23 favorites from 2023
What I've loved over the last year
Happy New Year!
As I emerge from the post-Christmas haze and look toward 2024, I wanted to take some time and reflect on a few of my favorites from 2023. If there’s one thing I love about the New Year, it’s the opportunity to take stock of what’s happened in the last 365 days and set intentions for the year ahead.
2023 has been a quiet but exciting year for me. For one, I started this Substack! Until earlier this year, I’d never had the courage (or the follow through) to really commit to a writing project like this. Looking back, I’m so glad I took the leap. I’ve got so many ideas and plans for Warranted in 2024…but first, here’s my list of favorites from the year.
Books
1. Dominion by Tom Holland
I briefly shared about Dominion here, but it stands alone as one of the very best books I’ve read not only in 2023, but ever. “Whether in martyrdom, power, charity, conquest, asceticism, abolition, protest, or revolution, the principles of the church—the legacy of Christianity—have permeated every aspect of Western culture during the last two millennia.”
2. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
This year, I truly fell in love with C.S. Lewis’ writing. Screwtape was the first book of his I read this year, and it has become another keystone for me as I try to put words to my experience as a believer. More of my thoughts here.
3. Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
I haven’t shared much about this book, but it has been settling in my mind since I read it back in October. Postman argues for the written word in a world saturated with screens and bite-sized news. His passion for long-form, thought provoking content has galvanized my resolve as a writer.
Podcasts
4. Chaos Dragon series by BibleProject
If you’ve been reading my recommendations for the last few weeks, you’ve seen this pop up a time or two already. This series explores the theme of the Chaos Dragon with depth and detail that will make you excited to open your Bible. Start here.
5. “Intellectual Discipleship” by Reasonable Faith
The Reasonable Faith weekly podcast is great, but I loved this particular episode because it introduced me to a really exciting group that I’m proud to be part of: The Society for Women of Letters. Listen here.
Videos
6. “How to Overcome Intellectual Anxiety” by Truth Unites
A great message if you, like me, worry about getting everything “right.”
7 & 8. Revelation Part I and II by BibleProject
Where would I be without BibleProject videos? This outline of Revelation helped me understand the book as I read through it on my own this year.
9. Job by BibleProject
See above. 😉
Warranted articles
10 & 11. Church history Q&A with Jarrett Vandiver
12. What is Christmas about?
13. Your best life now!
14 & 15. Why do good? Series
16, 17, 18 & 19. Spiritual Disciplines Series
20. Why do I believe? Pt. 1
Miscellaneous favorites
21. Vice Verses by Switchfoot (Album)
After 12 years, there’s not a song on this album that doesn’t ring beautifully true. Vice Verses perfectly captures the tension between hope and despair that is as synonymous with life as breathing. If you don’t listen to the album all the way through, at least listen to “Restless” or “Where I Belong.”
22. OurChurchSpeaks on Instagram
This account is a recent follow, but I have loved learning about my brothers and sisters in Christ through artist Ben Lansing’s drawings and short biographies. If you’re on Instagram, go give the page a follow!
23. Revelation
It does feel funny to “recommend” a book of the Bible, as if it needs my seal of approval for you to check it out. But, here’s why I wanted to include it: I finally read Revelation through for myself this year after being intimidated by it for my whole Christian life, and I’m so glad I did. If you decide to read it, too, I encourage you to use the BibleProject videos linked above and also pay attention to all of the Genesis 1-3/Garden of Eden/creation references throughout the book. It’s really fascinating!
Now, LMK:
What were your favorites this year? Drop them in the comments below!
The Son Rises was the first book I read this year and definitely my favorite. Great recommendations for 2024!