hard to make predictions. But The Idle Woman has grown, adapted and flourished along with me this far, so I hope it will continue to do so. And I very much hope that its little community will also continue, and that all of you will keep on sharing recommendations, opinions and comments. Thank you all for making this such a rewarding hobby.
With love
x
The Idle Woman 
Happy 10th birthday! What a milestone – congratulations to you. I look forward to many more years of the Idle Woman – but only if you have time! with love, RT
Happy Birthday!!
Happy anniversary!! What an achievement, 10 years is such a long time!
Happy anniversary! And thanks so much for all the reviews. A number of the books I’ve enjoyed most over the last few years have been recommendations from you.
Happy decade anniversary! xxx
Congratulations on your 10 years! What an achievement
Wow, looks like I am on time for congratulations – that might actually be a first. 😉 I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now, and in all those years it has never ceased to be a source of both entertainment and enlightenment, in a variety of ways and on a variety of subjects, with the one constant that it always has been an absolute delight to read. My heartfelt congratulations to ten years of what I personally continue to consider the best blog on the interwebs, and definitely the one I that I treasure the most (and yes, that does include my own). I hope your blog will carry on to be a joy to us all while your life flourishes in all ways possible. Cheers! 🙂
Congratulations! I’m so glad that you’re keeping it going.
Happy anniversary! Ten years of blogging is a great achievement!
Happy anniversary! Even if your priorities in life change, whenever you’ll find the time to write, I will continue to find the time to read (and occasionally comment). And in the meantime, your impressive back catalogue of posts does continue to provide interesting thoughts and recommendations to keep me occupied (and my TBR pile toppling over) 🙂
What an amazing milestone. I love reading your reviews and have picked up so many wonderful recommendations. Thank you!
Congratulations on your tenth! you have introduced me to so many wonderful books. Long may you flourish, even if your blogging goes by the wayside from time to time. Thank you!
I very recently found your blog whilst looking up for info about Roberto Cavalli’s Elena, I am so chuffed about discovering a fellow lover of Artaserse, yay! I would love it if you did another post about Valer Sabadus, my newest crush 🙃
Did I really write Roberto Cavalli? 🤦🏻♀️ How embarrasing omg 🤣
Hi, I’m a little off topic but wonder if you can help. I’ve recently restored a Victorian school, which later became a Mission Church in Paxford, Glos and am trying to more about the lady who paid for it’s construction, a Mrs Gilbert Elliot.
There is a stained glass window dedicated to her daughter, Mary Elliot who died in ‘Mentone’ in 1870 aged 19. I came across your blog and noted your Mrs Gilbert Elliot’s connection to Italy and wondered if this could be the same person?
Thanks and regards,
Hi Geoff – no worries about being off-topic! I do like historical puzzles 😉 Your Mrs Gilbert Elliot looks tantalisingly close to mine, but the ages of the daughters don’t match. Frances (‘my’ Mrs Elliot) had a daughter called Mary Lucy who died in Rome in 1855 aged twelve. Your Mentone must be the town of Menton on the French Riviera, which was Italian until 1860 and which retained its Italian name for a short while afterwards; and of course the ages of the girls don’t match. I’ll do a little digging in the family tree I drew up for the Elliot family and see if I can find anyone who matches. Of course, Elliot is a fairly common name, but the combination of ‘Gilbert’ and ‘Elliot’ suggests that it could well be part of the same family. I’ll be in touch if I find anything!