For a while this year, I tried weekly lists of my favorites from the week. It worked for about two weeks, and then I felt like I was being something of a forced Buddy the Elf. Not all weeks, it turns out, produce favorites.
But there are so many good resources and encouragements and just stuff out there. And I love to offer unsolicited recommendations whenever possible. Enter my effort at compiling an annual list. Note that not all of these were released this year, but they are things I consumed and enjoyed in 2022.
What have I missed that needs to be at the top of my 2023 reading and listening pile? Oh, and eating recommendations are welcome too!
Books – Nonfiction
“The Good Apple: Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York” by Elizabeth Passarella – This memoir of a southern girl’s life in New York City had me in stitches and in tears.
“I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet” by Shauna Niequest – A series of essays about when life flips upside down, our hearts are broken, and we learn new ways to make our lives lovely.
“The Girl With Seven Names: Escape from North Korea” by Hyeonseo Lee – The true story of a North Korean defector, this is a glimpse into a part of the world I was pretty clueless about.
“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown – This one is over a decade old, but there is a reason it persists.
Books – Fiction
“Something in the Water” by Catherine Steadman – Love story meets mystery and you do not see the end coming.
“Eight Hundred Grapes” by Laura Dave – Sweet story about family and the family business.
Podcast – Series
“Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” hosted by Ruth Haley Barton – I have only listened to season 16 about systems theory. The concept sounds dull, but it is fascinating how our families of origin can impact how we relate as adults and as leaders.
“The Bulletin from Christianity Today” hosted by Mike Cosper – Mike Cosper of “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” fame is now back with a weekly podcast discussing several timely topics with other Christian leaders, writers, and thinkers. A month in, and this one is really good.
“Therapy and Theology” hosted by Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress, and Joel Muddamalle – They finally took a sub-set of the Proverbs31 podcast and made it its own series. These topics are raw, and they do a good job of balancing a mental health point of view with sound theology.
Podcast – Specific Episode
“The Enneagram and Decision Making with Suzanne Stabile” on The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman – This is such a great discussion between two of my faves. If you have any interest in the Enneagram, you need to listen
“Susan Cain – Survival of the Kindest” on Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: – This is a great discussion about how joy and pain can coexist…and that they do, and it is normal, and it is hard…and weird. I’d never heard of Susan Cain, but she’s amazing. Her deep dive into the bittersweetness of life is so touching and lovely. And it absolutely rings so very, very true in this season.
Music
“Joy of Music” by Ben Rector – How do I love this album? Let me count the ways. So very, very good and even after my 15,672nd listen I hear lyrics that hit me just right that I didn’t notice before. Ben Rector is a gifted song writer and these may be his best songs to date.
TV
“Inventing Anna” on Netflix – This was bizarre and incredible and apparently true. Fake socialite who convinces a good bit of Manhattan that she’s an heiress. And they believe her. And give her millions.
“The Chosen” – I am admittedly late on this one. Season three just came out in late 2022 and I just started season 1 and I’ve rapidly caught up. I will say it took me about three or four episodes to get familiar with who everyone is and to get the rhythm of the show. Once I did, though, it was fantastic. Yes, I know these stories. But there is something about imagining Jesus as a real-life walking, dancing, joking human. This series has reminded my human heart that my very divine Lord walked this earth and lived life as a very real human. And that’s made me love Jesus even more.
“Bluey” on Disney – Yes, I am a 46-year old human. Yes, the youngest person is my house is almost a teenager. Yes, I love this show clearly targeted to families of preschoolers. It is the sweetest, funniest, and most authentic view of parenting I think I’ve found since becoming a mom. It is short, sweet, and portrays a precious family dynamic about a dog family in Australia. Yes, I hear that as I type. If you haven’t at least watched one episode, I don’t care how many little humans you do or do not have, watch one. My personal favorite episode is called “Takeaway.” It will lift your soul (and make you laugh). I promise.
