I am always more inclined to read fiction, rather than nonfiction, but oh my, there are memorable books on this list of favorites. I am aware that most of the books I list have not shown up on various media “Best of 2023” lists, and, in fact, many, if not most, of the books were not published in 2023, but this list reflects my personal taste plus the direction of my heart and my interests. I imagine your list is as individual as mine.

I have listed books in the order in which I read them–within the created categories. Browse at your leisure!

Spirituality

Part of my meditation time each morning is to read a book classified as spirituality or theology. All of these books, by the way, are housed in my garret where I write and meet with spiritual directees.

• Liturgy of the Ordinary, Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren
• Faith After Doubt, Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What To Do About It by Brian D. McLaren
• Do I Stay Christian, A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned by Brian D. McLaren
• A Prayer in the Night, For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren
• Embers, One Ojibway’s Meditations by Richard Wagamese
• Alive Until You’re Dead, Notes on the Home Stretch by Susan Moon
• Enchantment, Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May
• Sacred Nature, Restoring our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong
• Lost and Found, Reflections on Grief, Gratitude and Happiness by Kathryn Schulz
• Why Did Jesus , Moses, The Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World by Brian D. McLaren
• Things Seen and Unseen, A Year Lived in Faith by Nora Gallagher (Re-read)
• Practicing Resurrection, A Memoir of Work, Doubt, Discernment, and Moments of Grace by Nora Gallagher. (Re-read)
• Winter Grace, Spirituality and Aging by Kathleen Fischer (Re-read)
• The Summer of the Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L’Engle (Re-read)
• Wintering, The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May (Re-read)

Writing

• Memoir as Medicine, The Healing Power of Writing Your Messy, Imperfect, Unruly (but Gorgeously Yours) Life Story by Nancy Slonin Aronie
• Writing Begins with the Breath, Embodying Your Authentic Voice by Laraine Herring

Other

• The Hawk’s Way, Encounters with Fierce Beauty by Sy Montgomery (nature)
• A Friend Sails in on a Poem by Molly Peacock
• Bomb Shelter, Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott (essays)
• Leaving the Pink House by Ladette Randolph (memoir)
• The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, Native America From 1890 to the Present By David Treuer
• South to America, A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry
• One Hundred Saturdays, Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World by Michael Frank
• Catching the Light by Joy Harjo (memoir, poetry)
• Fox and I, An Uncommon Friendship by Catherine Raven (memoir, nature)
• You Could Make This Place Beautiful, A Memoir by Maggie Smith

An Invitation

What nonfiction books read in 2023 do you recommend? I would love to know.