THREE NEW HOSPITALITY & HOME BOOKS!

We all know there’s no place like home, but this year we have spent an extraordinary amount of time holed up in our houses. (Some of us do not mind this one bit.) 😬 So when I saw three new books on homes and hospitality were being released this autumn, I thought it would be timely to choose one and remind myself what hospitality truly is and how I can make my home more enjoyable for all. I may have “accidentally” bought all three…

“Hospitality is not inviting people over to our perfect homes. It is inviting them to our imperfect hearts.” Edie Wadsworth

I’ll admit, 2020 has been a tricky one. Opening our homes up has been challenging at best, but perhaps when we remember that it starts with our open hearts, we can “be inventive in hospitality” as it says in Romans 12:13.

And what better time of year to get inspired with ideas for cozying up with our loved ones than fall? I was pleasantly surprised to see how different these three books are, even though they all hit on similar topics. There’s seriously something for everyone here—and I hate to say it, but Christmas is just around the corner, and all of these make great gifts. PLUS, as a little extra “hospitality and home” love, I’m giving away a hardback copy of HOME MADE LOVELY by Shannon Acheson to one of my monthly newsletter recipients… you can sign up HERE if you’re not already a subscriber. I think you’ll enjoy it!

So here are my quick reviews on the books… and my Amazon affiliate links are on the titles in case you want to grab a copy (full disclosure here) which means I get a tiny commission while you pay the best price for any of them:

WELCOME HOME by Myquillyn Smith

(A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round)

I’m a huge fan of The Nester (also known as Myquillyn Smith) and thoroughly enjoyed her previous books: The Nesting Place and Cozy Minimalist Home. In her brand-new offering, she shows us how “letting our homes reflect the seasons as they come” is the most beautiful and natural way to decorate and enjoy our homes. Divided into spring, summer, fall, and winter, each section includes decorating tips as well as suggestions for hosting celebrations in that particular season. Filled with conversational-style narrative and gorgeous photos from her own fixer-upper home, this is a book to keep handy all year round!

HOME MADE LOVELY by Shannon Acheson

(Creating the Home You’ve Always Wanted)

Canadian interior decorator and blogger, Shannon Acheson, presents a home decorating book that combines how-tos with the why’s. She says “decorating our homes should be about those who reside inside them, not creating a magazine-worthy spread”. Asking who we are doing it all for and delving into Scripture for inspiration, this book covers topics such as organization, budget decorating ideas, home styles, and even a few of her favorite recipes. A wonderful home decorating resource!

EXTRAORDINARY HOSPITALITY FOR ORDINARY CHRISTIANS by Victoria Duerstock

(A Radical Approach to Preparing Your Heart Home for Gospel-Centered Community)

Victoria Duerstock’s thoughts on “using our homes as a missional extension of living out our faith” are honest, heartfelt, and practical. Her topics cover Biblical hospitality, cleaning tips and tricks, creating space in our schedules, decluttering, and a meal planning section with 40 easy-yet-delicious recipes… I’m excited to try some of them out!

I hope you’ll check out at least one of them for yourself or as a gift—and let us know in the comments of any other great hospitality and home books we should read!

For now, let’s stay cozy and love one another well,