by Mindi Popovich-Schneider, Saint Emmelia Ministries Assistant
When I was growing up, I really, really wanted to be a detective. I spent a lot of time (when I wasn’t reading mysteries) inventing mysteries for myself to solve in our backyard (I always cracked the case!). Now as an adult, I feel like I really am a gumshoe, at least in one respect: I am constantly on the case, hunting for books worth sharing with others! Here, I am going to share the results of my sleuthing over the course of the past year, as well as the books that I’m most looking forward to investigating in 2024!
Here are my recommended books of 2023:
Picture Books
In the Quiet, Noisy Woods by Michael J. Rosen
Through the rompings of two wolf cubs, the reader explores a day in the woods. The beautiful vocabulary and digital art made me fall in love with this sweet tale.
The Littlest Matryoshka by Corinne Demas Bliss
In this story, a little family of matryoshka dolls go on a long journey. This book reminds me of Jan Brett’s work.
The Night is Deep and Wide by Gillian Sze
This board book is excellent for little eyes, due to its high-contrast illustrations in black, white, and red. The writing makes it a wonderful bedtime selection.
Colors of the National Parks by Jenny Miriam
Another board book, this choice is very simple with minimal text. However, the illustrations are beautiful, and it would be a nice choice for a Nature Study unit on the flora and fauna of North America.
Non-Fiction
The Life and Teachings of St. Seraphim of Sarov by N. Puretzki
St. Seraphim has always been special to me because of his love for wild animals. Reading about his relationships with others has inspired me to work on my patience and love for everyone I meet (not just bears!).
Strange New World by Carl Trueman
Although Trueman is Presbyterian–and his reformed theology certainly comes through in the text!–I believe this book is a very important read. Trueman outlines the rise of the phenomenon of “expressive individualism,” our tendency to locate our understanding of the world within ourselves, not within the context of community. This book has helped me identify my own expressive individualist tendencies, which has helped me work on turning my focus outward, towards God and, by extension, those around me.
Classics
My Ántonia by Willa Cather
This book was on my “to be read” list for a long time, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. The narrator, Jim Burden, recounts his childhood on the plains of Nebraska and particularly his relationship with the oldest daughter of a family of immigrants from Bohemia. American Literature has never been my wheelhouse, but I enjoyed the vivid depictions of frontier life.
Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
While not the only Agatha Christie I read this year, I chose to include Peril at End House on this list because the ending really caught me by surprise! In this mystery, Hercule Poirot (with the help of his trusty sidekick Hastings) races the clock to prevent the death of a young heiress.
Christmas with Anne by L.M. Montgomery (Re-read)
This collection of short stories was the perfect lead-in to Christmas week. Each story focuses on charity, generosity, and forgiveness at Christmastime, but I am certainly inspired to carry those virtues with me through the whole year.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Re-read)
My family reread this book series religiously when I was growing up, but it was delightful to reread the first entry as an adult (and accidental Ingalls apologist–but that’s a story for another time). What excited me most about rereading it was imagining how it could be used in homeschooling, not only for Literature, but for Nature Studies as well!
Adult Fiction
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
After Alice’s boyfriend throws her over for being too obsessed with her books, she travels to Appalachia to deliver books to a rural library there. But, of course, she gets a lot more than she bargained for! Alice is a really delightful character, and it was fun to watch her grow up while maintaining her deep (and relatable) love for books. This book (published by a Protestant company) is suitable for teens.
Young Adult Fiction
East by Edith Patou
I will (almost) always pick up any retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” (or any of its folkloric descendants), and this one is a modern classic. It follows the original storyline closely, but with a few new motifs and plot twists to keep the reader interested.
The Silent Unseen by Amanda McCrina
At the end of WWII in Eastern Europe, Maria–a Polish teen escaping forced labor in Germany–has to team up with Tomek–a Ukrainian Nationalist–to find her missing brother. This book is a recommendation, but with a caveat: it involves a fair (but realistic) amount of violence and unsavory language. I still recommend it for older teens because the gripping plotline uncovers a little-discussed piece of Orthodox-adjacent history.
Since having a baby, my book selection process is quickly checking out whatever I find most easily on Hoopla, Libby, or CloudLibrary so that I can read while nursing! In 2024, I hope to be more intentional about my selections and finally check off some classics and nonfiction that I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. Here are the books I’m most excited to read:
Non-Fiction
The Joy to Serve by Mat. Juliana Schmemann
The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins
Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear
Adult Fiction/Classics
Christy by Catherine Marshall (Re-read)
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (Already started)
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (Already started)
Young Adult & Children’s Fiction
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (NOTE: I am not sure how “clean” this book is, but Brandon Sanderson, a Mormon, is known for his fairly safe writing.)
The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit
There you have it: my 2023 in books! I hope you pick up some of these titles, and if you do, I hope you’ll let me know what you think.
What were your best books of 2023? What books do you have on your list for 2024?
For personalized book recommendations, email Mindi at office@saintemmelia.com