What to Read in 2023

What to Read in 2023

by: Emily Thomas

One of my very favorite things about this community is how much you all love to read. Our shared bond over books is not surprising: to love the introspection, intentionality, and vision-casting of the PowerSheets® process, you almost have to love the learning and inspiration that can come from a great book, too! 

If you're looking for recommendations on what to read in 2023, look no further. We've rounded up some of our favorite books—as well as a few new releases we're excited to pick upin each category of a balanced life. As you think about all you hope to learn and grow and do this year in your PowerSheets, this list will help you consider what books you might want to have by your side.

Grab your Cultivated Reading Journal or fire up your Good Reads account and get ready to add an armful of books to your To-Be-Read List! Asterisks mark planned 2023 releases.

Health + Wellness Books

  • Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad
  • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
  • Cooking from the Spirit by Tabitha Brown
  • Good for a Girl* by Lauren Fleshman
  • How Not to Die by Michael Greger, MD
  • The Invisible Kingdom by Meghan O'Rourke
  • The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
  • Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui

Books on Community

  • Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
  • The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs
  • Find Your People by Jennie Allen
  • The Fine Art of Small Talk by Debra Fine
  • Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond by Lydia Denworth
  • Give and Take by Adam Grant
  • The Life We're Looking For by Andy Crouch
  • Start With Hello by Shannan Martin
  • Them by Ben Sasse
  • These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
  • You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy

Books on Family

  • The All or Nothing Marriage by Eli J. Finkl
  • Baby, Unplugged by Sophie Brickman
  • Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
  • The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair
  • The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis
  • Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Early
  • Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
  • I'll Show Myself Out by Jessi Klein
  • Let Them Be Kids by Jessica Smartt
  • The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
  • Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas
  • Teach Your Children Well by Sarah Cowan Johnson

Spiritual + Personal Growth Books

  • Bittersweet by Susan Cain
  • The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Early
  • The Cost of Control by Sharon Hodde Miller
  • Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
  • Finding Me by Viola Davis
  • Hearing God by Dallas Willard
  • Forgive by Timothy Keller
  • From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
  • Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
  • Leadership by Henry Kissinger
  • Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
  • The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink
  • Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren
  • The Stories We Tell* by Joanna Gaines
  • Think Again by Adam Grant
  • When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons
  • You Are Not Alone* by Cariad Lloyd

Finance Books

  • Dollars and Sense by Dan Ariely
  • Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
  • Get Good With Money by Tiffany Aliche
  • I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
  • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
  • Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
  • Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
  • The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

Homes + Spaces Books

  • The Art of Homemaking by Alison May
  • Big Style in Small Spaces by Sarah Dorsey
  • Change Your Home, Change Your Life by Moll Anderson
  • Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquilyn Smith
  • Fridge Love by Kristen Hong
  • The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
  • Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
  • How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
  • The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi
  • The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Clarkson
  • Minimalism by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Work + Learning Books

  • The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
  • Get Paid for What You Know by Graham Cochrane
  • How to Be a Great Boss by Gino Wickman
  • The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
  • Indistractible by Nir Eyal
  • Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
  • Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky
  • Newsroom Confidential by Margaret Sullivan
  • What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
  • Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

And just for fun, a few favorite fiction book recommendations:

  • The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
  • Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
  • Homecoming* by Kate Morton
  • If I Survive You* by Jonathan Escoffery
  • Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
  • The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
  • The Measure by Nikki Erlick
  • Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
  • The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
  • Yellowface* by R.F. Kuang

Love to read? You'll LOVE the Cultivated Reading Journal! Described as "the reading journal of your dreams!" by happy Cultivators, this beauty includes pages to record the details of 100 books, a TBR List, a reading habit tracker, a color-in bookshelf, space to create your own book lists, fun challenges, journaling prompts, a quotes section, and much more! It's all bound in a gorgeous hardcover book with thick, smooth pages. Buy yours now!

We'd love to hear from you! What books are on your list for 2023? What books on this list do you love? What books would you add?

For more reading recs, take a peek at our book lists for 2022 + 2021!

Leave a comment

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas is Cultivate What Matters' Content Strategist and Writer. With over a decade at Cultivate, Emily loves helping women uncover what matters, set good goals, and live them out with joy. Her free time is spent with her high-school-sweetheart husband and three young kiddos.

Cultivate What Matters Podcast

If you are ready to get unstuck, say goodbye to wasted days, and feel your life adding up to something more—you are in the right place! The Cultivate What Matters Podcast will help you uncover what truly matters in your life and give you the tools to start acting like it today. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, lacking motivation, or simply looking for a little joy and delight, you'll find exactly what you need right here. We are so excited to walk alongside you!

Goal School

Get access to premium content to help you stay on top of your goals all year long!