In 2021 knowitall.ch published an article about Clare O’Dea’s book, Voting Day, at this link. We just found out that she has just published a new novel, Before the Leaves Fall, set in Switzerland.
What is this novel about?
Before the Leaves Fall is the story of Margrit and Ruedi who meet again by chance after many years. Their paths cross for the most important of reasons: Margrit is planning to die with an assisted suicide organisation and Ruedi is the facilitator sent to help her through the process. When they realise their past connection, an unexpected bond forms, one that will illuminate both their lives.
What was the inspiration behind this novel?
You can’t help hearing about assisted dying when you live in Switzerland, which now accounts for two to three per cent of all deaths. It is quite easily accessible and has become almost an ordinary thing to do, just another aspect of Swiss self-determination. But it is extraordinary to have that power to remove the mystery of how and when we will die. And it is a different experience for loved ones compared to a natural death.
Have you been working on this idea forever, or was it something that came to you recently?
Ever I since I first reported on the subject as a journalist, I was interested in the reasons why some people chose this path while others, who might objectively be suffering more, did not want to miss a minute of their lives. Behind each decision is a unique life story and that’s what I wanted to explore with the character Margrit.
Through networking for Know-it-all passport® during these last decades, you come across a lot of people that leave an impression. Two of those people are Simon Hardy and Marc Checkley! When we found out they had collaborated on a Swiss wine guide — Switzerland: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide — we had to check it out. Here is a background and more about the new book, released recently and with hard copies now on sale in Switzerland.
What is your background?
Simon: I’m a British/Swiss dual national now based in London where I organise the annual Swiss Wine Week London for Swiss Wine Promotion. I also founded the consultancy, Fitting Wines, and repesent Switzerland at The Old Vine Conference. When Marc arrived in Switzerland he was introduced to me through a common friend. We ended up organising some tasting events pairing wines and cheeses and also whiskies and cheeses. Over the years we would bounce ideas off one another and generally give each other encouragement in our respective wine and food ventures. We had many ideas in play but did not necessary see a book as part of our collaborations.
Marc: I am from New Zealand originally and moved to Lausanne from Singapore with my husband in late 2016. I had been working as a broadcast journalist and television development producer/host for most of my career but wanted to explore new opportunities and projects when we arrived here. One of them being wine and its many stories! It brings together culture, history, geography, religion and of course conviviality. As an innate Storyteller, the world of wine is a gold mine. And meeting Simon opened new doors and also gave me ideas and networks to develop. It has been a fruitful and supportive friendship.
Dilly Socks specially made for the Swiss Post Office
When you realize that Swiss stamps are some of the most beautiful designs in the world, you understand the excitement upon discovering the newest merchandise that the Swiss Post Office has released: 2024 Swiss stamp socks!
These socks come in three sizes: 4-6 years, size 36-40 (women), and 41-46 (men). There is a selection for adults with a yellow or black background.
The stamps are surprising well designed on the socks and are actual size as you can see from the above photo.
If you are looking for something Swiss, something unique, something unusal, then go ahead and order yours today. The price has dropped from CHF 15.90 to CHF 12.70 for adults; CHF 9.90 to CHF 8.90 for children. These stamp socks can only be ordered via the post office but cannot be found on the Dilly Socks site.
We regularly enjoy seeing what beautiful new stamps have been released from the Swiss Post Office. Switzerland has a long history with beautiful artwork for letter-sending and bank notes; we particularily are happy to see that the above stamps also allow donations through the Red Cross to the village of Blatten.
Solidarité pour Blatten
On 28 May 2025, Switzerland experienced an unprecedented natural disaster. The village of Blatten and the hamlet of Ried in the Lötschental were almost completely destroyed by an avalanche of debris and ice. Most of the 300 or so inhabitants lost a piece of their home. By purchasing a “Blatten - Lötschental” stamp, you are directly supporting people in need. Your donation helps to alleviate acute emergencies in the village of Blatten. The Swiss Red Cross manages the donations and ensures that your help arrives exactly where it is needed. Miniature sheet with 8 stamps worth CHF 1.20 (the sale price of CHF 5.00 per stamp is donated in full to the Swiss Red Cross).
In May 2025, the Eurovision Song Contest takes to the stage in Basel, returning to its country of birth – the first Eurovision was held on 24 May 1956 in Lugano. The very first winner was Lys Assia, a world-famous singer and actress from the canton of Aargau, who won the first contest for Switzerland with her song “Refrain”. In 1988 in Dublin, another world star claimed victory for Switzerland: with her song “Ne partez pas sans moi”, Céline Dion brought the event back to Switzerland, and one year later, Lausanne welcomed participants from 22 countries. The latest comeback was staged by Nemo, winning the 2024 Eurovision in Malmö, ensuring one of the biggest music competitions in the world, attracting around 200 million viewers every year, will be held for the third time in Switzerland in 2025.
Paul Vanderbroeck with newly published "Lead like Julius Caesar"
Another local author contacted us with their newly published book. We caught up with Paul Vanderbroeck, an executive coach, and asked a few questions.
What has been the inspiration behind "Lead like Julius Caesar"?
Throughout my career in leadership development I have used historical examples in my work, whether that is through books or articles, as case studies in workshops or in individual coaching sessions. There are many successful leaders in history. What makes Caesar stand out is the accumulation of achievements. Whether you look at military leadership, pollitical leadership, change management, organisational leadership, talent management, communication and even as a writer, Caesar alsways ends up in the top five of all leaders, while never being perfect. It was worth digging into.
International mobility has been around for a long time. Caesar spent more than half of his career abroad as an expatriate, which I also talk about in the book. Some of these assignments were short: 1-2 years; one (in Gaul) was long: 9 years. They were always split assignments, i.e. where his family stayed in Rome. Caesar’s stints abroad were both challenging and beneficial for his career and his peronal life.
Have you been working on this idea forever?
As an Ancient Historian, with a PhD in Roman Leadership, Julius Caesar has been on my mind often. It is more recently that I have discovered how complex and multidimensional he is as a person and a leader. After my book on women leaders in historty, it was time to look at another case study.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Providing just enough historical context for people to understand the story without writing a book of history.
What are your plans for the future?
The new thing about this book, is the application of modern leadershp developoment models to Julius Caesar’s leadership, career and personality. That proved to be quite insightful. My next project is to go back to the four women leaders I wrote a book about and do the same with them.
Later this year there will be a German version coming out for those who prefer to read in that language.
