My favourite book this year is, The End of Night by Paul Bogard. This non-fiction book unpacks our assumptions about darkness and artificial light and how cities around the world are taking away or dimming street lights so that we can more readily see the night sky and the stars. It is a compelling book about how access to dark skies affects our overall health. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_Night_(book)
Hi Linda, it seems we have similar tastes... I posted my favourite 6 from this year, and 3 of them were on your list, too! I'm adding Only the Beautiful to my TBR as it's the only one I haven't yet read... thanks so much! Stopping by from #graceandtruthlinkup
Great list though I don't read fiction very often.. I did read some in 2023 so will probably dive into a few in 2024 too. Fun to get lost in a story, isn't it?
A couple years ago, all my favorites were non-fiction! Interesting how things can shift from year to year depending on what titles grab our attention ... and how that attention subtly continues to morph and change.
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See (fascinating novel based on a Korean diving collective off the Island of Jeju in 1930s - 1940s and how friendship, hard work and a very different culture motivated life in this area.
The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore- (about 2 black males with the same name who had different outcomes in life BUT they had the same name and same upbringing).
I rarely read nonfiction. It makes me feel I cannot measure up to others view of things. Like Bill, been reading a lot on LGBTQ movement to understand better what that brings to our communities and churches.
Hey girl! I always lean forward a bit when you share what you've been reading. I can't begin to count all the books you've suggested that have impacted me big time. Fascinating about how non-fiction leaves you feeling like you can't measure up. I'd love to hear more ...
I never really sleep any more, Linda, owing to the bone metastasis pain. Just a kind of twilight half-doze, maintaining continuity from one day to the next.
Good list, Linda! I also enjoyed Homecoming and Beth Moore's memoir very much. As I look at the other books on my own list from 2023, I see a lot of fiction that I loved. Not nearly as much non-fiction this year, and quite a few titles that I really labored to get through. Not sure why that was, but it was. One non-fiction book that I DID enjoy was "Hope is the First Dose" by Dr. Lee Warren.
The same is true here re: more fiction than non. That isn't always the case. It wasn't the best of reading years for some reason ... I am pretty quick to put down a book if it hasn't captured me by 50 pages. Here's to a more fulfilling reading year in 2024.
I have to say at the outset, Linda, that I read with the prayer that I will be prepared if asked but also in preparation for the possibility of a sermon series in the future. With that being said, I offer my list. I realize many will not agree with me or like it, but... :)
"Memorable Loss" by Karen Martin. A memoir of sorts of a friend as she dealt with her dementia moving into Alzheimer's. I reviewed it on my Cycleguy's Spin blog. Very appropriate since my sister-in-law had that disease.
"Correct, not Politically Correct" by Frank Turek.. About same-sex Marriage and Transgenderism
"Transgender to Transformed" by Laura Perry Smalts (she transitioned to male and then de-transitioned after coming to Christ. Sad but good book.
"Does God Care about Gender Identity?" by Sam Ferguson. Short but helpful, especially for pastors & those who deal with this or have questions.
"Hijacking Jesus" by Jason Jiminez. How Progressive Christians are remaking Jesus
"Don't Follow Your Heart" by Thaddeus Williams. Getting rid of self-worship
"No Reason to Hide" by Erwin Lutzer. Challenges the follower of Jesus to be complicit, complacent or courageous in our current culture.
"Counterfeit Kingdom" by Pivec and Geivett. Exposes the heresy of the New Apostolic Reformation (Bethel and others). Loaded with facts, truth and Bible
"Fractured Faith" by Lina Abujamra. Lina is a Lebanese-American who was the victim of James MacDonald's attacks. She talks about almost losing her faith and how it was restored.
"Misled" by Allen Parr. 7 Lies that distort the Gospel (and how you can discern the truth).
"The Roar Within" and "Into the Wilds" by Brent Alan Henderson. Books for Christian men to be God's man.
I read more but I know this list is long already. I apologize for that. One more...totally different: I recommend Greg Laurie's Christmas devotion book "Heaven's Light Breaking." I read it in November to help me prepare for Christmas.
Bill, thanks for taking the time to pull together such a hefty, thought-provoking list. I know that more than a few of us are going to take notes and add some titles to our 2024 TBR pile. So what if it's already tottering over?
Amber, I enjoyed sitting with your list ... I left feeling challenged and energized. You've enlarged my borders ... SO MANY books, so little time, right?
I'm already appreciating what you're bringing to the table. So glad we've met ...
Thanks Linda! Definitely sooooo many books. I'm working through how to prioritize my reading for the new year. All these good book lists, I gotta narrow it down :)
I hopped right over to your review, Cindy. You're right, Beth's voice shines through her words. I'm guessing the audio book is incredibly powerful. Yikes.
I literally just clicked over to read this after reading another blogger's top 3 books of the year and she too listed Only the Beautiful. I'm definitely going to have to check that one out!
I LOVED All My Knotted Up Life!
Oh I hear ya'. It'll be hard to top this one, for sure ...
I loved Moore's memoir and Homecoming and am looking forward to looking into the other titles you mentioned!
Enjoy, Abigail! Can't wait to hear what you think ...
These sound great. I've had the one by Beth Moore on my list.
Thanks bunches for sharing these recommendations with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
I'm seeing Knotted Up Life on a number of 2023 lists. No surprise!
My favourite book this year is, The End of Night by Paul Bogard. This non-fiction book unpacks our assumptions about darkness and artificial light and how cities around the world are taking away or dimming street lights so that we can more readily see the night sky and the stars. It is a compelling book about how access to dark skies affects our overall health. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_Night_(book)
Kate this sounds fascinating. Now that we live in an area with very little/if any light at night, I've learned how true this is.
Thanks for the great book reviews! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, too, Amy.
Hi Linda, it seems we have similar tastes... I posted my favourite 6 from this year, and 3 of them were on your list, too! I'm adding Only the Beautiful to my TBR as it's the only one I haven't yet read... thanks so much! Stopping by from #graceandtruthlinkup
Oh I love when that happens, Laura. Kindred souls for sure. I'll drop by to enjoy your reviews.
Great list though I don't read fiction very often.. I did read some in 2023 so will probably dive into a few in 2024 too. Fun to get lost in a story, isn't it?
A couple years ago, all my favorites were non-fiction! Interesting how things can shift from year to year depending on what titles grab our attention ... and how that attention subtly continues to morph and change.
Two faves this year:
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See (fascinating novel based on a Korean diving collective off the Island of Jeju in 1930s - 1940s and how friendship, hard work and a very different culture motivated life in this area.
The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore- (about 2 black males with the same name who had different outcomes in life BUT they had the same name and same upbringing).
I rarely read nonfiction. It makes me feel I cannot measure up to others view of things. Like Bill, been reading a lot on LGBTQ movement to understand better what that brings to our communities and churches.
Hey girl! I always lean forward a bit when you share what you've been reading. I can't begin to count all the books you've suggested that have impacted me big time. Fascinating about how non-fiction leaves you feeling like you can't measure up. I'd love to hear more ...
ox
I never really sleep any more, Linda, owing to the bone metastasis pain. Just a kind of twilight half-doze, maintaining continuity from one day to the next.
It's not a bad thing. Just different.
I think I hear you.
It is now so hard to read,
and harder still to write,
which I guess is why I need
to do this stuff at night
when the house is kinda quiet
and it hurts too much to sleep,
so I suppose I oughta try it,
for either sure beats counting sheep.
I don't mourn what has now passed,
all those literary joys
which went by, perhaps too fast,
but maybe it's how God employs
the imposition of a lack
to let me know He has my back.
So ... how can you be a night owl AND an early riser? It's still o'dark thirty out where you are ...
Good list, Linda! I also enjoyed Homecoming and Beth Moore's memoir very much. As I look at the other books on my own list from 2023, I see a lot of fiction that I loved. Not nearly as much non-fiction this year, and quite a few titles that I really labored to get through. Not sure why that was, but it was. One non-fiction book that I DID enjoy was "Hope is the First Dose" by Dr. Lee Warren.
The same is true here re: more fiction than non. That isn't always the case. It wasn't the best of reading years for some reason ... I am pretty quick to put down a book if it hasn't captured me by 50 pages. Here's to a more fulfilling reading year in 2024.
Thanks for the high compliment Linda.
I have to say at the outset, Linda, that I read with the prayer that I will be prepared if asked but also in preparation for the possibility of a sermon series in the future. With that being said, I offer my list. I realize many will not agree with me or like it, but... :)
"Memorable Loss" by Karen Martin. A memoir of sorts of a friend as she dealt with her dementia moving into Alzheimer's. I reviewed it on my Cycleguy's Spin blog. Very appropriate since my sister-in-law had that disease.
"Correct, not Politically Correct" by Frank Turek.. About same-sex Marriage and Transgenderism
"Transgender to Transformed" by Laura Perry Smalts (she transitioned to male and then de-transitioned after coming to Christ. Sad but good book.
"Does God Care about Gender Identity?" by Sam Ferguson. Short but helpful, especially for pastors & those who deal with this or have questions.
"Hijacking Jesus" by Jason Jiminez. How Progressive Christians are remaking Jesus
"Don't Follow Your Heart" by Thaddeus Williams. Getting rid of self-worship
"No Reason to Hide" by Erwin Lutzer. Challenges the follower of Jesus to be complicit, complacent or courageous in our current culture.
"Counterfeit Kingdom" by Pivec and Geivett. Exposes the heresy of the New Apostolic Reformation (Bethel and others). Loaded with facts, truth and Bible
"Fractured Faith" by Lina Abujamra. Lina is a Lebanese-American who was the victim of James MacDonald's attacks. She talks about almost losing her faith and how it was restored.
"Misled" by Allen Parr. 7 Lies that distort the Gospel (and how you can discern the truth).
"The Roar Within" and "Into the Wilds" by Brent Alan Henderson. Books for Christian men to be God's man.
I read more but I know this list is long already. I apologize for that. One more...totally different: I recommend Greg Laurie's Christmas devotion book "Heaven's Light Breaking." I read it in November to help me prepare for Christmas.
Bill, thanks for taking the time to pull together such a hefty, thought-provoking list. I know that more than a few of us are going to take notes and add some titles to our 2024 TBR pile. So what if it's already tottering over?
Bless you. I appreciate your ministry, friend.
Enjoyed this list! Beth Moore's has come up in a few lists this year (it's on my TBR) as well as the Secret Book of Flora Lee!
My "best of" list is here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/best-books-from-my-shelf-in-2023
Amber, I enjoyed sitting with your list ... I left feeling challenged and energized. You've enlarged my borders ... SO MANY books, so little time, right?
I'm already appreciating what you're bringing to the table. So glad we've met ...
Thanks Linda! Definitely sooooo many books. I'm working through how to prioritize my reading for the new year. All these good book lists, I gotta narrow it down :)
I also loved Beth Moore's book. Here is a link to my review: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2023/05/all-my-knotted-up-life.html
Enjoyed your review Cindy!
Thank you!!
I hopped right over to your review, Cindy. You're right, Beth's voice shines through her words. I'm guessing the audio book is incredibly powerful. Yikes.
I literally just clicked over to read this after reading another blogger's top 3 books of the year and she too listed Only the Beautiful. I'm definitely going to have to check that one out!
I'm smiling ...