My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2023
Here are my favorite 10 books that I read this year per category (in no particular order).
1. Category: MEMOIR
Uncultured: A Memoir
by Daniella Mestyanek Young
Young writes of her experience in the religious cult “The Children of God.” Her stories are harrowing of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. But at fifteen years old, she walked away. Her story continues through her years in the Army. I hate that her stories are true, but we need to hear them and bear witness.
Other favorite memoirs: Spare by Prince Harry and All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore.
2. Category: STRESS MANAGEMENT
The Science of Stuck
Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward
by Britt Frank
We all get stuck sometimes in life, whether it be in an unhealthy relationship or a boring job or just a bad habit. This book is a fascinating (and very organized!) look at the science behind what keeps us stuck, and what works best to break out of it. One takeaway for me is to identify the perks of staying stuck, one of the first steps toward change.
Another favorite in the Stress Management category: ACT Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Russ Harris.
3. Category: POLITICS
Why We’re Polarized
by Ezra Klein
We know the things we’re polarized about in America. But we do we know why? Ezra Klein will change the way you interpret politics. I didn’t feel more hopeful after reading this book, but I did feel more informed. Hopefully that counts as a move in the right direction. This is an excellent book with fascinating content, whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or could really care less.
4. Category: GRIEF
Soulbroken
A Guidebook for Your Journey Through Ambiguous Grief
by Stephanie Sarazin
Not all grief comes from someone dying. Ambiguous grief results from divorce, broken friendships, estrangements, infertility, dementia, etc. Yet our culture typically responds inappropriately or not at all to these losses. Sarazin Stephanie writes, “Grief is not a condition to cure; rather, it is a human condition to be honored.” I especially benefited by Stephanie’s differentiation between external hope and internal hope; one is harmful and one is helpful.
5. Category: DAILY READINGS
The Book of Awakening
Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have
by Mark Nepo
Every morning this year I would read the day’s short essay from Mark Nepo. It helped me get through the day a little better, a little brighter, a little more authentically. I will let this book lie fallow for 2024, but I will return to it again in some future year for my daily readings because it is worth repeating.
6. Category: COMMUNICATION/CONFLICT RESOLUTION
I Never Thought of It That Way
How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times
by Monica Guzmán
This is an excellent book on how to have better conversations with those we disagree with. Guzmán suggests starting with these three things:
- Stop sorting each other (getting together in our own little groups)
- Stop othering each other (pushing against groups that seem opposed to us)
- Stop siloing from each other (sinking so deep into our own groups that we can’t bear to hear anything else).
Another favorite in the communication/conflict resolution category: The Art of Nonviolent Communication: Turning Conflict into Connection by Micah Salaberrios.
7. Category: RELATIONSHIPS
I Didn’t Sign Up for This
A Couples Therapist Shares Real-Life Stories of Breaking Patterns and Finding Joy in Relationships, Including Her Own
by Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
This book by couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgelish enlightens us not only on how she does therapy with her clients, but also how she needs to apply the principles in her own marriage. Dr. Tracy brilliantly guides us back and forth between the stories of four couples in her therapy practice and her own story of problems with her husband. If you’d like a true behind-the-scenes look at therapy—plus get advice for your own partnership—I highly recommend this book.
Another favorite relationship book: Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness by Fred Luskin.
8. Category: INEQUITY
Poverty, by America
by Matthew Desmond
Data shows that despite the United States being one of the richest countries on earth, we also have more poverty than equally democratic countries. Sociologist Matthew Desmond dives into why. In this book he both lays out the problems but also provides some imaginative solutions. There are no easy fixes. But we can do much better to alleviate poverty versus perpetuate it.
Another favorite book on inequity: My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church by Amy Kenny.
9. Category: SOCIAL ISSUES
American Idolatry
How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church
by Andrew L. Whitehead
In this book, Whitehead explains everything you want to know (and even things you’d rather not know) about Christian nationalism. He makes the case that the greatest threat to Christianity in the US may be coming from within. Maybe you agree with Whitehead. Maybe you don’t. But in American Idolatry you’ll likely appreciate how he lays out his premises that Christianity should at least reflect Christ.
Another favorite book on social issues: Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe.
10. Category: FICTION
Big Lies in a Small Town
by Diane Chamberlain
This is an excellent murder mystery novel about a 22-year-old artist in 2018 serving a prison sentence until she’s freed to restore an old post office mural in a North Carolina town. The story flips back and forth between 2018 and 1940 when the mural was originally painted.
More favorite fiction: The Measure by Nikki Erlick, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera, and Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.
What’s a book that made your Top 10 list for 2023? Share in the comments.
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- My 20 Favorite Books of 2022—10 Fiction + 10 Nonfiction Books
- The 10 Best Books of 2021 (According to Me)
- Rate Your One Word 2023 on a Scale of 1-5
- Share Four Somethings—December 2023
Lisa, you read so many good books! Many healing threads here, along with hard looks at situations that seem insoluble, but at least facing them with awareness is better than denial and may in time lead to a way forward.
I particularly want to read “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” but my e-library doesn’t have it. Hopefully it will be acquired at some point. The title makes me laugh as it’s what I ended up feeling about my own marriage … I’m not sure we ever know what we are getting into, when we make that commitment! Thankfully, with us the problems could be worked through, but I sympathize with anyone who’s having difficulties in marriage, and am thankful for the counselors who are trying to help. It’s really challenging.
I think most of us could agree with you that we didn’t fully know what we were getting into when we got married. lol. Or any kind of relationship that involves human beings. ha. (And our spouses would say the same!) We’re such an unpredictable lot! Thanks again for leading the memoir challenge this year. It prompted me to read some really great books that I might not have read otherwise.
Hi, Lisa – Thank you for sharing your top selection of books that you have read this year. I greatly appreciate your recommendations. Hands down, my favourite book read this year (although it was published in 1939) was Grapes of Wrath. My favourite book read that was published this year was Philly Barker is on the Case by Joanne Tracey.
Oh, how interesting to hear Grapes of Wrath is your favorite. Thanks for sharing that. I have to admit I’ve never even read it! Maybe one day I will. 🙂
What a wonderful list you’ve shared here, Lisa. I don’t really have one book I’ve read that stands out to me; so many were impressive. Hope 2024 is another productive year of reading!
Blessings!
Thanks, Martha. I already have a few great books lined up to read in January. Never a shortage of good books!
Looks like you’ve had a very good year, Lisa.
Best wishes for 2024!
Yes, it was a very productive year of reading. I look forward to what will come out in 2024. 🙂 Happy new year, Harry!
It sounds like you had a great reading year; that memoir sounds incredible and so heart wrenching.
Uncultured was very heart-wrenching indeed. I’m so glad that Daniella was able to escape the cult and overcome her trauma enough to lead a fulfilling life. It’s such a crazy story.
I enjoyed reading about your recommendations, Lisa! So many of these sound good. I think the only one I’ve read is the Diane Chamberlain one, which I also enjoyed. I have just shared a top ten list on my blog, but my most recent recommendation is Practicing The Way by John Mark Comer.
I’ll have to catch the list on your blog soon, Lesley! I love seeing what everyone is reading and finds enjoyable. I read John Mark Comer’s book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” a couple years ago and got a lot out of it.
Dear Lisa … you are so well read, always giving us a wide range of subjects and authors. I always arrive here expectant and leave enriched and nudged to break out of my tried and true favorite genres. Thanks for the way you pour into our lives.
Looking forward to heading into another year together. Grateful for you, girl …
ox
I love reading your book lists too, Linda. I always get some new titles to add to my own list. Thankful for you too, friend!
I read Uncultured too. It’s a disturbing insight. You’ve got a broad range, which is always good! #WeekendCoffeeShare
Agreed; Uncultured was very disturbing. The redeeming factor was hearing that she was able to escape such horrible conditions. It’s hard to even imagine what it was like.
Hi Lisa, I’ve not read or heard of any of your top 10 books but I know that some will fit nicely into prompts for the 52 Book Club Challenge. Thank you for sharing and supporting #WBOYC during the year and I look forward to continuing our connection in 2024. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Sue. I haven’t decided on which, if any, book challenges I’ll do in 2024, but they always help me expand my choices when I choose some! Good luck with your 52 Book Club Challenge.
This is an interesting collection of books. I haven’t read any so thanks for the recommendations. My top book for 23 was The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley. It’s historical fiction/family saga
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Happy New Year, looks like a good variety of books to read.
What a great list … I’m dreading putting my own best books of 2023 list together … I’ve read so many great books this year. Thanks for linking up and happy new year.
Happy new year! Nice list. I Never Thought of It That Way and Bigs Lies in a Small Town caught my eye.
Wishing you a new year filled with good books and blessings.
I can always count on you to broaden my horizons and enrich my reading life!
I enjoy when you share reviews and recommendations.
And I appreciate you sharing these with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
A really interesting book list, there are few there that I feel I need to put on my tbr pile.
I know I’ve said it before but I love how much nonfiction you read (but also glad a murder mystery made it onto the list). Once comment you made about how you hate to know that something is true but know you need to know about it – I get that. Thanks for linking up with us.
Hi Lisa, so many interesting books made your Top 10 list, and I’ve not read any of them! Thanks so much for sharing with us for #WOYBS and widening my knowledge off book available!
I’m excited to join the WOYB party. My making my way around to see what everyone else is reading. Some of those books sound interesting. I read a book that was called A language of healing for a polarized nation that was so interesting.
You are a lot of non fiction on a wide variety of topics. I read the odd non fiction. I am sure it makes you a well informed person.
I do not read many political type books. I think it is great that you are so widely read!