Get your TBR lists ready! If you’re looking for some great reads for the new year, I have some fantastic recommendations. Check out my favorite books I read in 2023!
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It’s that time again! Time for my FAVORITE annual blog post – the one where I share all my favorite books I read the previous year. And I’ve heard from a few of you that you look forward to these posts, as well, which absolutely delights me!
As always, I read a ton of outstanding books this year, which made it crazy difficult to choose my favorites. Just for you, though, I made the tough calls (and filled my decision-making quota for the day 😆), narrowing my list down to my top 20. I hope you find a few to add to your 2024 to-read list!
Psst… For updates on ALL my reads – the ones worth mentioning, anyway – throughout the year, be sure to follow The Merry Momma on social media!
Related Post: How I Read So Many Books as a Busy Mom
My Favorite Reads From 2023
Get your TBR lists ready! If you’re looking for some great reads for the new year, I have some fantastic recommendations. Check out my favorite books I read in 2023!
Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries – Kory Stamper
I know what you’re thinking (be honest: you made a 🤨 face when you read that subtitle, didn’t you?) – “A book about dictionaries?? That’s what you read for fun?” Yes. And it was shockingly interesting and entertaining!
Not only was the behind-the-scenes look at lexicography fascinating (I had NO idea what all went into making/editing/updating a dictionary), but the writing was delightful, as well. Unsurprisingly (given her experience with them), Kory masterfully crafts her words to keep readers engaged and amused through even the most technical descriptions of the most mundane tasks.
Fair warning: there is a good bit of language in this book. So, if that’s a deal-breaker for you, you’ll want to skip this one. (And you’ll definitely want to slip on some ear buds if you’re listening to the audiobook version with kids in the room.) But if you can get past that, this is the perfect book for lovers of words, and the English language, specifically.
Renovation of the Heart & The Great Omission – Dallas Willard
(I’m going to cheat a little by combining these two into one “favorite read from 2023” slot. 😉)
Renovation of the Heart was the first Dallas Willard book I had ever read, and I became an instant fan! I chose it as my first foray into the Willard treasure trove partly because I had heard it was one of his easier reads, but also because growing in the character of Christ is one of my utmost goals in life.
And it was one of the most helpful books I have ever read on the transformation of the spirit. With a masterful combination of theoretical insight and practical strategies, it showed me how to effectively be a true “apprentice of Jesus.”
Later in the year, I read The Great Omission, and it was outstanding. The more I read Dallas Willard, the more I love him. This book, in particular, was enlightening, challenging, and edifying – everything I want and need in a soul-nourishing book.
The premise of the book is that there is a vital piece of the Great Commission missing (the titular “omission”) in much of modern Christianity. That missing piece is discipleship. So focused on making converts, we are not, he says, actually making disciples. We approach getting people into Heaven as our chief (and sometimes only) goal, rather than discipling people to live a Kingdom life in every aspect of their earthly existence, as well. As he says, salvation is so much more than simply avoiding hell.
The majority of the book is a collection of writings and sermons on discipleship and spiritual disciplines as they relate to spiritual formation. Because of that, it does repeat itself quite a bit — but I actually grew to appreciate that. Rather than get annoyed at the repetition, I embraced it as a way to plant the truths he communicates deeply into my heart.
I would enthusiastically put either book on a must-read list for all Christians. And money-saving tip — I got each of them for under $5 used on Thriftbooks!
Better Than Before – Gretchen Rubin
This book is hands-down my favorite book on habits I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a few!). I liked it even better than Atomic Habits, which is often touted as the pinnacle of habit books.
The reason I love this one so much – besides the fact that it’s fascinating, insightful, and incredibly helpful – is that it presents different strategies for different personalities.
Unlike 98% of conventional habit wisdom, Gretchen asserts that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to habit formation/elimination. By couching everything in terms of her Four Tendencies, she shows why some strategies work for some people and not for others. As I read, I keep thinking, “Yes! This is why this hasn’t worked for me!”
If you’ve read other habits books and been discouraged by your lack of progress, give this one a try. I think it’ll blow your mind.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania – Erik Larson
This was my fifth Erik Larson book, and I’ve loved them all. He is such a masterful storyteller, you almost forget it’s nonfiction! This particular book tells the (partially untold) story of the sinking of the Lusitania, and as always, it is enthralling.
Purposeful Play – Kristi Mraz, Alison Porcelli, Cheryl Tyler
While this book is geared towards classroom teachers, the research on play is fascinating for anyone who works with kids. Backed by research and real-life experience, Purposeful Play shows the essential benefits of different types of play, explains how kids can receive a rigorous education while playing (they’re not mutually exclusive!), and provides practical ideas of how teachers (or parents) can incorporate play into all aspects of instruction.
Reading this book inspired me to write the blog posts, “10 Things Parents Need to Know About Play” and “20 Everyday Ways to Play as a Family.”
Jim Trelease’s Read-Aloud Handbook – Jim Trelease
I have long known about the benefits of reading out loud to kids (it’s why I do it daily with my own!), but this book illuminates how truly incredible they are. The width and depth of the effects of reading to kids is mind-blowing! I’ve been passionate about reading to kids for years, but this book made me want to champion it even more. And the book lists at the end are a treasure trove of read-aloud recommendations.
Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids – Dr. Kara Powell & Dr. Chap Clark
We’ve all seen the statistics about how many young people “leave the faith” after high school – but what can we do about it? This book dives into the reasons behind the numbers and offers practical suggestions for nurturing a thriving faith in our kids that is genuine and lasting. A faith, in other words, that “sticks.”
This book gave me a lot to think about – as a parent, as a children’s ministry volunteer, as a church member, and as an adult who longs to return to that “village” mentality of raising kids. I’m still mulling over how I can put what I learned into action, as I’m sure I will be for months (and years!) to come. This is a book I will want to come back to again and again.
Raising Lifelong Learners – Lucy Calkins
This is an incredibly valuable resource for parents who want to raise lifelong learners, as well as for the teachers who want to nurture them. I initially picked it up from our public library, but I loved it so much, I bought my own copy. I gained a wealth of valuable insight and practical ideas. I’ve been putting the things I’ve learned into practice, and I’m seeing so many sparks of delight and engagement in my kids.
In addition to all the things I learned to do, I also learned some things not to do, including a few that I had, in fact, been doing. I’m thankful for all of it!
It is an older book, published in 1997 (ancient, right? 😉), so a few things are out-of-date. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much of it was still relevant. I’d say this is a classic, though I’d LOVE to read an updated version!
Honorable Mention: How to Raise a Reader – Pamela Paul & Maria Russo
How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, editors of The New York Times Book Review, is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to raise kids with a love of books and reading. It’s actually just the kind of thing I’d love to create one day! Because this has been a passion and research area of mine for quite some time (and very nearly a career path!), a lot of it I already knew/have been doing. But I picked up several new tips, as well.
I didn’t always agree with the authors, but that’s ok! The reading “experts” often conflict in their philosophies and recommendations, and I enjoy reading from diverging viewpoints. That’s how you solidify your own beliefs and/or develop a well-rounded approach.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the multiple book lists. Again, some of the recommendations made me cringe a little, but I’m sure my lists would (and do) have the same effect. That’s the beauty of books – they’re so personal, and there’s something for everyone!
The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most – Crystal Paine
So much more than “just another” time management book, The Time-Saving Mom combines big-picture vision with the practical tools to bring it to fruition. It helps readers develop the systems and strategies they need for greater peace and productivity in light of their overall purpose and priorities. It guides them in answering the questions, “What truly matters in this season of my life, and how can I make full use of my time to accomplish it?”
To be completely honest, I probably would have loved it even more if I was starting “from scratch” when it comes to time management and priorities. Because I’ve been following Crystal for years, I’d already seen/heard her talk about a lot of the things she describes in the book. Plus, I’ve done a lot of work in recent years to 1) determine my priorities and 2) develop, hone, and tweak systems that work for me.
That being said, I picked up quite a few helpful tidbits! She went into greater detail about her methods and systems than what I’d seen from her before, and there were several things I thought were worth adding to (or even replacing) what I’m already doing. I’m eager to put them into practice!
Whether you feel caught in a cycle of chaos you can’t get out of, you’re perpetually stressed and overwhelmed, or you would simply like to use your time more effectively for the things that matter most, I highly recommend The Time-Saving Mom. I think everyone – from the super-scatterbrained to the ultra-organized – will get something out of it that will help them live their own life to the fullest.
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place – Andy Crouch
So much more than just a list of dos and don’ts, The Tech-Wise Family begins with a vision of what family is for and what we want for our homes. From that foundation, it builds a strategic plan for using technology carefully and intentionally (not avoiding it completely) to support our family purpose, culture, and connection, keeping it in its proper place so our families can thrive.
What I love most about this book is that it’s not “anti-technology.” Andy Crouch is not some Luddite who rants and raves about the evils of technology. He fully acknowledges its usefulness and admits his own frequent use of it. What he does, however, is show the dangers of letting it consume us, and he offers strategic approaches to putting healthy boundaries around its influence.
Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age – Sherry Turkle
In this book, Turkle, a media scholar and digital culture researcher, explains how technology has shaped us into people who shy away from conversation, even as we become (seemingly) more connected than ever. She also shows how that “flight from conversation,” as she calls it, has cost us in our relationships, our communities, our businesses, and even ourselves.
The good news, however, is that there is a solution. Just as our avoidance of conversation has cost us dearly, an intentional return to it can help us recover lost ground. And throughout the book, Turkle makes a profoundly compelling case to make that a priority.
This book truly is a must-read. While not light and easy by any means, it is definitely accessible and 100% worth it. It was intriguing, thought-provoking, and deeply convicting (even for me – someone who naturally loves conversation!). I urge everyone to give this one a read. You won’t walk away the same.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
This book, recommended to me by a friend, sat on my to-read shelf for months, patiently waiting for its turn as I repeatedly passed it over in favor of other selections. To be honest, I wasn’t super eager to read it because I just didn’t think it was going to apply much to me.
Finally, after being pestered enough about it, I did. And WOW. One chapter in, I had to (humbly) admit that I was wrong. It was SO good.
I had assumed it wasn’t for me since the subtitle says, “How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” and the summary talks of business leaders and high-performance teams. None of which describes me. But it really truly is a book for everyone (as my friend had tried to tell me).
From the very first chapter, I immediately saw applications to parenting, for one thing (since that’s the foremost “team” I’m currently leading), and it was deeply convicting! And the rest further challenged and inspired me.
There’s a lot to ponder, and incorporating it all is going to be a lifelong process. But I don’t think I’ll ever be the same after learning this concept of “extreme ownership.” And I’m thankful I (finally!) said yes to a book I probably would have never chose to read on my own.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk / How to Talk so Kids Can Learn – Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Here I go, “cheating” again so that I can squeeze two fantastic books into one “favorite reads from 2023” slot. They are both so good!
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is a bestselling classic for a reason. It teaches parents (and anyone working with kids) how to effectively communicate with kids with empathy and respect, while also setting limits and boundaries that lead to peaceful, cooperative solutions. While I didn’t agree with everything in the book, I learned valuable new ways to view and address different challenges, and the examples were a gold mine of practical help.
After educators by the droves asked them to write a version for the school setting, the authors teamed up with two other educators to write How to Talk So Kids Can Learn for both parents and teachers. And after I read it, I couldn’t stop raving about it! From managing big emotions to handling disruptions to praising and criticizing effectively, I learned so many strategies for bringing out the best in the kids in my life.
The methods described in the book are not quick-and-easy methods, and they’ll require a lot of practice to turn them into habits. But I’ve already seen results as I’ve begun implementing them with my kids.
If you’re a parent or a teacher, I highly recommend either (or both!) of these books.
Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking Our Kids – And How to Break the Trance – Nicholas Kardaras
I’m not exaggerating when I say I want to beg every parent, educator, school administrator, and anyone else who works with kids to read it. It’s that enlightening and that important.
Kardaras is one of the world’s foremost addiction experts and a leading expert on digital addiction in kids. So, when he says screens are a problem, he knows what he’s talking about. When he says technology for kids (yes, even the “educational” kind) is profoundly affecting kids’ brains, he knows what he’s talking about. When he says video games, cell phones, and tablets are leading to severe mental health problems, including depression, ADHD, aggression, and even psychosis, he knows what he’s talking about. He sees it multiple times a day in his research and practice.
In the past, I’ve carefully (and nervously) danced around the subject of screen time because it’s such a touchy subject with moms. But I can no longer stay silent after reading what I’ve read. Same with screens in schools. I know that the vast majority of parents and educators who allow it (or even push it) do so from a lack of accurate information, not any ill-intentions. But that is exactly why I want to do my part to raise awareness.
If you have kids or work with kids, I urge you to read this book. It might just be one of the most important things you do for this generation.
Honorable Mentions
If you want to read more about the effects of technology on kids, adults, and society at large, I highly recommend Kardaras’ second book, Digital Madness: How Social Media Is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis–and How to Restore Our Sanity, and The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains, by Nicholas Carr.
When People Are Big and God is Small – Edward Welch
This was one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. Not because it’s the most insightful or well-written (though it’s certainly not lacking in either of those departments!), but because its message is so important.
For many years, I was a people pleaser and an approval addict. I was obsessed with what other people thought of me, and I couldn’t stand being anything less than perfect in their eyes. (Which, since I am obviously not that, you can imagine the mess of my emotional state.)
And while I’m still “in recovery,” about a year ago, I finally started to realize the secret to freedom – the more I thought about God, the less I thought about other people’s opinions. The more I worshiped Him, the less I worshiped myself. The more I cared about obeying Him (out of reverence, not fear), the less I cared about anything else.
I had already started on that journey, but this book further solidified it. I found it enlightening and edifying, yet also challenging, and it definitely made me rethink some conventional “wisdom” of our day… even if I’m not fully in agreement with him on everything.
Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry — Brian Dembowczyk
This book compels readers to understand why Gospel-centered kids ministry is so essential, explains what it looks like, and gives practical tips for how to incorporate it into their own kids’ ministries. It covers various areas of ministry, such as teaching (my favorite section), leadership, parent partnerships, and more. If you are involved in kids ministry in any way, shape, or form, I highly encourage reading this book.
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys – Stephen James & David Thomas
This is hands-down one of my favorite books I’ve ever read about raising boys. Though I’m no longer a foreigner in the world of boys by now, I gained many valuable insights about various aspects of boyhood/manhood, including developmental stages, physiology and brain formation, and emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. I wish I had read this book from the very beginning, but I’m thankful I have the knowledge moving forward.
My one complaint was that some of the humor felt a bit unkind, especially about the teenage years. I cringed at a few of their descriptions, and I felt they could have presented the necessary information in a more gracious and honoring way. I know it was meant to be humorous and relatable (and it was), but I couldn’t help but think, “What if a teenage boy were to pick this up and read it? How would he feel?” I’m also concerned it could negatively color parents’ attitudes and expectations going into those years. I have read other material from David Thomas, and I regularly listen to his podcast, and he doesn’t usually talk like that, so I wonder if he would word things differently now if he had the chance. (This book was written in 2009.)
Other than that, though, I loved this book. It was enlightening, encouraging, and incredibly instructive, and I would urge every parent, teacher, and caregiver of boys to read it.
Life With God – Richard Foster
This book blessed me so much when I read it. It was just the spiritual encouragement my heart needed! No fluffy, shallow read, it dives wonderfully deep into what it means to “walk with God.” Its powerful insights and encouragement remind us that Bible reading is about more than merely gaining knowledge (i.e. an end in itself); it’s a means for spiritual transformation.
For me, personally, it also illuminated some ways/areas I had (yet again!) been trying to change myself through my own efforts, rather than nurturing an inner orientation toward Christ and trusting Him to produce the fruit.
If you’ve ever wanted “more” from your Bible readings or have been frustrated by a lack of change in your attitudes and actions, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Life With God and learn how to let the life-giving words of God transform you from the inside out.
Side note: One of Foster’s other books, Celebration of Discipline, was one of my favorite reads from 2022!
The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too – Sissy Goff
As soon as I read this book, I knew it was going on my list of the most life-changing books I read all year.
Funny thing – before I started reading, I didn’t really think of myself as an anxious parent. Two chapters in, however, my need for this book became startlingly apparent. I found pieces of myself in nearly every description.
If I described every way this book impacted me, I’d be talking about it for days. The biggest thing it did for me, though, was open my eyes to how I had been letting the lies of anxiety infiltrate my parenting, and how that was then affecting my kids. (Which led me to panic for a bit before I realized, laughingly, that I was getting anxious about being anxious!)
Parenting one of my kids, in particular, has caused me quite a bit of consternation, and this book illuminated how my anxiety over it has been hurting me, my child, and our relationship. I feel deeply convicted about it, yet also incredibly hopeful about how I can (and will!) change that moving forward.
I will say, I read the book with a good deal of discernment (as we all should with anything we read!). Sissy is a professing Christian, and the book was full of wonderful, Biblical advice. However, she also referenced and endorsed a few people I do not support, which did give me pause. Overall, however, I had very few (and minor) issues with her advice, and I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any and all parents!
Until the Streetlights Come On – Ginny Yurich
I’ve been intrigued and inspired by 1000 Hours Outside for a while, so when I saw Ginny Yurich (the founder of the movement) came out with a book, I had to get it.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and think it’s an important one for parents to read. I was challenged, inspired, and motivated, and even though I had already read a lot of research about play and its benefits, I still learned some new things! (The chapter on light was fascinating!)
I didn’t agree with everything in the book, but it was always thought-provoking, and I appreciated being challenged by her perspectives and passion. It definitely made me want to place a(n even) greater priority on free play, unstructured exploration, and regular time outdoors, so I’d say she accomplished what she set out to do!
SHARE WITH US: What were some of YOUR favorite reads from 2023? Tell us in the comments below!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- My Favorite Books I Read in 2022
- My Favorite Books I Read in 2021
- My 15 Favorite Books I Read in 2020
- My Favorite Books I Read in 2019
- My Top 10+ Favorite Books From 2018
- My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017
Share your thoughts!