Best of 2023
Top Pick from the year
Habits of the Household - This was one of my favorite books from 2023. It was both practical and encouraging, which is the best combination for time well spent reading a book. This is one to get a hard copy of so that you can highlight and return to it over and over again.
We come together in order to be sent out. This is how we imitate the missional movement of the body of Christ; the Lord draws us near to send us far. This kind of movement can me imitated and varied in many ways: It could be a family breakfast and devotions, as I remember from my childhood. It could be a prayer you say during the car ride each morning. While it could be many things, I believe it is important to pay attention to this movement of gathering and sending, because without it, we usually default to being frayed and scattered by rush, rather than gathered and sent in love. - Justin Whitmel Early
For my family, this became simple prayer on Monday mornings in the car as we headed to our homeschool community day.
January
Made for More - I loved this book! Hannah Anderson's writing is beautiful. After finishing the book, I truly grasped what it means to reflect the image of God and live a full life in Christ
Remember that Genesis 1 defines being image bearers in context of relationships: being human means living in communion with God, in relationship with others, and in stewardship of creation. Because God is relational, we are relational as well. - Hannah Anderson
If you've never reflected on your identity in Christ, this one's a must-read. It's a journey well worth taking!
February
Every Woman a Theologian - An ideal start to theology! What I admire most about Phylicia is her dedication to presenting various perspectives on theological subjects, empowering YOU to form your beliefs confidently. This was a new, 2023 release.
Theology without intimacy is a hollow thing, neither relevant nor compelling. No unbelieving person wants it, and they shouldn’t, because it isn’t Christianity. Pursue theology to pursue the God’s heart, and you will be surprised to find that doctrine leads to devotion. - Phylicia Masonheimer
As the title suggests, this book is for every woman. It makes theology accessible and purposeful, and it would be a great read if you would like to deepen your understanding of what you believe.
March
Raising Amazing - This parenting book is practical and stands out because Monica shares wisdom gained from raising older children. What's great is that it includes insights from both her kids and her husband. This was another 2023 release.
A lot of people assumed I’d want to be a pro surfer like my older brother, but I didn’t. So when I started golfing last year, it was kind of weird. But my parents supported it, and now everyone is learning about golf, we all talk about golf, and everyone is proud of me… It feels good to think I’ve added something new to who the Swansons are. - Levi Swanson, age 12
I appreciate hearing what kids think their parents have done well. If you are looking for a parenting book that is focused on discipleship, especially for upper elementary ages and beyond, this is a good one!
April
Create Anyway - This is a book to savor. The subtitle is The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood, and that sums it up perfectly. Not only is the book itself beautifully inspiring, but it also contains creative exercises and journaling prompts to spark your creativity. Guess what?! It was a 2023 release.
When we pay attention to the world, to the flowers growing in the cracks of the sidewalks, we model an appreciation for beauty, for creation. When we walk confidently in the talents God has given us , we model faithfulness, obedience, and stewardship. - Ashlee Gadd
If you're in need of a breath of inspiration during an exhausting season, this book is a must.
May
Women of the Word - This book offers a concise and practical entry into Bible reading. Technically, this was a re-read since I read it for the first time 5 years ago, and it remained just as impactful. This quote is one of my all time favorites.
The heart cannot love what the mind does not know. - Jen Wilkin
This book is perfect for a women's group study. It comes with discussion questions at the end, making it an excellent starting point for your upcoming Bible study together.
June
Body - This book leans toward the scholarly side, diving into word studies on body, flesh, soul, spirit, and more. I revisited it this year, being a topic I'm personally invested in. Paula mainly uses Paul's writings to explore the body's significance for Christians.
Paul’s vision of a future, eternal, embodied existence for those who are in Christ pushes us to conclude that there is nothing wrong with our bodies per se. Quite the opposite in fact: if we are created to have a body now before death, and we will be raised to a body in the future after death, then bodies must be an essential part of what makes us human. - Paula Gooder
If this piques your interest, consider adding it to your list. Be prepared to think!
July
Teaching from Rest - I have recommended this book so many times… the best book for homeschool encouragement. This was also a re-read, and I plan to read it every year at the end of summer.
Relationships need time, spent lavishly. Homeschooling is all about relationships, and relationships just aren’t efficient! - Sarah Mackenzie
This tiny book is packed with gold. If you homeschool, this is a must imo.
August
Made for People - This is the book we all need to read that we didn’t know we needed to read. Friendship seems like a given, but as our cultures and communities shift to online, that is no longer the case. This was a 2023 release.
We are not called to friendship to simplify our lives, we’re called to friendship to sanctify our lives. - Justin Whitmel Earley
This is a practical book with a lot of encouragement, and I wish everyone would read it and prioritize friendship in 2024!
September
Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad - This is my favorite kind of book. Good stories that keep me engaged as the reader, truth, and encouragement all woven together. This is a book for the moms. You will relate to Abbie’s introduction, laugh a little, and then be brought to tears as she reminds you of your God given purpose. New 2023 release.
Without a biblical perspective on hard things, we will default to a cheap contentment that only sighs with relief when our circumstances match our desires (which, let’s be honest, is not contentment at all). - Abbie Halberstadt
If you are looking for a book on biblical motherhood that is straightforward and encouraging, this is top of the list.
October
Pilgrim - This is a beautiful devotional that will encourage you on your journey with Christ by focusing on the attributes of God. It is stunning, filled with hymns and Ruth’s artwork. New 2023 release.
God’s goodness isn’t simply that He is nice, kind or helpful; God’s goodness is the nonnegotiable standard of beauty, virtue, and wholesomeness that He embodies. God doesn’t have to try to be good; He simply is good. - Ruth Chou Simmons
If you need a daily dose of encouragement, or a book that would make a sweet gift… this a great choice.
November
Atomic Habit - I admit, I was a little late to this one. I really didn’t think I needed another habit book, but this one is a clear favorite for so many for good reason. It is very practical and worth the read.
Meanwhile, improving 1 percent isn’t particular notable - sometimes it isn’t even noticeable - but it can be far more meaningful, especially in the long run. The difference a tiny improvement can make over time is astounding. Here’s how the math works out: if you can 1 percent better each day over one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done. - James Clear
If you haven’t read this one yet, just go ahead and grab it.
December
Suffering Is Never for Nothing - I picked up this book as part of my goal to read Elisabeth Elliot's collection, and it's become my favorite so far. It is based on a 6 part video series, and that makes this a quick read. If there was a topic that Elisabeth Elliot was uniquely equipped to speak and write on, it is suffering.
It’s only in the cross that we can begin to harmonize this seeming contradiction between suffering and love. - Elisabeth Elliot
If you are looking for a short, but impactful read, this is does the job.
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