“You Can Never Get A Cup of Tea Large Enough or A Book Long Enough to Suit Me.” -C.S. Lewis
Welcome to Friday Favorites. These posts are designed as a way for me to share what I love with you! And something I love most are books.
Ever since I was a kid, reading has been the ultimate escape + adventure. My passion for books and writing began far before I can recall (so I’m told). I was an accelerated reader in elementary school and a big literary nerd in high school. As an adult, my home built library is my greatest gift.
Reading and writing are my passion, my joy, my hearts beat. That’s because there is something almost magical that happens when you dive into a book – whether fiction, fantasy, faith based, or non-fiction – isn’t there?
My favorite books are the ones where I feel like I’m talking to my best friend over coffee or watching a movie play out in my mind. Books are some of the most pure ways to communicate authentically. And the real good ones inspire, encourage, and change something inside you, well after the cover closes.
But, you’re not here to listen to my bibliophilia. If you’re reading this, that means you, too, have a love of reading and are intrigued to see if my list matches yours or if you’ll find your next favorite in this list.
I am so excited to share the titles that profoundly inspired me in 2023 (and in no particular order).
Ready to embark on a literary journey that could change your life? Let’s get started!
1. Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him by Amy Gannet
Goodreads Book Description
“We live in a polarized time. Christians are quick to conceive of themselves either as theologically-minded or worship-minded; either thinking Christians or feeling Christians. The results are damaging: theology without worship is muted, stifled, and cold, and worship without theology is ungrounded, unrooted, and uninformed.
This is not the way it was meant to be.
Theology (our study and knowledge of God) should always lead to doxology (our worship of Him). Worship should always be rooted in theology. When we study the nature and character of God as revealed in his Word, we are invited to respond in the affectionate, obedient discipleship of worship. How can we keep our theology from being mere head knowledge? How do we give our worship roots that will last? By fixing our eyes on God Himself—the object of our study and the object of our worship.
Fix Your Eyes is an invitation to understand core doctrines of the Christian faith and apply them in our daily worship of God. It walks believers through key theological concepts and shows how each can be lived out in daily life.”
Why I Loved This Book
Holy moly this book is power packed with sound doctrine and relatable experiences that will shape and resonate with you no matter where you are in your walk with Jesus.
As an alumni of Moody Bible Institute, this Bible Studies major is no foe to thorough exegesis and that is just what Amy illustrates and accentuates throughout this book. More Jesus, less us, especially when it comes to our study, knowledge and worship of God.
- If you want to grow in grace and knowledge of who Jesus is, then this book is for you.
- If you want to reignite your worship and love for God, then this book is for you.
- If you have no idea what theology is or why it matters, then this book is for you.
Get it on amazon HERE!
2. The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson
Goodreads Book Description
“How to make home your family’s favorite place to be . . . all year long.
Does your home sometimes feel like just a place to eat, sleep, and change clothes on the way to the next activity? Do you long for “home” to mean more than a place where you stash your stuff? Wouldn’t you love it to become a haven of warmth, rest, and joy . . . the one place where you and your family can’t wait to be?
There is good news waiting for you in the pages of The Lifegiving Home. Every day of your family’s life can be as special and important to you as it already is to God. In this unique book designed to help your family enjoy and celebrate every month of the year together, you’ll discover the secrets of a life-giving home from a mother who created one and her daughter who was raised in popular authors Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Together they offer a rich treasure of wise advice, spiritual principles, and practical suggestions. You’ll embark on a new path to creating special memories for your children; establishing home-building and God-centered traditions; and cultivating an environment in which your family will flourish. “
Why I Loved This Book
I have never felt so seen as I did while reading this book. I love my mom, but if God gave me a chance to choose one other person on this planet to be my mother, I would choose Sally Clarkson.
From the relationships with her children, the love of beauty in all God’s creation, the intentionality in the little things – every word spoke to my soul.
I especially love how this book is laid out in a 12 month format. The specific detail and instruction for each month and season is exceptional, especially for my ADHD heart that can get overwhelmed with too much information and my catastrophic anxiety that would over analyze when and how to implement this amazing advice.
This book made me not only be proud of my role as a homemaker, but to really step into the gifts and calling of it; from bedtime blessings with my children to setting the table for dinner every night and the in between of tea parties and seasonal traditions.
- If you are a mama who is looking for ways to create a space of tradition, joy, and beauty – this book is for you.
- If you are a woman who longs to create a space of warmth and comfort – this book is for you!
You can get this book HERE!
3. The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment
Goodreads Book Description
“Allow your children to experience the adventure, freedom, and wonder of childhood with this practical guide that provides all the information, inspiration, and advice you need for creating a modern, quality homeschool education.
Inspired by the spirit of Henry David Thoreau—”All good things are wild and free”—mother of five Ainsley Arment founded Wild + Free.
This growing online community of mothers and families want their children to receive a quality education at home by challenging their intellectual abilities and nurturing their sense of curiosity, joy and awe—the essence of a positive childhood.
The homeschool approach of past generations is gone—including the stigma of socially awkward kids, conservative clothes, and a classroom setting replicated in the home.
The Wild + Free movement is focused on a love of nature, reading great books, pursuing interests and hobbies, making the entire world a classroom, and prolonging the wonder of childhood, an appealing philosophy that is unpacked in the pages of this book The Call of the Wild and Free offers advice, information, and positive encouragement for parents considering homeschooling, those currently in the trenches looking for inspiration, as well as parents, educators, and caregivers who want supplementary resources to enhance their kids’ traditional educations.”
Why I Loved This Book
Last year, right around this time, I was praying over what to do about school for Andy. We were in the trenches of Kindergarten, and while I loved his school and his teacher, I did not love the hustle and hurry, the homework, and the anticipation of losing our precious time together.
That could verbatim be how this book starts. So, imagine my emotional self listening to this audiobook while driving home after dusk one weary and cold night in February.
I cried. Like, ugly girl cried in my car. I felt, in that moment, that God was calling me to homeschool. And I was terrified.
This book did such an amazing job of illustrating the joys and battles of homeschooling, the different methods, and the incredible gifts that come with living wild + free.
- If you are contemplating homeschooling, then this book is for you.
- If you are a seasoned homeschooler looking for something to inspire you, this is for you.
- If you want to create more wonder in your life AND your kids lives, then this book is for you.
You can get this book HERE!
4. The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie
Goodreads Book Description
“Connecting deeply with our kids can be difficult in our busy, technology-driven lives. Reading aloud offers us a chance to be fully present with our children. It also increases our kids’ academic success, inspires compassion, and fortifies them with the inner strength they need to face life’s challenges. As Sarah Mackenzie has found with her own six children, reading aloud long after kids are able to read to themselves can deepen relationships in a powerful way.
Founder of the immensely popular Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Sarah knows first-hand how reading can change a child’s life. In The Read-Aloud Family, she offers the inspiration and age-appropriate book lists you need to start a read-aloud movement in your own home. From a toddler’s wonder to a teenager’s resistance, Sarah details practical strategies to make reading aloud a meaningful family ritual. Reading aloud not only has the power to change a family—it has the power to change the world.”
Why I Loved This Book
Clearly reading is my passion, so there was no doubt I had to hear what this mama of six had to say about reading aloud with your family.
Reading aloud is something I have done since the moment my kids were born. With my first, my anxiety was so bad I had no idea what to do, so I would read to him.
Since that moment, our home has always been brimming with books; chapter books, picture books, educational books.
Sarah does such an incredible job of sharing the science behind why reading aloud is so beneficial for families. My favorite thing about this book is that she gives incredible recommendations for every age level! It has been a handy library companion this year!
- If you love to read and love reading to your children, then this is for you.
- If you want to foster a love of reading in your family, then this is for you.
- If you are looking for resources to encourage reading as a family, this is for you!
You can get this book HERE!
5. Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
Amazon Book Description
“Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for them and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home. Yet so many parents (mainly mothers) who have taken up this challenge find the enterprise often full of stress, worry, and anxiety. In this practical, faith-based, and inspirational book, Sarah Mackenzie addresses these questions directly, appealing to her own study of restful learning and her struggle to bring restful learning to her (six) children.”
Why I Loved it
If I had an author of the year, I guess it would be Sarah Mackenzie. I honestly didn’t even realize at first that this book and the Read Aloud Family were the same author.
This was such an encouragement to read before we started homeschooling this year. Sarah gives practical advice while saturating the pages with Biblical encouragement.
This book for sure felt like I was talking over all the trials and triumphs of our homeschool journey with my best friend.
- If you are about to start homeschooling, read this book.
- If you are in the midst of your homeschool year, read this book!
You can purchase this book HERE!
6. M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood by Abbie Halberstadt
Goodreads Book Description
“Mama of ten Abbie Halberstadt helps women humbly and gracefully rise to the high calling of motherhood without settling for mediocrity or losing their minds in the process.
Motherhood is a challenge. Unfortunately, our worldly culture offers moms little in the way of real help. Mamas only connect to celebrate surviving another day and to share in their misery rather than rejoice in what God has done and to build each other up in hard times.
There has a be a better way, a biblical way, for mamas to grow and thrive.
As a daughter of Christ, you have been called to be more than an average mama. Attaining excellence doesn’t have to be unsettling but it will take committed focus and a desire to parent well according to God’s grace and for His glory.
M is for Mama offers advice, encouragement, and scripturally sound strategies seasoned with a little bit of humor to help you embrace the challenge of biblical motherhood and raise your children with love and wisdom.
Mama, you are worthy of the awesome responsibility God has given you. Now it’s time to start believing you can live up to it.”
Why I Loved This Book
Holy gut punch. Like, really. This book wrecked me in the best way possible. It was convicting, challenging, and had me crying in repentance more than a few times.
But, that’s what makes this book so great. In the hard is the beauty of what we can become as mothers if we allow the Lord to work within us instead of bowing down to mediocre motherhood!
This book completely changed how I view my role as a mother and challenged me to take that role with every ounce of gratitude and honor I have.
I will definitely be reading this repeatedly.
- If you are a Christian mama, you need to read this.
- If you are an expecting Christian mama, you need to read this (I think this would make an excellent baby shower gift).
You can purchase this book HERE!
7. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Goodreads Book Description
“No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.
Learn how to:
– Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
– Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
– Design your environment to make success easier;
– Get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.
Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.”
Why I Loved This Book
Ok, truth bomb. I had this on my reading wish list for like 2-3 years before I finally read it (maybe even longer). It sounded good but I never actually made the move to purchase it.
I had acquired a lot of audible credits and figured it was time to cash in. I am so thankful I did.
This book was profoundly influential. I immediately implored my husband to read it too. We both would stand in the kitchen talking about how simple the tactics James described were, but how we had never thought to apply them before.
I can honestly say I would not have been able to cultivate our homeschool rhythm without the tools I learned in this book. It has also been life changing for how to better manage my ADHD when it comes to consistency – especially in writing!
- If you have goals you are striving to achieve, then read this book.
- If you want to build better habits but don’t know where to start, then this book is for you.
- If you are in a leadership role and are looking to encourage your people, read this book!
Literally everyone should read this.
Grab your copy HERE!
Well, that’s all folks! These seven books profoundly changed my life in 2023 and I can confidently say they have made a lasting impression on me that will carry throughout the new year.
I would love to know your thoughts on these titles! Have you read any? Have a favorite? Any on your wishlist? Lets chat in the comments!
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As always, thanks so much for being here! Want more? Check out my FREEBIES and other posts on the blog!
xoxo, Nicole
