The Thoughtful Home

by Dia Boyle

Without doubt, a good home is of great importance to the happiness of our families. Rapid and profound cultural changes over the past century have left us without a reliable template for creating such a good home, leaving us at the mercy of a consumer culture which values efficiency, productivity, and comfort above the true human good. Consequently, many who do the work of making the home find themselves frustrated, anxious, and lacking in confidence. In these pages, author Dia Boyle accompanies her readers in an engaging inquiry into the nature and purpose of the home, offering criteria for determining—for their unique circumstances—what contents, designs, routines, and practices will help them to accomplish this essential project. She shines a bright light on the beauty and necessity of the intentional process of personalizing one’s home and creating a masterpiece of peace, welcome, participation, encouragement, faith, respect, and unassuming warmth. Dia shows her readers that creating such an abode is propelled by a vision to foster an environment in which one’s loved ones can flourish and thrive. Anyone involved in the work of making a home, regardless of age and ability, family circumstances, homemaking styles, and professional commitments, will find The Thoughtful Home useful and illuminating.

Genres: Nonfiction

180 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2024

Reviews

[Emily Strom · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Friday night, I had made plans to watch a movie with my friend Theresa, and she asked if we could go to Dr. Boyle's house beforehand for a small gathering. That night, Mrs. Boyle told us about this book she recently had published, and it seemed like the thing to do to buy her book and get it autographed. I really didn't know what to expect from the book, but it certainly exceeded my expectations.

I often read a non-fiction book for my own edification at the same time that I'm reading a fiction book, and usually, I breeze through the fiction books. The non-fiction books always take months, and sometimes, a whole year, for me to finish them. But this book I finished in about two weeks, and I was always excited to keep reading it. I hurried to finish it today so I could let a friend borrow it and read it.

There are so many good reflections here about what makes a home, recognizing that everyone has unique circumstances. And throughout, the tone is delightfully conversational, making you feel as if you are sitting down for a cup of coffee with the author. I'd say this book would be a particularly good read for someone who is engaged as they think about what they want their future home to be like.

[Kate Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for everyone who lives in a home and cares for the flourishing of the people within it - whether working primarily outside or inside of it, whether religiously motivated or not. It speaks to the heart of the task and the challenges we face in a culture that is working against us. I definitely recommend this book!

Now to make my home a place to encounter the tangible world and its truth, beauty, and goodness, a home less distracted by the virtual world, seeing fully the people in it and their needs.

[Courtney Denker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a perfect study on why our home life is so important and what it means to be intentional about creating a home culture that supports your family values and needs. Dia Boyle shares innumerable thought-provoking nuggets I won’t soon forget.

“Our family homes should be open to the world in hospitality, but not determined by the world.”

“What will I promote or discourage, require or forbid, so that my family will flourish.”

“Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

4.5 stars