This blog post was updated on October 29, 2018.
Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.
— Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)
A newly published book takes this famed quote by proud Londoner, Samuel Johnson, and puts it to the test by seeing if it’s possible to have a good time doing something different each day of the year in London.
Tired of London, Tired of Life is a 224 page book published by Virgin Books. It is the labour of love by Londoner Tom Jones (no, not that Tom Jones). Featuring illustrations by Hannah Warren and designed by Lottie Crumbleholme, the book takes a simple yet brilliant idea and runs with it.
The result of “more than five years of research, wandering the streets of London in all seasons, and cycling to its outer reaches”, Tired of London, Tired of Life covers a whole year of things to do in London “for you to take home and keep.”
From London’s most popular must-do attractions to hidden gems well off the beaten path, there are suggestions in the book for every reader, whether a life long resident or first time visitor. Tom’s ideas are budget-friendly too; many of the things to do that he lists are free.
Tom has been chronicling unique and interesting things to do in London on a one-thing-per-day basis since October 2008 through a Nlog that shares the same name as his new book. The just published paperbound version of his quest mixes brand new ideas never before seen on his blog and “old favourites re-researched and re-written” especially for the book.
Highlighting the author’s intense desire to experience London to the fullest, Tired of London, Tired of Life presents the best of Tom’s discoveries and offers excellent firsthand advice on how to squeeze a little more fun and knowledge out of any given day in this vibrant global city and capital of Britain.
Want a copy of your own or as gift to a Londoner friend or those soon boarding flights to London? Tom thinks “it would be great if you could personally request it at your local independent bookshop.” However, a quick Google should yield plenty of purchasing solutions online. To get a taste of Tom’s take on year round living in London and for more information about the book, visit the original Tired of London, Tired of Life Blog: http://www.tiredoflondontiredoflife.com.
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