I was deeply moved by two particular books I read this year, both in the memoir category: that of Viola Davis and Kerry Washington. Wow! As we close out 2023, I’m also rereading your book, The Next Right Thing, enjoying it even more than the first time I read it. I look forward to your newest book for 2024, which I’ve already pre-ordered. Thank you Emily.
You’ll love it! I think for me, there were more surprises in Kerry’s story because I had come to see her as such a strong, independent woman on TV and in movies that it never occurred to me she came from a slightly dysfunctional family and had struggled to find her true self. Although I’ve respected her work for years, reading her memoir was the way to connect with her and respect her more deeply as a human being. I’m glad you liked it too!
i loved way too many books, but one i think relevant to us here - When We Belong: Reclaiming Christianity On The Margins by Rohadi Nagassar. i read it with a friend and discussed every few chapters, very illuminating.
Dec 28, 2023·edited Dec 28, 2023Liked by Emily P. Freeman
Thanks for sharing. I'm placing The Deep Down Things on my 2024 list. I started Beth Moore’s audiobook but I don’t think it’s the season to read it. This has been a year of transition and I’m navigating my reading and listening rhythm.
I agree with Cole Arthur Riley's This Here Flesh. It is possibly the best book I've ever read. (And I'm a librarian!) It was and is life-changing for me. It made me want to write my own book. And I got to meet her earlier this fall, and she is wonderful in person as well. Wholeheartedly recommend This Here Flesh to anyone.
The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha. “Only the pain we name is available for transformation. What I fail to see, I fail to lament. And if I cannot express grief about the brokenness around me, then I remain trapped, a harm to myself, to others.” (pg. 30)
I’m right with you on many of these. I too have started reading RHE and love her writing and yes, miss her. That’s not strange at all! And I listened to Beth Moore’s book. She reads so wonderfully and is wholeheartedly herself in it. Even changing her accent as she “grows up.”
My copy of Inspired has so many post it notes in it it’s doubled in size and the first chapter of Wholehearted set me off balling. And I’m not a crier! Bit RHE fan over here.
I loved listening to Beth Moore’s memoir on audiobook. Parts of it were a balm to my soul. I only just learned of Emily’s work through a recent Practicing the Way podcast. I quickly picked up The Next Right Thing. I’ve read “Name the Narrative” chapter multiple times! Lastly, I’m currently reading Sacred Fire by Ronald Rolheiser. I have a feeling a book I will ready multiple times!
This Here Flesh is AMAZING. I had the honor of hearing Cole Arthur Riley speak and having a brief conversation with her last month, too. She's so inspiring and sweet and kind. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Black Liturgies!
Also, it's not on this list but I did listen to the audiobook of Know My Name by Chanel Miller earlier this year, after your recommended it in one of your monthly letters. Thank you for recommending that one because it became one of my top reads/listens of the year.
Thank you so much for the list and commentary. I value your opinions and insight. Being a slow reader, I marvel at such a list and want to read more! Thanks for the inspiration and putting your thoughts out there.
Also read many of these books this year and loved them! This year I loved Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (fiction), East of Eden by John Steinbeck (fiction), and Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy (Non-fiction).
I keep hearing excellent things about Tom Lake! There’s a long hold list at the library for it so I’m actually going to order it because I’m eager to read it. Camille T. Dungy’s book sounds incredibly interesting. Thank you for the recommendation! I’m adding this to my list as well 😊
The Wisdom of Your Body by Dr. Hillary McBride was such an impactful book for me. It took me most of the year to read it since it was full of so much goodness. Several of my friends got this from me for Christmas mostly so I could have more people to talk about it with!
Inspired and All My Knotted-Up Life were also 2 of my top reads this year!
Another 3 that were in my top 5 for the year were “Where Goodness Still Grows” by Amy Peterson, “Attached to God” by Krispin Mayfield, and “The King Jesus Gospel” by Scot McKnight.
Peterson and McKnight’s books both were helpful and a companion navigating the breakdown of cultural Christianity and rerooting my faith in the person of Jesus and the larger story of God that is often lost in our hyperpoliticized culture.
Mayfield’s book utilizes and explains attachment theory, linking it to the way we connect with God. This book has shaped my faith and understanding of God’s great love more than almost any other book.
I, too, read Beth’s memoir this year and loved it! Also, I just read “The Next Right Thing” for the first time about a month ago, and am recommending it to so many friends! I can’t believe I waited so long to read it (I am an avid listener to the podcast, and have read your other books), but I believe it was a timing thing—I needed it now. I might not have appreciated it as much if I’d read it a couple of years ago.
I relate to this so much. I had read Emily‘s book The Next Right Thing months ago and while I enjoyed it and learned from it, this time around I’m getting so much more out of it. . For me it was definitely a need thing.
I was deeply moved by two particular books I read this year, both in the memoir category: that of Viola Davis and Kerry Washington. Wow! As we close out 2023, I’m also rereading your book, The Next Right Thing, enjoying it even more than the first time I read it. I look forward to your newest book for 2024, which I’ve already pre-ordered. Thank you Emily.
I loved Kerry Washington’s memoir too! Definitely going to read Viola Davis’s this year!
You’ll love it! I think for me, there were more surprises in Kerry’s story because I had come to see her as such a strong, independent woman on TV and in movies that it never occurred to me she came from a slightly dysfunctional family and had struggled to find her true self. Although I’ve respected her work for years, reading her memoir was the way to connect with her and respect her more deeply as a human being. I’m glad you liked it too!
i loved way too many books, but one i think relevant to us here - When We Belong: Reclaiming Christianity On The Margins by Rohadi Nagassar. i read it with a friend and discussed every few chapters, very illuminating.
Thanks for sharing. I'm placing The Deep Down Things on my 2024 list. I started Beth Moore’s audiobook but I don’t think it’s the season to read it. This has been a year of transition and I’m navigating my reading and listening rhythm.
I agree with Cole Arthur Riley's This Here Flesh. It is possibly the best book I've ever read. (And I'm a librarian!) It was and is life-changing for me. It made me want to write my own book. And I got to meet her earlier this fall, and she is wonderful in person as well. Wholeheartedly recommend This Here Flesh to anyone.
The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha. “Only the pain we name is available for transformation. What I fail to see, I fail to lament. And if I cannot express grief about the brokenness around me, then I remain trapped, a harm to myself, to others.” (pg. 30)
I’m right with you on many of these. I too have started reading RHE and love her writing and yes, miss her. That’s not strange at all! And I listened to Beth Moore’s book. She reads so wonderfully and is wholeheartedly herself in it. Even changing her accent as she “grows up.”
My copy of Inspired has so many post it notes in it it’s doubled in size and the first chapter of Wholehearted set me off balling. And I’m not a crier! Bit RHE fan over here.
I also recommend Kate Bowler. Love her!
I loved listening to Beth Moore’s memoir on audiobook. Parts of it were a balm to my soul. I only just learned of Emily’s work through a recent Practicing the Way podcast. I quickly picked up The Next Right Thing. I’ve read “Name the Narrative” chapter multiple times! Lastly, I’m currently reading Sacred Fire by Ronald Rolheiser. I have a feeling a book I will ready multiple times!
I adore Ronald Rolheiser! I’m glad you found us here :)
This Here Flesh is AMAZING. I had the honor of hearing Cole Arthur Riley speak and having a brief conversation with her last month, too. She's so inspiring and sweet and kind. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Black Liturgies!
Also, it's not on this list but I did listen to the audiobook of Know My Name by Chanel Miller earlier this year, after your recommended it in one of your monthly letters. Thank you for recommending that one because it became one of my top reads/listens of the year.
Yes! Hers was one of my 2022 favorites.
Thank you so much for the list and commentary. I value your opinions and insight. Being a slow reader, I marvel at such a list and want to read more! Thanks for the inspiration and putting your thoughts out there.
“The Covenant of Water” is my 2023 must-read recommendation.
I’m a huge fan of author Lisa See, and her new book “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” did not disappoint.
I’m looking forward to reading Beth Moore’s memoir.
I loved Educated by Tara Westover, and A Fall of Marigolds by (I don’t remember)
Also read many of these books this year and loved them! This year I loved Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (fiction), East of Eden by John Steinbeck (fiction), and Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy (Non-fiction).
Tom Lake has been on my list to read! I almost grabbed it from the library last week. I’ll move it up on the list!
I keep hearing excellent things about Tom Lake! There’s a long hold list at the library for it so I’m actually going to order it because I’m eager to read it. Camille T. Dungy’s book sounds incredibly interesting. Thank you for the recommendation! I’m adding this to my list as well 😊
If you have audible, Meryl Streep reading Tom Lake is amazing! It’s my favourite book of 2023.
Oh my gosh, thank you for letting me know that! Meryl Streep has the most amazing voice and I love audiobooks. Bless you Friend 💛
I, too, read Eden, and followed with some other Steinbeck! Eden is definitely a keeper.
The Wisdom of Your Body by Dr. Hillary McBride was such an impactful book for me. It took me most of the year to read it since it was full of so much goodness. Several of my friends got this from me for Christmas mostly so I could have more people to talk about it with!
Oh! This one was really good too!
Inspired and All My Knotted-Up Life were also 2 of my top reads this year!
Another 3 that were in my top 5 for the year were “Where Goodness Still Grows” by Amy Peterson, “Attached to God” by Krispin Mayfield, and “The King Jesus Gospel” by Scot McKnight.
Peterson and McKnight’s books both were helpful and a companion navigating the breakdown of cultural Christianity and rerooting my faith in the person of Jesus and the larger story of God that is often lost in our hyperpoliticized culture.
Mayfield’s book utilizes and explains attachment theory, linking it to the way we connect with God. This book has shaped my faith and understanding of God’s great love more than almost any other book.
i also loved Attached To God! it's one of those i try to buy extra copies of to have to give away ♥️
How to Stay Married by Scott Harrison Key
I, too, read Beth’s memoir this year and loved it! Also, I just read “The Next Right Thing” for the first time about a month ago, and am recommending it to so many friends! I can’t believe I waited so long to read it (I am an avid listener to the podcast, and have read your other books), but I believe it was a timing thing—I needed it now. I might not have appreciated it as much if I’d read it a couple of years ago.
I relate to this so much. I had read Emily‘s book The Next Right Thing months ago and while I enjoyed it and learned from it, this time around I’m getting so much more out of it. . For me it was definitely a need thing.