It’s time to share my 2023 Reader’s Journal! I have been sharing what I’ve read for about 11 years now. It has been so helpful to have these lists. My only regret is that I didn’t start recording my books read when I was a teenager. First I share my top 5 picks and then all the others, some of which were great, too. I would love to hear your feedback on some of these titles. My list does not include my Bible reading, The Cloud of Witness, Charlotte Mason’s 6 Volumes, or school books. If you post your list somewhere, feel free to share or link in the comments. I would love to see what you enjoyed this year. (an “*” denotes a book also highly recommended) I didn’t write brief comments with my top picks so please ask if you have any questions.
1. The Evangelical Imagination by Karen Swallow Prior
2. They Knew Mr. Knight by Dorothy Whipple
3. The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism by Daniel G. Hummel
4. Child Proof – Parenting by Faith Not Formula by Julie Lowe
5. You’re Only Human – How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News by Kelly M. Kapic
6. The Forester’s Daughter by Claire Keegan
7. Slightly Foxed No. 76, No. 77, No. 78, No. 79
*8. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
9. The Tale of Beatrix Potter by Margaret Lane
10. The Life We’re Looking For by Andy Crouch
11. William Morris – Words & Wisdom by National Portrait Gallery
12. William Morris – Artist, Designer, Poet, Campaigner by Victoria and Albert Museum
13. Spare by Prince Harry
14. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
*15. Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (reread)
16. The Tall Lady With The Iceberg by Anne Miller
17. Giving Up The Ghost – A Memoir by Hilary Mantel
18. Holy Hygge by Jamie Erickson
*19. Modern Miss Mason by Leah Boden
20. Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee
21. The Beauty of Life – William Morris & The Art of Design edited by Diane Waggoner
*22. All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore
*23. Alive in Christ by Charles W. Price
*24. Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice by Jessica Hooten Wilson
25. Be Unstoppable by Alden Mills
26. Conscience by Naselli and Crowley
27. Caught Up In The Spirit by Christopher Carter
28. The Spirit of Truth by Katz and Volk
*29. The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints by Jessica Hooten Wilson
30. In Memoriam – A Tribute to Charlotte Mason – PNEU (reread)
31. A Fortunate Grandchild by Miss Read
*32. Losing Our Religion by Russell Moore
33. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
*34. The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy by Robert P. Jones
*35. Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
*36. The Practice of the Presence of Jesus by Joni Eareckson Tada
37. The Next Right Thing by Emily Freeman
*38. In Good Time: 8 Habits for Reimagining Productivity, Resisting Hurry, and Practicing Peace by Jen Pollock Michael
39. Humility – The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund
40. Recapturing the Wonder: Transcendent Faith in a Disenchanted World by Mike Cosper
Past lists of reading goodness:
I have just stumbled into your blog 😄
Please, what book is The Cloud of Witness that you mention in your post?
Hello!
Here is my post explaining what the Cloud of Witness is – https://sageparnassus.com/the-cloud-of-witness-book-part-1/
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Warmly,
Nancy
Aww I love your reading lists — motivates me to protect the space to read in the rhythm of my days!
Amazing list, Nancy! I, too, loved Beth Moore’s autobiography; I listened to the audiobook on a long road trip (Beth narrates it herself!). Intense, sad, moving, beautiful.
While I have only read the above book from your list, I find it so fascinating that a couple of the authors you have read are some of my favs (KSP and JHW for example); and by favorites I mean that I follow them on X/Twitter, I ALWAYS love what they have to say, and I ALWAYS try to catch any podcast or webinar where they are guests; they both are doing such GREAT work in championing the love of reading and books! I own most, if not all, of the books that both have written and one day will take a deep dive into their respective oeuvre.
In addition, a few of the books you listed are by people that have podcasts that I love/have loved. Mike Cosper’s “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” was incredible! I highly respect his journalism. Also, this year I stumbled upon the Englewood Review of Books and was HOOKED! In fact, I contacted ERB about purchasing hard copies of their old review magazine, C. Christopher Smith emailed me back, and I ended up buying all 50 editions! They, too, are doing great work!
ALSO, I was so surprised to see the Slightly Foxed journals on your list! It is rather an obscure thing, so this was highly fascinating to me! I used to work at Half Price Books in Apple Valley and a co-worker was reading an issue one day, and she graciously gave me a few back copies. It is such a gem of a magazine! There are several like it out there (Plough, Comment); one day I may treat myself and become a subscriber.
P.S. Is the Emily Freeman book “The Next Right Thing”? Her podcast/website/books all look fantastic! Thanks for sharing! (I think…)
Anyway, had to share! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Dani,
Thanks for your thoughts! I listened to Beth Moore’s book, too, and agree with your assessment. Cosper’s podcast was amazing and so well done. His book was good, just not mind-blowing or anything new for me. ERB? I will definitely check it out now. I have been a big fan of the Slightly Foxed journals for a few years now. I’ve learned about so many new authors from them. Yes, I stand corrected on the title of Emily Freeman’s book.
Warmly,
Nancy
I love seeing your lists! I read You’re Only Human this fall and really enjoyed it.
Thank you! I loved it! So many ideas the Charlotte Mason espouses were woven throughout.