The Invisible Mentor Top Blog Posts of 2014
I cannot believe that 2015 is two weeks away, where did the time go? Several years ago, I read that blogs like mine take a while to gain traction because they do not cover news, and now I am starting to see that there is some truth to that. Last year, and even this year, the most popular posts are years old, and in fact, several of them that were on the list last year are on this year’s list as well. I suspect that they are popular because they are book reviews of classic literature. It’s interesting that although the posts are popular, they did not get a lot of social shares, which reminds me that I have to have a clear and specific call to action for every post. This is something that I started doing a month ago. Additionally, from the analytics, a lot of the people reading those posts are students who are probably searching for the “cliff notes” versions of the books, and that's not what this blog is about.
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The Invisible Mentor Top 10 Blog Posts of 2013
Top Blog Posts of 2014
Book Review – The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde: The Canterville Ghost, a short story by Oscar Wilde, is a story about role reversal. The story is told through the eyes of the very theatrical ghost, Sir Simon, who appears in many different costumes and personas. Sir Simon suffers great indignities at the hand of the American family, living in the house, who are not afraid of him.
The Invisible Mentor Interviews Ron LeBlanc: I met Ron LeBlanc in Starbucks, and I chatted with him for a bit and was fascinated by his story so I asked if I could interview him. At the time, Ron had a sapphire mine and land bank in Madagascar. One of the events that helped to shape his life was leaving the small town in Ontario where he grew up. Ron is always spreading his wings. Today he has a show on the Travel Channel, “Gem Hunt” and his experiences have prepared him for this role. Part II of the Ron LeBlanc interview.
Book Review – Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: This is the biography of Frederick Douglass, a self-freed slave. The book was not an easy one to read, and it will not be an easy book for anyone who believes in the rights and freedoms of all. After you have finished reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass you will get the feeling that his story is incomplete and that there are many gaps, and there are. Douglass deliberately left out a lot of information to protect the identity of other slaves.
Book Review: The Railway Children by E Nesbit: Though The Railway Children
by E. Nesbit is a children’s book, it’s a perfect demonstration of why a safety net is so important. In the story, you have a father who is taken away, and we learn he is arrested for being a spy, which is a false accusation. The loss of income of the primary breadwinner forces the family into poverty. The Railway Children, a story of hope, teaches us that life is bigger than us and that the good we do comes back to us.
Einstein Distraction Index: A Method of Deep Focus: A lot of people are always searching for the Einstein Distraction Index, which Einstein supposedly as a teenager. It is a method of deep concentration, but I do not think that Einstein really developed this index because I have not been able to verify the information. Read the post to learn more because anything Einstein makes for a good story.
The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde: This is a short story that I like very much because it is about the power of generosity and reminds us to be charitable to those who are less fortunate.
Stuart Little by E B White, a Book Review: This is a book that I read a couple of year ago, and although, Stuart Little by E B White is a children's book, you'll learn to follow your instincts, be adventurous and resilient. If the name EB White sounds familiar to you, he also wrote Charlotte’s Webb and co-authored The Elements of Style.
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, a Book Review: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp is a timeless classic that is worth the read. It teaches us not to give up on our dreams. Interestingly enough, there is a misconception that Aladdin had only three wishes, but in reality, he had as many wishes as he desired while in possession of the lamp. Read the post to learn more.
How to Analyze Information: The ability to analyze information is a prized skill. The post, How to Analyze Information offers simple steps to evaluate information and their sources. The post complements How to Evaluate Website Content. There are five ways to evaluate website content – look at relevance, authority, currency, objectivity and coverage of the content.
Book Review – Peter Pan by JM Barrie: Peter Pan by JM Barrie is a whimsical, magical story that helps you to start thinking about what could be – the possibilities that life has to offer. Peter Pan and similar stories matter today, more than ever, because we do not take enough time to dream, and step into the world of make believe because we are too busy. Peter Pan allows us to think that we can make the impossible possible. As we enter a period of unprecedented technological change, we need to take time to step into the world of make believe just because.
Review: Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy by Isadore Sharp: I am not sure why this post was popular in 2014, but the book is one that I enjoyed when I first read it. It is the autobiography of Isadore Sharp, which chronicles his rise from builder to 5 star hotel management magnate.
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, a Review: I like science fiction writer Jules Verne, and I have read several of his books. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, set in the 1870s is a page turner. You learn remarkable lessons such as the importance of being flexible. The story is so real, and I like the chart that’s included to show how long each leg of the journey would take.
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Author Bio: Avil Beckford, an expert interviewer, entrepreneur and published author is passionate about books and professional development, and that's why she founded The Invisible Mentor and the Virtual Literary World Tour to give you your ideal mentors virtually in the palm of your hands by offering book reviews and book summaries, biographies of wise people and interviews of successful people. Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
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