I love year end reflections and recaps, and today I’m sharing one particular to blogging: the 10 most popular posts of the year, determined by pure numbers. These are the 12 posts that garnered the most pageviews during the calendar year beginning January 1, in order, most to least.
The internet is a funny place. It’s always interesting to see what ends up on this list, because “popular” doesn’t mean “best.” These aren’t necessarily my favorite posts, or yours. Some of these posts did well because you loved and shared them; some are here because Facebook kept popping them in people’s feeds, or it somehow ranks high in Google search, or Reddit got ahold of it.
I’m always surprised to see what makes the list, and what doesn’t, and hope you enjoy perusing these top 12. Sometimes the results make me shake my head, but I’m sharing them anyway.
It’s worth noting that two pages that aren’t “posts” are consistently hugely popular around here: readers flock to the book list category every day, and the What Should I Read Next page is always hopping.
Now without further adieu … the most popular posts of 2019, in order:
1. 100 stocking stuffers that will actually be appreciated, don’t feel like a waste of money, and won’t be broken/destroyed/forgotten by New Years. These favorite (and a few unconventional) stocking stuffers won’t make you feel like you’re throwing your money away. Some are inexpensive, some are a little more spendy, but all will actually be used.
2. Unputdownable: 17 books I read in 24 hours or less (because they were just that good). 17 titles featuring great characters, strong narrative drive, and a premise that sucks you right in.
3. 9 books you should have read in high school that are totally worth reading now. If you tend to get a little panicky when you consider all the books you feel like you should have read by now, take heart: you’ll get more out of reading these novels now than you ever would have gotten out of them in high school.
4. What I learned from living with all-white walls for a whole year. I used to think all-white walls weren’t for me. But a year after moving into our new-to-us old house in which every single wall was painted Benjamin Moore Simply White, I wrote about what I love, what I don’t, and what I’ve learned.
5. 6 books I had to be talked into reading (and I’m so very glad I did). Here are six examples of wonderful books I nearly didn’t read because I avoided them for silly, shallow reasons.
6. 23 books I can’t wait to read in 2019. I was surprised to see this make the list. It’s fun to look at it now: I can see multiple books that made the Summer Reading Guide, a handful of books I hated, and a few more I never got around to reading. (Psst—our Winter Book Preview is coming to the blog in a few weeks!)
7. 13 things I’ve learned in 30 months of Stitch Fix (aka my best Stitch Fix tips). Eight and a half years and 40-something fixes later, these are my best tips for getting the most out of Stitch Fix.
8. 7 series to read next after you’ve run out of Louise Penny novels. It turns out I’m not the only one in search of great mystery series to keep me occupied while I’m waiting for the next Inspector Gamache novel to come out. Note: there are 321(!!!) comments on this post.
9. The ten-item wardrobe. Some people think this topic is superficial, but we all have to get dressed. If you put some thought and organization into this daily task, you can completely change your life. (I love that this post is Don’t Overthink It-related!)
10. The 2019 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide. Every year I release a shortened version of the Summer Reading Guide, featuring five titles that are hugely entertaining, have broad appeal, and cover a variety of topics, themes, genres, and perspectives.
11. 40 favorite audiobooks for kids. My own family’s favorites, the ones we’re looking forward to listening to in the car and during quiet time, and a healthy number of reader selections.
12. The 2020 Reading Challenge. It’s no surprise this is popular in this readerly community.
For more superlatives: check out my favorite books of 2019, and my favorite—as opposed to the most popular—posts of 2018.
3 comments
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the wonderful stocking stuffer suggestions of the Aeropress espresso maker and hand-held milk frother! (I went with the PowerLix milk frother, which several respected sources proclaimed to be the best.) My coffee-loving son, age 24, is the type who enjoys the ritual of fixing his tea or coffee, and who enjoys striving for a high-quality result. Our coffee-related gifts of past years have been big hits. His birthday was just 3 weeks ago, though, leaving me bereft of gift ideas for Christmas. He’d already gotten his main Xmas+b’day combo gift, a bike refurbishment (his request), and we’d given him some interesting coffees for additional birthday “unwrappables,” so he was fully stocked for coffee. The latte equipment — especially pieces that won’t take up a lot of counter space — was just the thing! Additionally, you and your podcast guests have also supplied the ideas for his past two gift books! He LOVED Ford vs. Ferrari. This time around it’s Ship of Gold In the Deep Blue Sea. I so appreciate the Personal Shopper role you play in my life! And your podcast is my answer to the Calm app… a great way to de-stress before bedtime. P.S. – I’m in the Libby queue for the most recent installment from Louise Penny, so thanks for the suggestions for getting by until she produces the next “fix”!
I totally get what you mean about the internet being a surprising place for bloggers – some posts that I think are just “meh” end up being super popular, and some that I think are fantastic barely catch anyone’s eye. Them’s the breaks! Sometimes I wonder if super-prolific authors (like Agatha Christie) felt the same about some of their books… But I think all of these posts are fantastic, it’s been wonderful following MMD this year – looking forward to what comes in 2020!
Them’s the breaks, for sure! I’m glad it’s not just me. Thanks for the kind words and here’s to 2020!