It’s the end of the year, and you know what that means!! Actually, you probably don’t. This is the one time of the year you can count on me writing a blog—my 2023 book updates! I made a goal this year to read 23 books (because last year my goal was 24 and I just couldn’t quite get to it).

In 2020 I read 12 books, in 2021and 2022 I read 23 books. This year I read…. (cue drum roll)… 29 books!!!!! Yahoo. Also, I am half way through two books so really maybe I hit thirty if you add those two together.

AND this year I’m getting Fancy. Bolded are some of my favorite reads. Books that have an asterisk are books I reread and books in italics are books that I listened to the audiobook version.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult

_{I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s writing. I really do, however each book she writes now I feel like she just takes some cultural hot topic and makes that the base of her book. Her writing is beautiful, I just thought that this book went into too many details where it didn’t need to, and I’m getting tired of reading about some of the topics she chooses to write her books about.} 3/5

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

_{I don’t totally remember this book, but I do remember thinking it was good. I do realize that that is terribly unhelpful for a blog about books, but that’s all I’ve got. I want to say I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed Mad Honey, so I’ll give it a 3.5/5}

_{Okay, so after re-reading the summary again, I remembered how much I liked this book. I change it to 4.5/5}

Ten Words to Live by by Jen Wilkin

_{I will read most anything by Jen Wilkin. This book was a quick read, short and simple. It talked about each of the ten commandments and why they are so important in our walk as Christians.}

World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

_{This book was good! I’m pretty sure it was the Barnes and Noble book of the year a few years ago, and I really enjoyed it. Each chapter she tells a little bit of her life story and relates it to either an animal or a plant. Alright, it wounds a little bit weird, but I promise it was good.}

The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines

_{Oof, I was disappointed by this good (I’m sorry Joanna, I really am). It was filled with too many stories, and not really any purpose. 2/5.}

The Fruitful Home by Ann Benton

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling*

_{FIVE STARS.}

Lolo’s Light by Liz Garton Scanlon

_{I grabbed this book out of the kids section at the library. It was about a kid who experienced the death of baby she was babysitting and I was really curious about how they would tell the story in a way that was written for adolescents. It was good. 3.5/5}

Foster by Claire Keegan

_{Whoops, I don’t remember this book at all.}

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

_{You know, I did really enjoy this book, I think. When the TV show came out on Netflix, Nathan asked me if I remembered the ending, and I really truly could not. Maybe its just because my brain sometimes feels like big bowl of oatmeal, or maybe its because the book really wasn’t as good as I remember it, who knows? 4/5}

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling*

Postnatal Depletion Cure by Oscar Serrallach

_{Good. If you have had a baby in the last five years (or ever really) or you think you might in the near future, I highly recommend this book. 5/5}

Playing Doctor by John Lawrence

_{I thought this book was hilarious. It’s his recount of his time spent in medical school. If you like humor and also enjoy reading about the medical field this is a good light-hearted read. He has two others, about residency and fellowship that I forgot I wanted to read until…well…now.}

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

_{Y’all know I love my memoirs about people that grew up in fundamental mormonism. I don’t know why, but I find these books so interesting.}

Different by Sally Clarkson

_{Oh, this book was a delight to read. This book is co written with her son, and it made me feel less alone in mothering. 5/5. GREAT read.}

“We have to learn to lean into life as something beautiful even if it is not exactly what we expected. Trusting that God works all things together for the good despite the challenges we face is a gift of worship we give to God. Acceptance with humility must eventually come to each of us if we are to please God and not always fight against the limitations of our own family pattern.”

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

_{Loved this book. I really enjoy this author and so far for the books I’ve read by her, she gets five stars for both!}

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

_{I love listening to memoir audiobooks. This one was good. 5/5.}

Off the Deep End by Giancarlo Granda

_{Oh, this one was interesting. In reading it, I do think you have to remember that this is solely one side of the story, so it seems a little biased, but it was incredibly interesting (& terribly heartbreaking) to read.}

All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien

_{Another book that was entertaining to read, but I don’t really remember much about it.}

Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins & Steve Wright w/ Leslee Bennett

_{Good. It was super quick & simple read . If you want to feel more comfortable sharing the gospel with those you work with/spend time with it’s a great read.}

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

_{I enjoyed this book, but not enough to read the sequels. Ha, maybe next year.}

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

_{Ooooh, this was a spooky book. I don’t remember much about it though, so I give it a 3/5}

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis*

_{I read this book with my sweet Hezzy boy and it was his first real chapter book. He enjoyed it, I enjoyed it. ‘Twas a good time. 4/5}

Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo

_{I read this book because I could get the audiobook for free, and I enjoyed it surprisingly more than I thought I would. 4/5.}

Happy Place by Emily Henry

_{Funny, cute book. Nothing amazing though. 3/5}

Verity by Colleen Hoover

_{I did not enjoy this book. Colleen Hoover has so much hype behind her and so I figured I would read one. The plot was eerie and I enjoyed the mystery and thrill of it, but did not enjoy some of the graphic details of the relationships. I will probably not read anymore of her books. 4/5 for the plot, 2/5 for the sexually explicit details lol.}

Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson

_{I also did not enjoy this book. I wanted to, I really wanted too, but I did not. I thought the concept and idea was good, but I thought the author threw in too many analogies and side stories. She made it feel like you cannot truly be humble unless you are an avid gardener and homesteader and that just didn’t sit well.}

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

_{I had a friend recommend this book, and I am so grateful she did. It was a fantastic read. 5/5 stars.}

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar

When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper

_{This is one of the ones I’m halfway through. It’s a slow read, but is packed with wonderful wisdom. 4/5 (so far—will upate next year, ha!)}

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman*

_{Read this one for the first time in 2019, I think, and now I’m in the middle of reading it again. I love this book, it is funny and sad and I recommend to all. 5/5.}

Alrighty, so that’s it. My 2023 books. Here’s what I’ve learned about my reading habits this year:

-It’s fun to read a lot of books, but my memory is also pretty poorly, so there are quite a few books that I don’t remember much of. Unsure if it would change if I read at a slower pace or not.

-My favorite place to read is in a comfy chair with a quilt and a warm cup of tea.

-I want to instill a deep love of reading in my children, and it’s fun that the older two are getting to a point where we can read some chapter books to them.

-I’m officially a Kindle girl. I thought I would hate it, but I actually have come to love it this year. Our local library has the Libby app and so I can download my books straight to the kindle. I love that I can also use the kindle app on my phone if I find a slow moment at work, or am waiting for an appointment. It’s also nice to read if Nathan wants to sleep, because the light it emits is not that bright. 5/5 for the kindle.

THANKS FOR STAYING AND READING THIS MUCH. If you have book recommendations, please share. If you want to borrow any of these books, please let me know. Here’s to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. May you find a warm, cozy chair to read in.