5-Star Reads from 2023

Books are my Roman Empire.

It only goes down from here you guys. I read Some Things in 2023, and by Some Things I mean more than ever before. And listen, no way in the world do I expect to go round two in 2024—absolutely 0% of me is planning to exceed 152. But what I will do is share the 5-star reads of those 152 because, well, dozens of you asked for a round-up + if I have a chance to point to good words, I’m gonna take it.

Before I say another word about the many good words, a permission slip:

My 2024 goal: 80 books. It’s my highest book count goal ever, but also, it’s about half of last year. If you read nothing else below, I hope that offers a bit of freedom. Take the self-imposed pressure off, friend. You don’t have to do more or ‘better’ in 2024 just to climb a ladder or hit a higher number (or lower, I’m looking at you diet ads filling all the January newsfeeds). Reading is a joy to me, a delight and a way that I rest/fill back up. It’s also part of my actual job, so it’s going to be part of my days no matter what. Set a reading goal that works for you—if setting a goal is what you want to do! It’s fun for me, but the pressure is off.

The 25 5-star books

25 out of 152 may not sound great right off the bat, but I don’t “hand out” 5 stars left and right nilly. (If every book is 5 stars, is any book actually 5 stars?)

49 of those 152 were 4-star reads to me, which means almost every other book was either 4 or 5—truly a year of good words!

For the sake of space, I’m only including a short blurb with each book—but I encourage you to click through and read the description/learn more!¹

P.s. At the very bottom you’ll see a note on the next book list + a poll + a“leave a comment button” where I hope you’ll share one of your own 5-star reads of the year. 📚

Devotional/Liturgy

Hope Your Heart Needs by Holley Gerth // Each short essay holds such weight. Practical, kind, thoughtful, and full of encouragement and truth, this is one you can return to again and again.

Liturgies for Wholeness by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore // Fresh, lovely and honest. I smiled. I cried. I bookmarked/highlighted 30 sections, which is saying a whole lot when there are 60 liturgies, and will reach for this for years to come.

The Book of Common Courage by K.J. Ramsey // An invitation to sit with and savor the words of Scripture—alongside prayers, moving poetry and beautiful photography—this book is both fierce and gentle, common in that it’s very approachable (especially with bite-size sections) and yet unlike anything I’ve come across before.

Our Faithful God Devotional by Katie Davis Majors // Not to repeat myself, but this too is unlike any devotional I’ve ever seen. Each week has four days of devotions with one chapter of Scripture + a very short reflection from Katie + reflection questions or a prompt from Katie, and the fifth day ties them all together. The key is that each day is from a different book of the Bible (week one: Genesis 1, Ezra 1, Matthew 1, Acts 1). Themes emerge each week, beautifully displaying the consistent character of God throughout no matter which book you're reading. Katie’s reflections are a great length, with substance (not surface-level, not full of cliches, not cheesy), but it's not all about her. I’m glad I read it.

Fiction

Go as a River by Shelley Read // I’m nearly at a loss as to what to say, but the word that comes to mind is simply beautiful. I turned the last page and just sat there for a while, moved by the telling of a debut novel unlike any I’ve read before.

Shades of Light and Feathers of Hope by Sharon Garlough Brown // First things first, you absolutely must read these in order. (For the full experience, start with the Sensible Shoes series so you recognize when familiar faces make an appearance in this “spin-off” series.) With themes of both sorrow and joy, light and darkness, deep pain and lasting hope, Brown explores the question of “if God doesn’t remove the affliction, where do we see Him keeping company with us in it?” If you or someone you love struggles with anxiety, depression, has experienced a great loss or is walking through grief, you’ll find in this beautiful series honest encouragement as you walk the path of being a “companion in sorrow.”

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer // Quirky. Unique. Somewhat predictable but still precious. I’m hoping hoping hoping that it’ll be adapted into a movie, though I’ll happily take a sequel.

Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes // Stunning. A powerful and lyrical story of home and hope. The setting itself is a character, and by the time you reach the final page, the book somehow feels like a friend. One of my all-time favorites, this is a re-read and it won’t be my last time to visit Ansel-by-the-Sea.

Memoir

Tell Me the Dream Again by Tasha Jun // A tapestry of stories. A love letter to her mother. A journey of holy curiosity. An invitation to embrace the voice you’ve been given and the belonging that is yours. (Do not miss the epilogue.)

All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore // Honest and honoring, humble and witty and wise. Hands down one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read.

Educated by Tara Westover // I may be one of the last to read this massive hit of a bestseller, but wowowow. I’m glad I finally moved it off my TBR list. Speaking to the power of education and the longing for home, this moving memoir will stay with you.

Nonfiction

A Confident Heart by Renee Swope // Authentic and so helpful, this one packs a punch. If you’re doubting your worth, doubting God’s promises, or want to flip the script on unhealthy thought patterns, pick this one up.

What Cannot Be Lost by Melissa Zaldivar // An honest, heartbreaking and hope-full story of loss, grief, and searching for what is true when everything is upside down and the rug has been pulled out from under your feet.

Invisible by Jennifer Rothschild // I read several of Jennifer’s backlist titles this year and Invisible was a favorite. As with all the others, truth is woven beautifully into stories that will stay with you. Somehow a book about identity read like a friend sitting down next to you to kindly call out lies and speak encouragement, while making you laugh along the way.

What If It’s Wonderful? by Nicole Zasowski // My copy is very well underlined, I’ll tell you that. Nicole doesn’t tie a tidy bow on pain or disappointment—instead, she gently offers a lens to look through that both acknowledges hurt and courageously cultivates joy in the middle of it all.

When a Friendship Falls Apart by Elizabeth Laing Thompson // Thoughtfully written, both honest and encouraging, challenging and comforting. Thompson has offered a kind, gentle, heartbreaking but hopeful gift to readers, and if I could give this book more than five stars, I would.

Safe All Along by Katie Davis Majors // Our day-to-day lives look very different, but this book is approachable, heartwarming, challenging, encouraging, and wise. If you struggle with worry or anxiety, this is one to add to your TBR list.

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer // I first read Life Together for an assignment in college. This year, while revisiting my marked up copy each Tuesday as my Bible Study slowly read through the chapters, I was struck again by how beautiful, how simple, how challenging, and how very needed this work is.

Fiercehearted by Holley Gerth // This is not a “how to” book; this is a “me too” book. (My copy is also an extremely underlined and highlighted book.) With vulnerability and honesty, Holley invites readers to join her as she learns what it looks like to live fully and love bravely. I think I’ve read it 6 times now, maybe 7, so yes—5 stars.

The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby // Needed. Eye-opening. Thoughtful. Thorough. Difficult to read but of great importance.

The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr // Thought provoking. Well-researched but approachable. A friend and I listened to the audiobook, discussed the chapters together, and each ended up getting a physical copy for the endnotes.

Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee // An invitation to move away from hurrying and embrace the small, Growing Slow is more about digging deep than dreaming big, more about resting well than chasing success, and more about savoring than striving. It’s a good one year-round, but particularly timely with “new year, new you!” messages.

Kingdom Come by Melissa Zaldivar // If you need a reminder God is with you in your ordinary, everyday life—that these days matter, too—then this is your next read.

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones // Absolutely stunning. The illustrations are exquisite and creative, but it's the words that will take your breath away. The children’s book that adults need, too. (FWIW the audiobook is a great listening experience.)

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Based on your messages and comments over the years, I’m 99% sure I know which will quickly slide into first place, but just for fun, of these categories . . .

YOUR TURN, and I would love to hear → What’s one book you loved in 2023, a new favorite that took you by surprise or that you can’t stop talking about?

I’m always looking for another good read! Let’s fill the comments with book recommendations so we can each go back and pick a new title or two throughout the year.

A note on the next book list, a thank-you for making it possible to keep writing here each month—

For many years now, I’ve shared a “books you don’t want to miss” list for January-April, May-August, and September-December. Each list features 15 or so new books releasing, and the next list is in the works! This one will be shared with All The Things paid subscribers as a thank-you for so kindly (and generously) making this writing space possible, keeping the metaphorical lights on in 2024 so I can continue sending both free and paid content every month.

You can upgrade your subscription at any time (even for just one month, if you only want the list, access to a particular print or Zoom call with an author, etc.) but I wanted to send all 25 here to everyone—LOTS of books to add to your TBR list, and hopefully enough to carry you through at least Q1 of this, the year of our Lord 2024! (Anyone else feel like they’re existing in the future when they say those numbers together? Time is weird.)

Happy reading!

1. Some links are Bookshop affiliate links. :)