Tag: books of 2023

Books of 2024. In the last year, I read almost half as many books as I usually do. As I consider why, I can see that I was too overcommitted, and for relaxing I turned to stories via the animated screen rather than the book. My-one-word for the year was “reset,” but it seems I didn’t live into that word enough.

I continue to enjoy audiobooks, although I can’t seem to retain the content of deep non-fiction books through listening, so I tend to leave audiobooks for novels and memoirs. I especially appreciate memoirs narrated by the author, and books narrated by wonderful actors such as Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks (two by Ann Patchett, for instance).

This year I give you a memoir by a contemporary Christian writer, some deep but accessible theology, a modern classic novel, and two fun novels.

A Compelling Memoir

It Wasn’t Roaring, It Was Weeping by Lisa-Jo Baker

What a book! In this memoir Lisa-Jo weaves together her life on two continents – her native South African and her adopted United States – with depth, yearning, pain, learning and ultimately love. A central part of her story is the early death of her mother coupled with the way her father parented her. She’s unstinting in her descriptions of the pain of that relationship, but she also shares their redemptive journey, which will give hope to any reader who has suffered from painful parental relationships. There is hope of healing.

I loved how she wove in the various native languages into her prose, which shines with truth, beauty, and meaning. This book is a labor of love, with the craftsmanship evident in the writing. A deserving 5 stars.

Deep but Accessible Theology

A Crazy, Holy Grace The Healing Power of Pain and Memory by Frederick Buechner

I so so appreciated listening to this series of essays, some more powerful than others. The ones on grace and pain and suffering and God’s love I will listen to again while jotting down notes – this is my bane as a visual, not auditory, learner! I was captured by one of his stories about his eldest daughter suffering from an illness that nearly killed her, and how he receive an unexpected visit from a friend who flew more than eight hundred miles in the hopes of finding find him at home. Frederick was indeed home, and their time together was transformative. An example of embodied love. As Frederick reflected later, “I was moved to the very soles of my feet by that experience, and so was he…” It was “a blessed event, a holy event.”

A Modern Classic Novel

The Blessing by Nancy Mitford

A novel by Nancy Mitford that I hadn’t read before… I picked up a used copy at one of the Tattered Cover bookstores in Colorado (not THE one in Denver, but still, a fun experience) and it felt right to read it after we left Paris and landed in the south of France (as it’s set in both locales and in England).

It’s very Nancy Mitford, which is of course what I wanted, but that means it’s a product of its time and I wasn’t going to judge it on modern standards. Full of fun and quips and characters I was rooting for. A perfect holiday read.

Two Fun Novels

Tom Lake by Ann Patchell

Oh I enjoyed listening to this novel, narrated by Meryl Streep. She brought such life and joy to the story. Having holidayed in Michigan in recent years, I enjoyed picturing the cherry trees and the family who was harvesting them during the pandemic, forced together in a time of social distancing.

The story is a looking back by the mother as she recalls her acting career and what brought her to Michigan and the life of a cherry farmer. Her love for her husband and their three grown daughters is evident. Fully enjoyable. I didn’t want it to end.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

I was excited for this follow up to her first novel with Molly the Maid, who loves working at the posh hotel after her grandmother died, and who solved a mystery killing. This one was another light mystery that she solved in her inimitable way. Fully enjoyable listen.

Please read and buy my books! And if you do, please write a review on Goodreads or Amazon or some other online source. And please support your books-and mortar bookstore. They are havens of fabulousness that won’t survive if we only buy online.

Books of 2023. Of the making of books there is no end! And I wouldn’t have it any other way, although after launching seven books/resources over the past years, I’m taking a wee break. I’d love for you to read the books I’ve published and endorsed in 2023 – a baker’s dozen plus one! Also, don’t miss my favorite reads of 2023.

May 2023

Transforming Love: How Friendship with Jesus Changes Us

My heartfelt plea to find intimacy in friendship with Jesus, as modeled through the friendships of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the gospels. A fresh look at these stories, which includes prayer practices to help you encounter our living, loving God. How to buy and a sneak peak at the introduction and first chapter.

From Sheridan Voysey’s foreword:

“With imaginative exploration of these biblical stories and sensitivity to overlooked cultural details, Amy teases out this unique relationship and the transformative effect it has on Mary, Martha and Lazarus…. Combined with Amy’s guiding prayers and creative spiritual practices, the result is a rich, graceful exploration of how Jesus befriends and changes us.”

November 2023

Holding onto Hope: 40 Days of God’s Encouragement through Art and Reflections

We all need our stores of hope renewed, especially in these wearying times. That’s why my dad and I have collaborated on our second project with his art and my reflections, this time on the theme of hope. Engage with biblical images of hope through word and image – trees clapping their hands, streams in the desert – as God fills you with hope in him. How to buy and sample the introduction and first chapter.

About it, popular author Sharon Garlough Brown said:

“In this beautiful pairing of words and art, Amy Boucher Pye and her father, Leo Boucher, invite us into a journey of hope by meditating on the steadfast faithfulness of a kind and trustworthy God. Amy’s insightful reflections on Scripture and poignant prayers bring the Word to life, while Leo’s gentle paintings provide visual opportunities to savour the goodness of God’s care for us. In a time when so many are weary and heavy-laden, Holding onto Hope bids us to come, rest, and be renewed in the Lord’s love.”

Following are the 12 books I endorsed in 2023, some of which came out last year and some of which will appear this year. I stand behind my words and hope you will pick them up.

January 2023

The God Who Sees You by Georgie Tennant

Join Georgie Tennant as she gracefully digs into Scripture and reveals the God who sees us and loves us. Bringing to life stories and key passages from the Old Testament and the New, she leads us in a thirty-day journey to the heart of God. With her as a guide we find ourselves encouraged and strengthened in our faith in God.

April 2023

Why Less Means More by Cathy Madavan

Could less really entail more? Cathy Madavan says yes, having experienced a season of winnowing over several years. She invites us to consider ten principles to choose less of what we don’t need in favour of more of what we desire. She’s encouraging and real, sharing from her failures and triumphs, while welcoming us to embrace the life we long for. We can have more by embracing less – more margin and rhythm, more relationships and joy, more significance and space. Don’t miss her authentic, compelling and freeing wisdom for winning at life. I loved it!

June 2023

Valuable: Why Your Worth Is Not Defined By How Useful You Feel by Liz Carter

A gentle and fierce call to eschew the falsehood that our worth depends on our usefulness. Liz writes with clarity, compassion and authenticity in words that will empower everyone, from those seen as ‘useful’ or broken, or anywhere in between.

September 2023

Knowing You, Jesus: 365 Devotional by Tony Horsfall, Mags Duggan et al

What a brilliant way to get to know Jesus better – spending time each day with his stories and teachings. With depth and insight, Tony Horsfall and crew lead us through a chronological account of the gospels to help us to understand and love Jesus more. Encouraging, powerful, transformative – don’t miss this life-changing devotional that enlarges our love for Jesus and helps us become more like him.

Waiting for Jedidiah: How to Experience Healing after a Miscarriage by Betty Ringeisen

Betty Ringeisen knows the pain of miscarriage. She’s also experienced the refreshing and renewing love of the Father. She welcomes those of us who have suffered this particular pain into a strong relationship with the One who knows and loves us and our babies. Read her book and find hope, peace, and healing.

October 2023

To the Ocean Floor by Kate Nicholas

A gripping account of Kate’s latest experience with cancer – how and why does someone manage to contract three different types of this mutating disease? With powerful writing, she describes the indescribable: the numinous; the Creator; the indwelling Christ; her loving God. Her poetic sharing of her experience on the ocean floor led me to wonder and awe. A memoir to ponder and consider; one to read while receiving from Kate’s deep sharing of herself and her journey while joining her in praise to the unknowable God who makes himself known.

November 2023

Winter Lights by Deborah Jenkins

Sink into this comforting and enjoyable collection of stories that will help you to relax and to hope. Unwrap them without fearing that you’ll encounter one that you won’t like, such as with a box of chocolates. Delightful.

January 2024

The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs by Sharon Mondragon

A novel that takes us beyond the meet-cute, showing us what tried and tested love looks like. I didn’t know that I’d so love and savor this story about the knitting adventures of septuagenarians and octogenarians! As the Woolgatherers create prayer shawls for the caregivers of loved ones with memory loss, they don’t realize that they too are on a journey of discovery with God. They receive and give God’s loving embrace as they respond to nudges of grace, one stitch at a time. Read, savor, and make a list of people you could bless with this enriching story; I loved it!

March 2024

Notes on Feminism by Lauren Windle

Funny, controversial, grace-filled, gritty, thought provoking. . . Notes on Feminism is all this and more. Lauren curates the open conversation that you’ll want to join, so read it and share how you agree, disagree, and all the in betweens.

April 2024

Peace through Prayer by James Banks

Reading Peace through Prayer feels like receiving an encircling hug from a safe and caring pastor—one who shares with you the life-changing, unconditional love of Jesus. Profound but accessible, this exploration into the gift of peace is one I recommend wholeheartedly.

May 2024

Shaped by the Spirit by Kate Pocklington

Kate invites us to pause and ponder, examining how God shapes us—not as a navel-gazing exercise, but one that helps us be outward-focused as we share God’s love with others. Her intertwining of various strands weaves together a Spirit-breathed creation that will challenge and inspire. I pray the Spirit uses her words as he shapes and forms you!

September 2024

Dwell: Inviting God’s Word to make a home in our lives, one verse at a time by Anne LeTissier

This book could change your life. Really. As week by week Anne LeTissier helps us to dive deeply into God’s life-giving words in Scripture, God will meet us and change us to be more like Jesus. Without reservation I recommend that you accept her gentle invitation, backed up by her embodied example, to dwell in God’s word. From a hesitant star giver, five stars.

Books of 2023. Here are six of my favorite reads of the 42 I read last year… One children’s book; two memoirs; one general non-fiction; one novel; one focused on spirituality. Later I’ll post the 12 books I endorsed in 2023, and here are previous years’ reads.

I’m thought I had read fewer books in 2023 than previously, but I see from my 2022 round up, I’m up by seven when comparing those two years. Still, I hope to read more in 2024, and especially some of the theology books that have been piling up.

I continue to enjoy audiobooks, not for non-fiction (my learning style means that I can’t remember what I hear) but for novels. I’m currently listening to Meryl Streep narrate Tom Lake, which is an absolute delight on both accounts. Of the top six picks I’ve just noticed that I listened to five of them! For one I bought a print copy of and another of those five I may yet buy in print too.

Onto the books…

A Beloved Children’s Story

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

What could be better than the old favorite of a spider and a pig, especially when narrated by the author himself? I’d read this novel as a child and seen the movie (which White said wasn’t as bad as he feared) but found much to marvel over when listening. Namely I loved how Charlotte exhibits sacrificial love and how she shines a light on Wilbur, giving all of herself for him while not seeking any of the acclaim. She did her good acts in secret.

I loved the characterization of the animals with all of their unique personalities. And yes, Templeton the rat steals the show when he appears in his dislikable glory. I’ll listen to this again.

Last memorable lines:

Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.

Two Memoirs

All my Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore

I’ve followed Beth Moore on X/Twitter, and I find her bravery and love for Jesus compelling. I was excited to listen to her memoir, especially to hear her share her story in her lovely Southern accent. It felt like a friend was taking me through the events of her life, so engagingly does she tell her stories. I was at times cheering her on and other times weeping for the atrocities and hardships she’s endured.

I highly recommend this snapshot into one of the best-known white evangelical women of our time. Her love for Jesus and the Bible shines through, and the stories of what she’s been through give me more respect for her. I loved this book.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

I so enjoyed listening to this autobiography, narrated by the author. Yes, parts of it are eerie now, after his death, and it was strange listening to this well-known voice knowing that he’s no longer with us. There are a lot of f-bombs and others, so be warned if that’s not your thing. And yes, he never speaks of Jesus, as someone said to me, but I was moved by his accounts of God filling his kitchen as bright light, and how through that one lone encounter he was able to be clean for 2 years.

I recommend this one for a thought-provoking listen. I learned a lot about addiction – the big terrible thing he mentions in the title.

A Compelling Non-Fiction Read

The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond

I have recommended this book so many times, and this is the one I listened to and then bought a print version of. It’s a fascinating look at the top ten ways people find rest. I was delighted to learn that number one is reading a book! The author does a good job of not only present the results of The Rest Test (the research she was part of conducting) but delving into the studies on each of the top ten ways people rest (the ten form the chapters of the book). She brings the social science results but in an approachable way.

Why do we need to rest? How can we be MORE productive when we do rest? Lots to ponder here, especially for a 3 on the Enneagram (someone who likes to achieve).

A Top Novel

For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain by Victoria MacKenzie

A lovely imagining of the lives of two medieval women, Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich. I loved this novel of their backstory and meeting, reading it far too fast. I’ll read it again. I received it as a special gift from a friend who also loved reading it.

Julian was compelling, and I so enjoyed how the author brought out what could have been her struggles when she first settled into life in her cell – all that she gave up to be there. Margery was much less compelling, but that’s probably true to life, and made the story believable.

Because I had this characterization of Julian in my imagination, I found I’ve not been able to shift to Claire Gilbert’s in I, Julian – even though I went to the book launch for it! Hopefully in 2024 I can read it.

Memorable mention. . . Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

A Spiritual-Formation Winner

When the Soul Listens by Jan Johnson

A wonderful exploration of what the author calls contemplative prayer, with her definition being more broad-ranging and inclusive than I might make. I loved how she weaves her stories of God changing her to be more like Jesus through her slow but steady noticing of, and welcoming, his presence in her life. I’m very familiar with the concepts that she writes about but thought she does so in a fresh, inviting way.

My only sadness is that I listened to this book and therefore am considering getting a print version, not least for the prayer exercises at the end of each chapter.