21 Dec The Best Reads of 2018

Grab a cuppa (and a treat). Get comfy. And have a leisurely read of 2018’s most popular stories on life, work, … and the wonderful world of words.

Written by Daniela Cavalletti

3 min read

I don’t know about you, … but I’m ready for a wee bit of slowing down for a while.

Once again, another eventful year has whooshed by. And before we could say “mince pie!” (or, in my case, “Marzipan Stollen!”) it’s the last day (and blog post) before my team and I go on a two-week Christmas break. As with most years, December has seen us all knee-deep in last-minute tasks, project planning, and general readying our live and business (and our clients’) for a new year.

Now, with everything nicely squared away, it’s time for a bit more fun + play (cue: a colour-bombing, Holi-inspired Christmas party tonight), and lots and lots of reading (ahhhh, bliss …).

Reading Sets My World on Fire

I’ve always been fascinated with (and in awe of) the power and beauty of words. Since being of tender toddler age, I’ve been greedily hoarding books, going on treasure hunts in dictionaries; and generally reading anything I could get my hands on. I love examining and soaking up ideas, marvelling at turn of phrases and the ability of writers to paint a vivid picture in my mind. It’s been a thrilling ride of wonder and excitement that’s been lasting a few decades now.

Many things I so discovered have sparked my own stories and ideas – and have found their way into my articles. Your comments and engagement with our blog continue to inspire and encourage my team and me to continue to think, explore, read and write.

Thank you for that gift.

The Best Stories You Might Have Missed In 2018

My reading list for the break is starting to come together nicely. I’ll be revisiting old favourites, discovering new authors, and venture into genres from sci-fi to mindfulness. Watching the pile of books (and online bookmarks) grow fills me with a thrill of anticipation and joy.

December is also the time of year when, as a team, we look back on the blog posts we wrote during the year, and pick your and our favourites. In the articles we collated for you, you will find a bit of everything. Thoughts about life and work; writing and reading; stress and silence.

So here are our stories for you – enjoy!

#1. Shared World: Experiences That Resonated With You

1. Sea Change: Everything is Better in Launceston
2. Restoring a Sense of Calm + Control: How to Teach Yourself to Be Less Stressed + Frantic
3. Self Compassion: How a Bad Year Made Me a Better Person 
4. Stop Being So Busy: 3 Guilt-Free Steps to Saying ‘No’
5. Close Enough is Good Enough: Stop Being So Bloody Hard On Yourself

#2. Blogs on Better (+ More Fun) Business

1. Getting Through the Silly Season: How to Avoid a Costly (Business) Hangover
2. Productivity: Why Silence Is Golden for Business
3. Networking Success: 10 Nifty Networking Tricks That’ll Make You A Pro
4. Staying Sharp: Is Reading The Ultimate Brain Hack?
5. The Sweet Sound of Silence: Why Silence Is Golden for Business

#3. The Hottest Marketing-Writing Tips

1. How to Blog: 5 Clever Shortcuts to Writing Better Blogs
2. Direct Mail Marketing (eDMs): 8 Reasons Why Your Email Marketing Isn’t Working
3. Broaden Your Appeal: How Going Multiculti Will Take Your Content Up a Notch
4. Happy Endings: Case Studies – The Stars in Your Marketing Toolbox
5. Convince Me: Writing to Persuade – 4 Tricks from the Writer’s Toolbox

BONUS – A New Voice, An Emerging Talent

Budding writer Marianne Arthur debuted on our blog this year. She delighted and engaged in conversation many of you with her thoughtful writing and deep insights into topical issues. She’ll be back with more soon.

Here’s what is she wrote about:

1. #MeeToo Movement: How Power Corrupts
2. On Being an Immigrant: “Other” Is an Easy Hook to Tear Someone Open With

What’s on Your Reading List?

Which authors, journalists and storytellers have inspired you this year? 

Here’s what’s in my (growing) reading pile:

• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (an old and lasting favourite)
• On Doubt by Leigh Sales (my intellectual crush)
• The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks (he of The Wasp Factory and the Culture Series fame)
• The Wife Drought by Annabel Crabb
• Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton (I just finished it, yet ready to re-read it; it’s that good)
• Outspoken by Father Rod Bower (thank you for the reminder Sebastiaan)

What reading are you planning to gorge on during the break?

I’d love for you to share your own list in the comments – and discover whose words stir your soul, ignite your imagination, and get you thinking.