Another year has flown by! Every year I look at the “best of lists” and wonder, “where was I this year?” I feel like I miss a lot of books, songs, movies, podcasts and trends. This year, I know the answer to my question. I was here writing this blog, working, running and funning. That said, here is a quick review of some “bests” or “most populars.” If you are like me, you can catch up on some of these in January and February when it is too cold outside to do anything else… unless it isn’t!
2015 was the year of marriage equality, ebola, crazy politics and much more. The NY Times Year in Pictures is a great way to look back. In case you missed them, here are the Google Trends, too!
Best Books of 2015
This year, I am embarrassed to report that I read 0 of the New York Times Top 10 books of 2015. And, I read 0 of 100 Notable Books. Whoa, this is a record low for me (last year, I read 1). Can’t go any lower! Better luck next year. Yikes, only 6 from Amazon’s top 100 list, too. I did read and enjoy many books this year. What were your favorites?
Best Movies of 2015
I know I will fall short here. I saw just a few movies this year. We saw the Spotlight last week, so I saw 1 of Rolling Stone’s top picks (we may make it 2 by seeing Star Wars today) and none of Richard Brody from the New Yorker’s top picks. What were your favorites?
Best TV Shows of 2015
I pretty much never watch TV except on the treadmill and watching series’ on Netflix with The Husband, so I am happy to report I did see one of the top 10 TV shows of 2015 from Vulture. We watched Mad Men in real time and we have season 3 of the Americans in our queue. I am excited for the return of Downton Abbey. We are almost caught up. What were your favorites?
Best Podcasts of 2015
I do listen to TONS of podcasts on the run and commute so I am more attuned to the podcasts on Stitcher’s list. I would say many of my favorites this year have mostly been from This American Life, The Moth and TED Radio Hour. I am loving Gimlet Media’s Start Up, Reply All, Mystery Show and Surprisingly Awesome. I can’t wait to see what they do next! What were your favorites? Add any new ones?
Best Songs/Music of 2015
I am so out of touch with new music other than pop stuff that I hear in gym classes. I don’t know how I wind up somewhere in 2005 listening to the Killers or 2009 listening to Adele or even further back. I did enjoy NPRs stories and articles on Best Music of the Year 2015. I downloaded Adele’s new album, but that did not make the list. What recommendations do you have for me in terms of new music?
Best in Travel 2015
I love to travel and we hit wine country in California and Medellin, Colombia this year plus NYC, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and a bunch of other US destinations this year. We did not hit any of Lonely Planet’s top countries this year! Medellin and the Presidio in San Francisco made National Geographic’s 2015 list! A few places we have been were on the 52 Places to Go in 2015 from the NY Times – the only ones I hit this year were Lower Manhattan, Medellin and Miami Beach. Where did you go? Where would you love to go in 2015?
Top Fitness Trends 2015
Well, everyone was wearing trackers and going to boutique fitness classes here this year. I did some of both, too! I wrote a whole post on this one: 2015 Fitness Year in Review and What’s Trending for 2016. I tried everything and am sticking with running, body weight strength training and pilates. I added back in my Fitbit (and now I am obsessed!) This year I want to get back to spinning more and try heart rate monitor training again. What was your favorite new fitness trend? What will you try in 2016?
2nd Year – “Top 10 Things That Broke The Internet”
There were several lists of “Top 10 Things That Broke the Internet.” Here is one from Time. In last year’s post, I asked for a Kardashian free year. Well, Bruce Caitlyn Jenner ruined that one. I see some on the list that I heard about but never saw until now. This is low brow and I dig it. What was your favorite?
My Top Blog Posts of 2015 by Pageviews
Wow, you folks love giveaways! I do promote these the most heavily.
- Friday Finds: More Online Shopping Helpers + Great Deals (coincided with the launch of CBS The Talk’s “Friday Finds” – I had me biggest day ever that day, too!)
- It’s Oatober! Peanut Butter & Co + Bob’s Red Mill #Giveaway
- Try It Tuesday: Pay per Mile Insurance with Metromile #Giveaway
- Erica Finds is 3! Lessons Learned + Blogiversary #Giveaway
- Guest Post: You Say It’s Your Birthday? Get LOTS of Freebies!
- 2nd Annual Shape Up for Summer Giveaway Hop
- Peanut Butter & Co Pumpkin Spice #PSILoveYou #Giveaway
- Deliciousness Unleashed! Kodiak Cakes Review + #Giveaway
- A Confession To Make + What It Means For You #Giveaway
(A Few of) My Favorite Less Read Posts of 2015 (by me) I can’t pick favorites from all of the blogs I follow. It would take way too long!
- Friday Finds: Five Things I was Doing 10 Years Ago
- 10 Tips For My Younger Self\
- The Power of Positive Thinking a/k/a My Phoenix Marathon Report
- 5 Reasons to Take Trips with Friends (+ Healdsburg Tips!)
- 10 Ways to Stay Fit & Healthy on Vacation This Summer
- From the Blogosphere: Simple Tips for Starting the New Year Healthy!
Well, that’s all for me, for now. How current were you this year with the trends? Tell me about it in the comments!
Catch you in 2016!