My Top ten books that I read this Year and Dec Roundup

This past year was a dismal year for reading. I only read 52 books. You can see what all I read here. I am changing that this year. I got sucked into the internet and I have found that mindlessly clicking on link after link does nothing to boost my happiness so I got a plan for this year. I am scheduling in EVERYTHING and that includes more time doing actual  reading. I hope to hit 200 books. I know that is a high number but I used to read that many before I became addicted to the internet. I fully own and admit it, I AM addicted to the ‘net. I am breaking that addiction and actually living life this year. Anyway on to the top ten. This is books I have read this year not published this year. Expect for the number one book they are in no order. They are all my favorite books that I have read this year.

The number one book I have read is:

The Desire Map: This book broke me open in so many ways. I felt as if reality parted and showed me a better way of living. I realized I had been going about setting goals all wrong and living a life meant for another person. I sat down went through the workbook and even got the planner and made a life that would make Hillary happy. This book was life changing…fo realz. No other book has touched me or changed my life so radically as this one. I push this book on everyone I know. Seriously you need to run out and get this book NOW!

Next in line is:

Seriously… how did I not know about this before?!? I started reading Panels and decided to check this one out and fell in love. There are SO many things to like about this comic. This has to be my most fave comic as of today.

Sex Criminals: OMG I LOVE THIS COMIC! I heard about it from Sarah and now she is my go to for comics to read.

The Empathy Exams: This one was so good I read it twice. I loved how she takes what Empathy means and turns it on its head. The Essays are raw and personal and you just need to read it for yourself

Gone Girl: I was almost afraid to read this in case it did not live up to the hype but OMG did it ever! This was a mind fuck of a book.  And that ending. It makes sense yet you are left with a feeling of are you fucking kidding me? It is a trip.
This book was a trip also. It starts out tame then builds to a climax that you won’t see coming. It will leave you feeling uneasy and when you get to the so-called ending? well don’t read this t

hen go to a big box store.

A New Earth: I read this After hearing about it in the Desire Map. It is best read under the influence so that your mind is expanded and can take in the info he talks about. This book has excellent points but it is way out there. I loved it for that.

Traveling Mercies: I was wanting to read more Christian authors and Bryan recommended Ann Lamont. I am so glad that that he did. I read this book and fell in love. When I finished this book I felt inspired and not like an asshole. I have come up with an “asshole test” that I will explain about in a future post. Basically, it is when you finish a book you feel inspired by the book and not like an asshole because you are a broken human living in a fallen world and you fail to live up to some standard.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane: I can’t not put a Neil Gaiman on my top ten list. This is the book he came out with this year and it exceeded EVERY expectation. I don’t know how he does it but every story he writes just leaves me with my jaw on the floor going OMG HOW DID HE COME UP WITH THAT?

When Things Fall Apart: I heard of her through The Desire Map and I read this book and fell in love with her. I love how she is raw and real and admits how she has problems and struggles to remain zen. She is fully human in her writing and I was left feeling inspired.

In December, I took the whole month off of really blogging. What I did manage is:

• [2 Dec] Nov 2015 Recap
• [3 Dec] The Best Writing Tools to Use if You are a Serious Writer
• [4 Dec] Book Blogger Confession: My reading has mostly been all digital this year
• [6 Dec] Sunday Salon Dec 6 2015
• [9 Dec] My Top Productive Tip
• [13 Dec] Sunday Salon Dec 12 2015
• [16 Dec] Lessons I have Learned in my First Year of Freelancing
• [16 Dec] Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet by Sara Hagerty ★★★
• [17 Dec] 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris ★★★★
• [20 Dec] Sunday Salon December 20 2015
• [23 Dec] Big Changes are a-coming!
• [31 Dec] My Top ten books that I read this Year and Dec Roundup