The Invisible Mentor Top 13 Posts of 2015
The year is almost over, so I decided to look at my Google Analytics to see which posts have done well this year. My year was upside down, so I didn’t conduct a lot of interviews, write many mini biographies or book reviews. These are things that I have to start doing again in the New Year because they get pinned a lot. The blog posts that have done really well this year, are mostly book reviews and summaries that I wrote years ago, and based on the time that people spend reading them, I think that they are students. This makes sense, since from time-to-time students leave messages for me using the SpeakPipe plugin. I clearly state on the Start Here page that the site is not for students who are looking for analyses of characters and plots of classic literature.
Top 13 Posts of 2015
Book Review – The Canterville Ghost: The Canterville Ghost is a delightful short story by Oscar Wilde about role reversal, told through the eyes of the very theatrical ghost, Sir Simon. In the post, I include links to YouTube videos of the story, so I am not sure if that’s the reason why the post is so popular.
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.
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 (Journey to the Centre of the Earth
is another book that I enjoyed). 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. This is one book that you won't be able to put down, and this is an easy way to ease back into reading the classics again.
Book Review: The Railway Children by E Nesbit: I really loved this book, and it is still relevant today. There are so many underemployed people who are a pay cheque away from being homeless. 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 come back to us. This is a book that's worth your investment of time to read it.
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. I have a difficult time reading books about slavery and other human rights violations. 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.
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. It amazes me that so many people still read this interview, even though I conducted it a few years ago.
Einstein Distraction Index: A Method of Deep Focus: A lot of people are always searching for the Einstein Distraction Index, which Einstein supposedly developed 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. About eight years ago, I talked to an Einstein Scholar and she indicated that some of the things that are attributed to him are false. Read the post to learn more because anything Einstein makes for a good story.
Oscar Wilde Personal Library – The Shaping of a Mind: In the post are some of the books that shaped the mind of Oscar Wilde, a prolific writer. If you are a writer, you should take a look of the books that Oscar Wilde had in his personal library because some of them may inspire you.
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
The Arabian Nights
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 today 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. And if you ever get the opportunity to do so, please read The Arabian Nights
because it has the original Aladdin story in it.
How to Analyze Information: The ability to analyze information is a prized skill, especially today when there is so much information at our fingertips. 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.
The Man Who Did Not Believe in Luck by Jerome K Jerome: Do you believe in luck? This is a fascinating story about a man who thinks he is unlucky. Do you attract what you think about? Comment on my Facebook page The Invisible Mentor!
Wisdom Wednesdays: Margaret Knight, Inventor: Although Margaret Knight is not well-known, she invented the paper bag. What I like most about her, is her strength and belief in herself. “Even though at the time, it was a common belief that women didn’t know much about machines and how they worked, Knight did not lie down and allow Annan to get away with stealing her invention. Instead, she fought back with a patent interference lawsuit. During the lawsuit, Annan and his lawyer claimed that women didn’t have adequate knowledge about machines to be able to create such a sophisticated machine. Fortunately for Knight, she had documentation, and those who were involved with her at various stages in the process testified on her behalf. And in 1870 the dispute was settled in her favour.” Isn’t that a lovely story? I think so, that's why I had to write a mini biography about her.
