2023 Reading List + How To Read More This Year

Coming up with my annual reading list is always one of my favorite posts of the year. I’ll be honest, the list is always an ambitious one. I didn’t end up reading all the books I intended to last year, but I’m ok with that. By the end of the year, I still ended up reading about a dozen books which is better than zero.

My ambition for reading many books in a year is still very much present. This time my ambition is coupled with intent and a clear strategy on how to read more. We’re only a few days into the New Year and I’m almost done reading two books which is exciting.

However, without a doubt, I think the fact that I can include the book I wrote, Everyday MAGIC, on the list is easily the most exciting. While I’m obviously biased, it is such a great book to read at the top of the year. My hope is that when you read it, you’re encouraged to approach everyday in a practical and authentic way.

Reading more is a personal goal of mine in 2023, but this year I wanted to take it more seriously. If you’re like me and wondering how to get more reading time in this year, here’s how to read more this year.

SCHEDULE READING TIME
Are you guilty of writing down “Read” on your things to do list like me? No judgement. We’re all friends here. However, vague plans will get vague results. (Ask me how I know.) What I’ve been doing in the last few months is actually putting reading time in my schedule. When you have a designated time to actually read vs. getting to read whenever you have the time, you never have the time.

Schedule the time and then honor that time when it comes. To further this action so your reading habit really sticks, schedule both when you’re going to read & what exactly you plan to. For instance, “Read chapter 12 of Read, Fire, Aim from 2-2:45p” leaves no guessing room.

IDENTIFY YOUR IDEAL READING TIME
Reading time is not created equally. I cannot really read at night because I will fall asleep in 2 minutes. Ideal reading time for me is in the morning or afternoon, so I schedule it as such. If you’re not one to read in the morning, schedule your reading time in the afternoon or evening. Doing this increases your chances of reading more and finishing books.

READ PHYSICAL & AUDIO BOOKS
While I would love to have the capacity to read physical books all day everyday, I just don’t. Sometimes I’m cooking dinner, doing my makeup or something else hands on but doesn’t warrant my undivided attention. This is when I like to listen to audiobooks. Doing so pretty much allows me to listen to as many books as I read each month. TIP: speed up the audio to 1.3x to get through the book faster.

HAVE A READING QUEUE
If nothing else, have a running list of everything you want to read. It can be for the month, quarter or the year. It’s great because you don’t have to wonder about what to read next. Just look at the list and go. Obviously, the queue is simply a guide and you can change your mind whenever you’d like. But in the case of staying the course, having a reading queue does what it needs to do.

I’m a non-fiction books kind of girl – I like my reading to be about personal or professional development.

For personal development reads, I’ve included books about marriage, mental health, faith, motherhood, self-care and more. One of my goals is go beyond the surface with my mental health, marriage and motherhood. Anything God has for me, I don’t want to leave behind. That requires me to go deep.

For professional development, I really want to deeply understand sales, pitching and marketing at a higher level while learning the systems, processes and strategies of running a 7 figure business.

Obviously, the number one book on this list is Everyday MAGIC. While I believe it’s a book that’s helpful at any time of the year, I especially think it is encouraging at the start of a new year.

Below is my 2023 reading list.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Everyday MAGIC
How Are You, Really?
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
The Mountain is You
Brave Enough
What Happened To You?
Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First
Good Inside
The Mamas
Life, I Swear
Stand In Confidence
Marriage Be Hard
The Family Firm
10 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do
The Sacred Marriage