There is one repeat question I ask every guest during each episode on The Savvy Sauce . . . I let them know savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge or discernment or insight, and we would love to replicate their savvy ways, so as my final question to every guest, I pose this question:
What is your savvy sauce?
One particular response stands out as I write this letter to you today. On Strengthening Your Marriage, Gary Thomas said his savvy sauce is to read and gain wisdom, even when it requires spending money to purchase the book (or audiobook). His inspiration for his savvy sauce is Proverbs 4:7-9 (NIV).
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
I have never regretted spending money on a book, but I also prefer to test out books before purchasing them for our home collection. I do this through our local library. Have you done this before too? I order all my audiobooks, physical books, and ebooks for my Kindle through our library. Bonus: Pick up with four kids in tow is much easier when all the books we want are already set aside on the shelf for us!
I love to read and I am required to read for my job, but I never feel like I get to read as much as I want. Sometimes at night I read for five minutes before my eyelids are too heavy to continue. Other times we go days without reading aloud in our home or I go a week without diving into the current book on my nightstand. Still, there is unbelievable progress made from small incremental deposits over time. I was curious to count up the books I remember or have written down that I’ve read or listened to over the past decade and it turns out to be approximately 200 books I’ve read or listened to on my own, in addition to thousands upon thousands of picture books I’ve read aloud to our daughters!
I’m guessing if you go back through the books you’ve read, you may also be surprised by the amount! It turns out little by little adds up to a LOT! And that encourages me to keep picking up books, even if it’s not as frequently as I desire.
Mark Batterson was the first person I heard point out that authors take years to read and learn and then document their words. Therefore, Mark says this of his philosophy of reading, “1 BOOK = 2 YEARS of WISDOM. read 50 books this year and gain 100 years of life experience.”
He goes on to famously say “Learning isn’t a luxury; it’s a stewardship issue.”
Let’s steward our time well and grow in wisdom together! What has helped you grow in wisdom? Spending time with God and reading the Bible is absolutely at the top of my list, but reading other books is another way to gain wisdom and it’s a very enjoyable way, indeed!
I LOVE when a trusted friend gives me a great book recommendation and one of my favorite words is “Share.” So I’ve decided to share with you the list of my top 50 books over the past decade. Also, if one of these books I list has an author who was a previous guest on The Savvy Sauce, I will link to the author’s podcast so we can continue gaining wisdom from them. I hope you share your list with me as well when you comment on this post.
True Life Stories:
Castaway Kid: One Man’s Search for Hope and Home by R. B. Mitchell (Episode 122: Incredible Story of Overcoming with Rob Mitchell)
Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, et al.
Now I Am Known: How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and True Worth by Peter Mutabazi (Episode 197 Compelling Grace, Forgiveness, Purpose, and Hope in Jesus with Peter Mutabazi)
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom , Elizabeth Sherrill , et al.
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, Elizabeth Sherrill , et al.
Parenting:
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch and Amy Crouch
Personality Plus for Parents: Understanding What Makes Your Child Tick by Florence Littauer
If Mama Ain’t Happy: Why Minding Healthy Boundaries Is Good for Your Whole Familyby Rachel Norman (Patreon 50: Caring for Ourselves While Caring for Our Kids with Rachel Norman)
Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt (Episode 103: Making Family Memories with Jessica Smartt)
A Grown-Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring by Kathleen Edelman (Episodes 72 + 73: Understanding Temperaments to Improve Your Relationships Part 1 with Author and Communication Coach, Kathleen Edelman and Understanding Temperaments to Improve Your Relationships Part 2 with Author and Communication Coach, Kathleen Edelman)
The Kindness Antennae by Julie Brasington
In This House, We Will Giggle: Making Virtues, Love, and Laughter a Daily Part of Your Family Life by Courtney DeFeo (Episode 1: 1 Finding Your Purpose as a Mom with Courtney DeFeo, Bonus Episode *Special Patreon Release* Ideas for Spreading Generosity with Courtney DeFeo, and Episode 200: Planting Seeds of Faith in Our Children with Courtney DeFeo)
Parenting: Getting It Right by Andy Stanley and Sandra Stanley (Episode 196: Parenting for the Relationship with Sandra Stanley)
Whole and Healthy Family by Jodi Mockabee (Episode 212: School Series: Benefits of Homeschooling with Jodi Mockabee)
Time Management:
168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam
Sexual Intimacy:
Passion Pursuit: What Kind of Love Are You Making?by Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery (Episode 89: Passion Pursuit with Dr. Juli Slattery, Patreon 26 Holy Sex with Dr. Juli Slattery and Episode 181:181 Life-Giving Marriage with Dr. Juli Slattery)
Married Sex: A Christian Couple’s Guide to Reimagining Your Love Life by Gary Thomas and Debra K. Fileta (Episode 158: 158 Making Love in Marriage with Debra Fileta and Episode 165: Mutually Pleasing Sex in Marriage with Gary Thomas)
Books about Books 🙂 I love reading these to find wonderful book recommendations:
The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie
Honey for a Child’s Heart Updated and Expanded: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt and Mark Hunt
Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time by Jamie C. Martin and Tsh Oxenreider
The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
Friends’ Books I’ve Loved!!
I’m thrilled to share some more books I own that are extra special because my friends have authored these. They include:
The Art of Intimate Marriage: A Christian Couple’s Guide to Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Jennifer Konzen and Tim Konzen (Episode 4: Fostering a Fun, Healthy Sex Life with your Spouse with Dr. Jennifer Konzen)
Radical Business: From Ownership to Stewardship by Gary Ringger (Episode 79: Radical Business and Radical Parenting with Gary & Marla Ringger, Founders of Lifesong for Orphans)
A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God’s Gift of Sexual Intimacy by Douglas E. Rosenau (Episode 5: Ways to Deepen Your Intimacy in Marriage with Dr. Douglas Rosenau and Episode 39: Natural Aphrodisiacs with Christian Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Douglas Rosenau)
Presence over Pain: How God’s Presence Is the Answer to Our Pain By Doug Rumbold (Patreon 58: Purpose in Pain and Suffering with Doug Rumbold)
The Power of Customer Experience: 5 Elements To Make An Impactand The Power of Purpose The Strength of Purpose: A Guide to Knowing and Living Your Reason for Being by Elizabeth Dixon (Episode 3: Being Intentional with our Health, Finances and Relationships with Elizabeth Dixon and Patreon 44: Patreon 44 Working Mom Wisdom with Elizabeth Dixon)
Dream, Build, Grow: A Female’s Step-by-Step Guide for How to Start a Business by Francie Hinrichsen (Episode 132: Pursuing Your God-Given Dream with Francie Hinrichsen)
Famous at Home: 7 Decisions to Put Your Family Center Stage in a World Competing for Your Time, Attention, and Identity by Dr. Josh Straub and Christi Straub (Episode 180: Becoming Famous at Home with Dr. Josh and Christi Straub)
Secrets of Sex and Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make All the Difference by Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma (Episodes 218: Secrets of Sex and Marriage: Interview with Dr. Michael Sytsma and 224: Surprising Discoveries of Sex in Marriage: An Interview with Shaunti Feldhahn
Business and Leadership:
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Know What You’re FOR: A Growth Strategy for Work, An Even Better Strategy for Lifeby Jeff Henderson (Episode 37: Being Intentional with Marriage, Parenting, Rest, Personal Development, and Leadership with Pastor, Podcaster, and Author, Jeff Henderson and Episode 77: How 2 Questions Can Grow Your Business and Change Your Life with Author, Pastor, and Podcaster, Jeff Henderson)
Finances:
The Legacy Journey: A Radical View of Biblical Wealth and Generosity by Dave Ramsey
Faith and Following Jesus:
Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff
X: Multiply Your God-Given Potential by John Bevere
Jesus, Continued: Why the Spirit Inside You is Better Than Jesus Beside You by J.D. Greear
Health:
Digital Invasion: How Technology Is Shaping You And Your Relationships by Dr. Archibald Hart and Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd (Episode 170: Mastering Technology so it Does Not Master You with Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd)
Thrilled to Death: How the Endless Pursuit of Pleasure Is Leaving Us Numb by Dr. Archibald Hart
Sleep: It Does a Family Good by Dr. Archibald Hart
Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons (Episode 126: Rhythms of Renewal with Gabe and Rebekah Lyons)
House, Home, and Hospitality:
Home Experience: Making Your Home a Place of Love and Peace by Devi Titus (Episode 15 The Supernatural Power Present While Gathering at the Table with Devi Titus and Patreon 6 Making Your Home a Place of Love and Peace With Author and International Speaker, Devi Titus)
Establishing Home: Creating Space for a Beautiful Life with Family, Faith, and Friendsby Jean Stoffer and September Vaudrey (Patreon 59: Creativity and Career while Raising a Family with Jean Stoffer)
The Living Table: Recipes and Devotions for Everyday Get-Togethersby Abby Turner (Episode 168 Experiencing Joy, Connection, and Nourishment at the Table with Abby Turner)
Relationships:
Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories of Hope and Healing by Mary Pipher
Made for Friendship: The Relationship That Halves Our Sorrows and Doubles Our Joys by Drew Hunter (Episode 90 Friendship with Drew Hunter)
Personal Growth:
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
Hello Mornings: How to Build a Grace-Filled, Life-Giving Morning Routine by Kat Lee (Episode 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee and Episode 84 Ordering Your Priorities with Kat Lee)
You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream: Opening the Door to All God Has for You by Holley Gerth
The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be Youby Holley Gerth (Episode 109 Powerful Purpose of Introverts with Holley Gerth)
There you have it . . . 50 books I highly recommend! And if you’ve ever read another list from me, you already know I love a few bonuses, so here are a few more places to find my additional recommendations:
If you want links to children’s books I recommend, make sure you check out:
Books I am Willing to Pay My Children to Read!
Curated List of Resources for Children
Favorite Easter Activity with Kids
Gifts for Children’s Easter Baskets
My Favorite Gift Ideas for Kids 0-8
For all other book recommendations, make sure you read these articles:
My 10 Favorite Parenting Books
Summer Reading Recommendations, Part Two
Five of My Favorite Books on Sexual Intimacy in Marriage
Let me know if you try any of these and also reach out to share what recommendations you have as well!!
Happy Reading!
Sincerely,
Laura