My Favorite Books of 2023

It's new years eve and I am in my happy place!

My husband asked if he could snap this picture because he said he wanted to capture me totally in my element- pjs, hot, tea, curled up with a book surrounded by the joy of Christmas! That's my kind of good time! (not pictured, my two kids building an epic magnatile tower on the floor!)

I have been thinking back on all the books I've read this year (many of which I never got around to even sharing yet, gah!)

After careful thought, I've decided to share the titles that were the most impactful and/or enjoyable to read!

• Every Woman a Theologian - it's probably no surprise to anyone by now that Phylicia Masonheimer is one of my favorite Bible teachers to learn from. She is a huge role-model for me. She describes herself as a "teacher writer" and I have always appreciated her easy to understand, yet theologically rich approach to sharing. If you've ever desired to learn more about the Christian faith, and the various denominational traditions within it, this would be a great book to start with. You'll get a broad introduction to different doctrines & ideas, theological terms, and historical overviews in a very ecumenical way. No fuss, no polarization, just gospel truth and encouragement to dig in to learn what you believe, why you believe it, and how to communicate it graciously to the world around you. I would recommend any of her books to your reading list!

• Searching for Sunday - I know, I know...a Rachel Held Evans book.

But hey, I found her questions deeply refreshing and in no way threatening to my faith to simply read and reason with her. I think her questions are necessary in the church. I may not arrive at the same conclusions she did about everything, but I deeply admire her and wish she was still earthside to converse with. Her book left me even hungrier for orthodoxy.

• Running into Water - It''s not everyday you personally know one of your favorite authors but I am privileged to know Angela Blycker and get to regularly glean wisdom and encouragement from her, even if it is from afar. Angela's book radically impacted my womanhood and mothering and her

book would be the perfect new years gift to yourself, or any other mamas you know!