Top 5 Books of 2015

I had a hard time finding what I wanted to share for Amy's 'Five on Friday' link party today, but I really wanted to take part in a little online activity, as it is nasty outside, so time in the house will be generous.

I was busy entering another book into GoodReads, and was curious to see how many books I added to the read list in 2015.  I wasn't all that impressed, and would like to read more this year, and that is as close as I will come to a resolution.  But, I easily picked out 5 of my favourites and had my topic for today's post.

Starting with number 5:

5). Let The Elephants Run - David Usher  

     A book about understanding the creative process, how and why it works.  I found this book encouraging and it helped me to slow down on looking too far ahead with an idea, and then squashing that idea before it ever had a chance to become reality. It taught me that inspiration can come from anything and if you let it, will run in the most unexpected of directions.  I did some of the exercises, and got a kick out of them.  Overall, it was just a fun book that ended up changing my life in the subtle ways I view myself in relation to the world. So thank-you Mr. Usher!

4). Around The World in Eighty Days - Jules Verne

     A classic, but one I hadn't read, and was glad I took the time to.  It was an easy read, fast paced and quite short.  Maybe I should read more like this to lengthen my list for this year.  Like the main character, Phileas Fogg, does with everyone he meets, this book left an impression on me, and although I haven't, it would be worth looking into the whys of that.  I enjoyed it, would recommend it, and will eventually read it again.  Maybe that is my problem, perhaps I shouldn't reread books, because I don't add them to my list twice.

3). The Stone Diaries - Carol Shields

     A novel that takes you from birth to death of an ordinary woman.  That was all I needed to hear for me to pick this one up.  I related to this book.  The simple observation of one's own life.  I do it all the time, and was eager to read about someone else's experience with it.  The fact that it is fiction is irrelevant.  It is the perception that matters here.

2). Drowning Ruth - Christina Schwarz

     This book mislead me,   I was confident with where I thought it was going, and then a little blip here and there would have me second guessing my ideas.  I read this book in a short amount of time due to the author's talent with this.  I just needed to know what the heck had actually happened.  I've never read a mystery that intrigued me the way this one did.  I wouldn't even categorize this one as a mystery, although I suppose it  is.  It just doesn't read like you would expect a book of that genre to.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants something out of the ordinary.

1). The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls

     I could go on and on about this book.  This author's memoir has helped me to shift my own perception of what it means to be a family.  As a matter of fact, it is still working it's magic.  Weeks after finishing it, I am still considering it.  How we can be completely connected and at the same time live entirely separate lives from our families, is something I have always struggled to balance.  This memoir has helped me to move forward in my understanding of how to not let the negative overpower my memories and current experiences with my family, but even more than that, to turn what I thought was negative into a deep and powerful understanding.  That's a life-changer. And that is why I read.