I strongly believe the content that fills our minds and occupies our time shapes the lives we live and the people we become.
One of the biggest influences in my life comes from the books I read, as well as the Bible studies I complete, the podcasts I listen to, and the audio books I listen to with my children. While I love all of those outlets, books have always captivated my heart.
Over the last decade(ish), I have set a goal to read a non-fiction book every one or two weeks throughout the year (or 2+ books a month) and have been consistent reaching that goal with the exception of 2023. As I mentioned in my 2023 reflections post, I significantly cut back on my non-fiction reading last year. My mind needed a break, and my emotions were too much to handle challenging texts or topics. It was a season, for sure, and I needed some time to veg, rest, and regroup. Though, I humbly confess, I did replace my non-fictional reading with novels and classic fiction (for the first time since like, high school). In my dark and cloudy season, I needed a breezy escape to sweep me away to made-up places and allow my mind to indulge in the lives and stories of fictional characters.
All that to say, I read 12 non-fiction books in 2023 and published only one book review on my website. I wish I had more books to post and recommend to you but know that I intend to read and (hopefully) post more reviews this year, whether on this site or on my social media.
Rest assured, though, the books I did read are worth me taking the time to share with you here! In no specific order or rank, here they are…
The Books I Read In 2023
- Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That’s Beautiful Again by Lysa Terkeurst
- Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa Terkeurst
- Stolen Youth: How Radicals Are Erasing Innocence and Indoctrinating a Generation by Karol Markowicz and Bethany Mandel
- Sex Scandal: The Drive to Abolish Male and Female by Ashley McGuire
- From Mascara to Manhood: A Story of Transformation by Benjamin Blake Howard
- God Knows: When Your Worries and Whys Need More Than Temporary Relief by Lisa Whittle
- The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Carl Trueman
- Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution by Carl Trueman
- Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Nutritional Food by Catherine Shanahan
- Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence by Jamie Erickson
- Inconvenient Parenting: Activate Your Child’s God-Given Traits by Melissa Hannigan
- 8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences by Kathy Koch
Of these books, my standouts are…
Best Parenting Book
Runner-Up 2023 Books
