Book Review: Scholé Every Day

On my recent trip, I read three books; two by friends.

On the way to Boise, I finally finished Joelle Carnes’ The House Party at Calridge Manor. Joelle grew up in my church (she was a student in Jason and my Sunday School class at one time) and is now married to an OPC Pastor. She has begun writing books and while this book is imperfect, the kernel is good and I think with more practice her romances will be good stories. The plot was very good here, the characters interesting, a little more polish on the writing itself will improve the overall quality. I gave it 3 stars on GoodReads.

On my way home from Boise, I finally finished Consider The Lilies by Elizabeth Cadell. I do love a mid-20th Century Gothic Romance and this one was good. I will admit that I kept setting it aside over the course of the year, but once I really got going, it was easy to power through even on a late-night flight to Columbus. I’ll probably try some more Cadell as I see her daughter is republishing her for Kindle. I gave it 4 stars on GoodReads.

Whilst I was in Boise, though, I had the opportunity to read a book that is not yet on GoodReads because it’s officially pre-publication. Brandy, Mystie, and Abby – the Scholé Sisters – have written a book! Scholé Every Day: How to Be a Thinking Mom.

You can see from the flags, that I loved it. What did I love?

I loved that it’s super readable. Don’t get me wrong, they are building a strong argument for and guiding the reader on a path to better reading and, through that, living. The Sisters use clear, readable language, sentences, and structure to help the reader along while making the argument that reading and interacting with texts is good and necessary.

I loved that, though having blogged for years themselves, it doesn’t read like a blog. I remember my disappointment with Lit! lo those many years ago (2012!) and have shied away from many blogger’s books since. This is not that. This is a book written in book form. Each of the three chapters in each section is an essay on an aspect of scholé. They start with the basics and grow the argument – what is scholé, why do you need it, how do you practice it, why it’s imperative, and its fruit. It’s seedling to flower and a beautiful progression.

I loved that, though I have swum in many of the same reading waters over the years, they clarified the books quoted and introduced me to new books. Footnotes are vastly superior to endnotes, and the sisters know that and practice it 🙂 Sertillanges (which I admittedly enjoyed despite the sandwich-making) is clearer after reading this and Watts moved way up my TBR.

I loved that the book is steeped in the scriptures, particularly Abby’s chapters, quoting scripture after scripture about how reading and learning grow our love for and dependence upon the Lord. I love that it’s eminently quotable. I love that I was convicted more than once about picking up, dusting off, and starting again. I love that I was given very specific helps as to how to “Think Deeply” about reading material, which has often been a weakness (Abby challenged me to blog my book reviews more often, so here’s a good start). I loved Karen Glass’ Forward – I read it in her voice. I love that Mystie has a section where she firmly plants the flag of scholé in the woman’s (mother’s) sphere – that section may be strong tea for some readers.

Likely because it was the newest idea to me, my favorite chapter was Brandy’s about the festal nature of scholé; that the overflow causes us to rejoice and true scholé is not miserly but generously abounds to others:

“That it results in celebration which “The ultimate result of reading widely, thinking deeply, and applying faithfully is a deep affirmation of life and creation.” (pg 202)

“Every celebration runs to excess–excess of food, excess of drink, excess of song, excess of time and energy expended– because our God is excessively good.” (pg206-207)

“This is about using our resources to give richly to our family and community. In our daily scholé, we receive bountifully, which means we have much to give. Our cups runneth over.” (pg 207)

Mothers, homeschool mothers, mothers-to-be, teen women – this book is for you. It says that you not only can – but must – love learning because in that effort you learn more about your faithful God and the work he has for you. It helps you trust Him and begin the process of gaining”… strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18–19) Scholé, in reliance on Christ, bears wisdom.

Scholé Every Day doesn’t give you a command without walking with you down the way, though. The sisters move the weeds and clear the overgrowth to get you started and help you pack the tools you’ll need. Brandy, Mystie, and Abby have become philosopher, guide, and friend for you in Scholé Every Day; I hope you will take them up on the offer.

I’m writing this on October 13. 5 Stars. I was honored to be allowed to be one of the (if not the) first to read it between October 8-11, 2025 and be given a copy for free by my friends. It’s not like I won’t be purchasing copies, though …