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"The thing with kids is, if they want to grab for the gold ring, you have to let them do it, and not say anything. If they fall off, they fall off, but it is bad to say anything to them.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher In The Rye

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The Book Carousel's 2015 Year in Review

December 31, 2015 Heather Ratliff

The last few days of December are reserved for reflection of the year, and anticipation of the one on its way.  I wanted to put together a list of the top ten most popular posts of 2015, but I also wanted to share some of my favorites.  I know I didn't start this blog at the very beginning of the year, but even in the 7 months it's been active, I have learned so much.  

My Favorite Project

How to Make a Perfect Cup of Tea

I loved making the video for this project.  About 99.9% of the time I use my camera for photography, so it was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  I had to plan the shots in advance, make sure the camera was in focus, and then edit everything in iMovie.  I was extremely happy with the results and am planning to do more in 2016.

 

My Favorite Book

S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst

This is probably the most difficult choice for me because I read so many great books this year (52 to be exact!).  My top three books from 2015 are The Martian by Andy Weir, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst.  

It was an incredibly close tie, but ultimately I would have to say my favorite book of 2015 was S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst.  My reasoning is that reading S. was a complete experience.  There are secret codes, messages, and unwritten occurrences that keep you thinking about the characters in the different layers of the book that really stand out for me.  I want to keep a handful of unopened S.'s on my bookshelf just to give away to people when I gush about how awesome this book was. 

 

My Most Popular Post on Tumblr

Paperweight by Meg Haston Photoset

My Tumblr doesn't process my photos the right way all the time, so I like to post separate photosets.  My best Tumblr post of 2015 was a photoset of a couple of shots I took during my Paperweight by Meg Haston book photo shoot.   As of today it has 1,005 likes and reblogs.  In case you're not following on Tumblr, here's a link: http://thebookcarousel.tumblr.com/.

 

My 9 Most Popular Posts on Instagram

I love taking pictures. What I love about Instagram is I can post highlights from my book photo shoots, but I can also post quick informal shots that inspire me every day (mostly of my cat. Sorry not sorry).  In case you're not following yet, my instagram is https://www.instagram.com/thebookcarousel/.

 

My Favorite Post of the Year

BOOK CLUB: The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks and Our Visit to HiCaliber Horse Rescue

I wasn't so much in love with the book (Sorry Nick), but I loved going to HiCaliber Horse Rescue.  I would have to say that it was most influential to my world as any of my other posts.  Over 6 months later and they're still kicking butt at rescuing horses, and getting better every day.  Check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HiCaliberHorseRescue.

 

Top Ten Most Popular Posts of 2015

Featured
How to Make a Perfect Cup of Tea
How to Make a Perfect Cup of Tea

Making the perfect cup of hot tea and how to use Teavana's Perfectea Tea Maker.

BOOK CLUB: Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
BOOK CLUB: Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

November's Book of the Month was Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs.  This is the series that sparked the TV show Bones with Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz.  Read on for the review.

Nook Glowlight Plus: A Book Lover's Review
Nook Glowlight Plus: A Book Lover's Review

Read on for my thoughts on the new Nook Glowlight Plus.

E-Books vs Print: The Pros and Cons of Digital Literature
E-Books vs Print: The Pros and Cons of Digital Literature

Not sure if you want an e-reader? Read on...

BOOK CLUB: Paperweight by Meg Haston
BOOK CLUB: Paperweight by Meg Haston

Review for August's Book of the Month, Paperweight by Meg Haston. 

Science Fiction for Kids: An interview with quirky author Julia M. Wendt
Science Fiction for Kids: An interview with quirky author Julia M. Wendt

Children's Author Julia M. Wendt gives insight into her inspirations, publishing her first book, and what makes her tick.

Top 10 Books to Read for Back to School: High School Edition
Top 10 Books to Read for Back to School: High School Edition

The 10 books you need to read from high school.

BOOK CLUB: The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks and Our Visit to HiCaliber Horse Rescue
BOOK CLUB: The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks and Our Visit to HiCaliber Horse Rescue

Discussing The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks and pictures from HiCaliber Horse Rescue

Top 10 Mothers in Literature: Celebrating the wonderful women we call Mom
Top 10 Mothers in Literature: Celebrating the wonderful women we call Mom

10 of the best Moms in Literature

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - Why we almost didn't get to read it.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - Why we almost didn't get to read it.

Thanks so much for spending 2015 with me.  I can't wait to see what 2016 (when will I get used to writing that?) has in store!

 

Disclosure: I do receive compensation for the links provided, but it does not influence my reviews, or the books I choose to read.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Literature Tags 2015, Year in Review, Teavana, S., J.J. Abrams, Doug Dorst, Instagram, Meg Haston, Paperweight, 2015BestNine, HiCaliber, Nicholas Sparks, The Longest Ride, Tea, Hot Tea, Deja Dead, Kathy Reichs, Book Club, Nook, Nook Glowlight Plus, Julia M. Wendt, Children's Books, Hairy Momma, The Shark Handed Girl, Top 10, Mother's Day, go set a watchman, harper lee
← Goodreads 2015 Challenge! Success! 52 Books Completed!BOOK CLUB: Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances →

Thank you!


Journals from BookPal
Filling my legacy bookshelf with the good stuff (which includes the cat of course!) #thebookcarousel #bookcase #harrypotter #jkrowling #harrypotterandthecursedchild #harrypotterandthechamberofsecretsillustratededition #harrypotterandthesorcerersstone
The irony of this sign cracks me up. #library!
Meet "Joe"! This 7 year old warmblood type gelding was named in honor of one of our weekly haulers who faithfully show up each Tuesday to help us get everyone back to the ranch safe and sound. 
Now Joe's instake vet exam wasn't at all promi
We are at auction. It's only 10:30 and there are already 17 scared, sad, wondering faces looking to us. There are also some very painful horses here today.including a mini. 😞

Our hope is to keep them safe, out of Mexico and get them the care they n
Another Tuesday. Another 20 horses dumped at auction with their fate yet unknown.

Please consider sharing this post. Even if you can't donate, just spreading the word will offer a chance of survival to any one of these horses.  They're scared, away
Hey all.  We don't mean to be the little rescue that cries wolf but we are dead in the water today.  We've only gotten about $400 in for today's auction.  Yikes.

Fortunately it's not a super crazy day but there are still about 10 lives depending on
What are you reading (with a chainsaw)? #bookfun #TheBookCarousel #watershipdownwithachainsaw
Signs of a book well read. #Morningstar #piercebrown #howlers #redrising  #imhavingamoment @piercebrownofficial
Finally OMG! #Morningstar #piercebrown #redrising #howlers #scifi #illseeyouwhenimdone
Get ready to fall in love. #TheBookCarousel Valentine's Day post is up! #valentinesday #topten #tfios #johngreen #quotes #fallinlove #love

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