2018 Review: LJ Ross

Merry Christmas!

I have a very special Christmas gift for you today: the fabulous LJ Ross is here to review her 2018 just for us! One of my greatest pleasures this year has been spending more time with Louise and finding a true friend in her. She really is one in a million. 

I hope you all have a wonderful day. My thanks to Louise for sharing her year with us.

Vic x

Do you have a favourite memory professionally from 2018?
I’ve been incredibly lucky this year: all of the books I’ve published in 2018 have been U.K. #1 best-sellers and I recently surpassed the three million sales mark. However, in November, the first ever ‘dramatic’ production of a DCI Ryan was produced by Audible Originals Studios. I wrote the prequel story to the DCI Ryan series, The Infirmary, and it was scripted into an audio-drama featuring an all-star cast including Tom Bateman (Ryan), Kevin Whately (Phillips), Alun Armstrong (Gregson), Hermione Norris (the Narrator), Bertie Carvel (Killer Narrator) and so many more. It was so fantastic to hear the story brought to life in such an exciting way, especially since I’ve admired so many of those actors from afar!

And how about a favourite moment from 2018 generally?
There have been so many lovely moments, but I think it has to be seeing my son (Ethan, who’s now five) really discover the joy of reading completely independently. He’s enjoying C.S. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew at the moment and it’s a joy to listen to him read, or to watch him with his nose between the pages. 

Favourite book in 2018?
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, or The Afterlife of Walter Augustus by H.M. Lynn. They’re both great, uplifting reads.

Favourite film in 2018?
I’m afraid I don’t watch a lot of television these days but, over the past few weeks, I’ve had a bit more time to enjoy some old movies – I rediscovered To Catch a Thief and The 39 Steps, both directed by Hitchcock, and it felt very nostalgic. 

Favourite song of the year?
Probably 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins. I think my musical taste stalled somewhere back in the early noughties…

Any downsides for you in 2018?
Unless you count the inevitability of growing another year older…not really!

Are you making resolutions for 2019?
My resolutions tend to be the same at the start of every new day, irrespective of the time of year. They are to try to be kind and tolerant of others (especially in rush hour traffic); to work hard and strive to become better at what I do; to be the best mother, daughter, sister, wife and friend I can and never to take more than I give back to the world. It isn’t always possible to do all or any of these things, but I do try. 

What are you hoping for from 2019?
Continued health and happiness for all my friends and family  – in fact, for as many people as possible. There’s a lot of suffering and negativity around the world stage at the moment and I hope 2019 brings with it a more calm, measured and kind approach in politics, communities and nations.

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