Scholé Every Day: How to Be a Thinking Mom

by Brandy Vencel, Abby Wahl, Mystie Winckler

As a busy mom, it's easy to think you don't have time to read. What if you didn't have time not to read? The time will quickly come when your children need you not to be the kisser-of-scraped-knees, but the counselor and sounding board. When that time comes, you need to have wisdom to share. You need to be grounded in truth and unintimidated by contrary ideas. Your kids need you to grow with them. They need you to be comfortable exchanging ideas. We prepare now for the teen and grandma years by reading widely, thinking deeply, and applying faithfully.

Genres: Education, Personal Growth, Parenting

274 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2025

Reviews

[ladydusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on https://ladydusk.com/book-review-scho...

I had the opportunity to read this book before it was on GoodReads because it was officially pre-publication.



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 wrote 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 …

[Heather Tully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read wisely, think deeply, apply faithfully… because I’m human, because it honors Christ, because it equips me to serve others & because rest is good. thank you, Schole SIsters &, bravo- well done!

I especially loved the encouragement that schole isn’t selfish. It equips us to serve others & delight in God!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Scholé isn't about achieving a narrow definition of material success, resume credentials, or usefulness. It is about knowing, and knowledge touches all of life."

Excellent encouragement and exhortation as I continue my own journey of self-education.

[Laura Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came out just when I needed it. A wonderful reminder of the practicalities of Proverbs 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”. Will read again. Recommended for the classically homeschooling mom.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a reminder and encouragement to me that I am not alone in the books I read and the ideas I'm contemplating. I am part of a larger community and there is such a great sense of both camaraderie and a spur to press on in this good work. Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.

[Lindsey Finton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a book that will help you feel the importance of personal reading and study and encourage you to keep plodding in it as a wife and/or mom, this book is for you! Brandy, Abby and Mystie do an excellent job of conveying the importance of “Schole” and how it’s vital for a Christian woman to be a reader and thinker so it comes out in our caring for our people. I appreciated their humble use of Scripture and good literature to inspire women to make better use of our time for the blessing of others.

I also appreciate that this book is specifically for women. The cover art of the homemaker on a stool gives the impression of a hardworking woman taking a few moments to improve her mind. There is no pretending like they ought to be teaching men.

If I could ask for one thing to be discussed, it would be the role of the husband in his wife’s learning, and some thoughts on how to honor him as her head.

[Lerato Ramotsamai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer on the benefits of self education for adult women, and reading to grow as a person.

It's aimed at moms but I think any person who intentionally lives in community with others would benefit from it too.

I would recommend it to someone who says they want to read more but is struggling to be motivated to get on with it.

If you're alreading on the reading bandwagon, I would recommend Cindy Rollins' Beyond Mere Motherhood instead.

Although I didn't learn much that was new, the book was full of good reminders and it connected some ideas in ways I hadn't heard before. So it was still an edifying read.

It also added to my TBR list, as any good book on reading should. Although I do wish they had given a longer list of recommended reads.

I would have given a 3 1/2 rating if I could.

I love and wholeheartedly agree with the message of the book (and I admire the Schole Sisters), but I was a bit dissapointed with the execution of the book.

I'm sympathetic though because it can't be easy to write a cohesive book by three authors but ladies are wise, seasoned readers, and I'm sure their contribution will be encouraging (particularly to moms in the trenches).

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of the year is... um... in the books? 🤔🤷‍♀️ And since I can't go out and buy a copy for every single mama in my circle, can I just make a blanket recommendation that you should take the time to read this book?

2025 was not a year of very much nonfiction; what was there, was fairly centered on cancer and grief. Now that I'm starting to feel like I can rub two brain cells together again, this book helped me to remember that even just ten to fifteen minutes carved out of the margins of your day can help you grow.

There is a lot more here to unpack, especially on the topics of schole, acedia, and leisure, but that is the takeaway I can give you for the moment. I may come back to the topic when Josef Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture stops haunting me from my shelves. 😅

[Ashley Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Being a good mother isn’t just about keeping people fed and clothed, it’s about being a fit adviser for whatever life and culture throw at the people we live most, especially our children.”

“Our children need us to grow in wisdom more than we need to scroll on our phones”

This was a great book on the why and how to read more deeply and widely as a busy mom. I would definitely recommend it to many especially those before their kids schooling years to make a habit of reading and self education before life, as it inevitably does, gets so much busier than you think it is now.

It could have been shorter and more concise, some repeating of ideas, so one star from 5.

[Emilie Rudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book renewed my desire to pursue excellence in my calling, investing time, effort, and care for God’s glory and my family’s good. If I want my children to receive wisdom, truth, goodness, and beauty, then I must first be filling my own mind and soul with those things. I cannot pour out what I haven’t taken in.

Highly recommend as a thought-provoking read for anyone seeking to “read widely, think deeply, and apply faithfully”.

[Stacy Atherton Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book 10 stars!! It was amazing from start to finish. While I almost never agree with 100% of what is presented in a book, I can't recall a single thing that had me in disagreement while reading this one. I love this podcast and always come away with a longer want-to-read list. I believe our culture could be changed so much for the better if we as moms (and, of course, dads and kids) spent more time reading and thinking and discussing ideas. We can learn and change and grow and become better versions of ourselves through self-education.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! These gals are inspiring me to dig deep in seeking rest through thoughtful and diverse reading versus the usual excuses of turning to technology. I was inspired and challenged to take my self-education more seriously this year.

[Hannah Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and inspiring, and one of the best arguments I’ve ever read for why reading difficult books is important. I really enjoyed this, and I’m hopeful it will help influence my book choices in the future.

[Veronica Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging read perfect to encourage your book list for the new year. Nothing they said was radical, or new—but all put in one place ready to get you reading and thinking. Would recommend to any mom needing extra encouragement in the realm of independent learning.

[Myersandburnsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, accessible and encouraging. The authors did a great job and I appreciate reading each of their chapters. This book will inspire moms to read, to discuss their books with others and to maybe even start a book club.

[Anna Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every mom should read this book.

[Courtney Shevchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I absolutely loved this.

I've long been a fan of the concept of "Mother Culture"- taking care to nurture and grow your brain and heart as you pour into your kiddos, but this book was all the spiritual reasons why it's so important to keep pursuing wisdom and knowledge.

This will probably become a yearly read for me. ❤️

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one. Didn’t agree with some theological things, but overall, the book was incredibly enjoyable, interesting and inspiring. Probably my favorite book from this year so far… and now I feel inspired to read and learn even more.

[Cara Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read. I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters.

[Kyndra Lemke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book convicted me of my consumeristic intake of books, AKA book gluttony, but before that harsh reality check I was encouraged to rethink how I view books and the need behind reading well.

“We don’t want to get caught up in thinking that the point is a perfect reading plan or having read all the books or attained some superior level of insight. The point of our learning, of our scholé living, is digging into all of life with interest, attention, and energy, investing the talents we’ve been given because God has promised a tenfold return on our efforts in the life to come.”

“We want to be picky, because life is too short to read bad books.”

As moms we need continued education to share wisdom with our kids as they mature and navigate this world. There were so many valid points offered in this book, motherhood is not a prerequisite.

“Another reason we moms teeter on the edge of burnout so often is because we are plagued by perfectionism. Perfectionism says we must deny any progress until said progress is complete. Because our progress will never be complete in this life, perfectionism keeps us stuck in a state of perpetual discouragement and frustration.”

I was encouraged to read widely and beyond my normal genres with easy guidance to get started, and without the pressure that I’m behind. Highly recommend this book and I will be reading it again.

“When we read widely, think deeply, and apply faithfully, we are transformed. Transformation happens when we are living our ordinary lives and carving out time for scholé, seeking truth, goodness, and beauty by reading, thinking, discussing, and reflecting.”

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prefacing this review with this-I love the schole sisters podcast and loved this book! I’m only knocking off a star because of my own bias and I’m feeling cranky, but can we cool it with the Charlotte Mason quotes?! That’s my only complaint. Yeah, maybe I need to read the CM volumes myself (Schole Everyday does encourage stepping out of your intellectual comfort zone), but sometimes it feels like CM is framed as the *only* one who has the keys to the right way to homeschool kids, so I personally was a little tired of her being quoted in nearly every chapter (this is also my current opinion, which may change, after also recently reading For the Children’s Sake). SE is not a homeschool book per se but is written by homeschooling moms to other moms who most likely homeschool, but it’s great for any woman/mom who wants to self-educate.

They quote other scholars throughout like Sertillanges and Adler and other great philosophers. Obviously the authors are well-read and BRILLIANT. I love how the book is laid out (Read Widely, Think Deeply, Apply Faithfully). I am reading this book as part of a book club with other moms and I think that is the perfect setting to read this book - with others. I am going to go read another book now, take notes, pray, and apply faithfully from my daily schole. Maybe I’ll even mature enough to read and appreciate CM someday.

[Andrea Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I have listened to Schole Sister’s podcast and have heard them “preach” on these ideas repeatedly I still enjoyed this book greatly. You can’t be reminded enough what a blessing to your life books can be when you read widely and deeply and are able to apply what you gain from books both fiction and nonfiction to your life faithfully. Highly recommend this as a gift to moms who maybe in a season where they do not feel like they can read or don’t see the benefit of it. I think it will encourage those mommas tremendously!

[CLC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

I've been following the Sisters for many years and was so excited to have much of their wisdom distilled into one book. Scholè Everyday did not disappoint! I often struggle with practical ways to " read widely, think deeply, and apply faithfully". This book gives many practical suggestions as well as inspiring wisdom so that I can better form my why for reading and Scholè. The sisters exemplify the true brilliance they write about as they share their light of wisdom and seek to point to Christ who is Wisdom itself

[Trina Narankevicius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried about the 3 different authors, as sometimes multiple authors can lead to clunky reading, but this book maintained unity and perspective as it encouraged moms - and humans! - to deep reading. As evidenced by liberal quotations from the greats like Augustine, Aquinas, Aristotle, Josef Pieper, Isaac Watts, Lewis, etc., the authors themselves read with an admirable depth and distill the pertinent ideas from the often challenging quotations with eloquence and humility. A fantastic read for moms who want to read deeper but are a little nervous to begin.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scholé means “Time spent pursuing truth, goodness, and beauty
through reading, thinking, discussing, and reflecting.”

One does this through reading widely, thinking deeply, and applying faithfully.

I do believe the title could be changed from “Thinking Mom” to “Thinking Woman” because most of the content of this book applies to just being a woman, or even just a human. I found it encouraging and yes, inspiring. There are a few generalizations and/or stereotypes that made me roll my eyes, but I could ignore those and move on (recognizing them for what they were).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that would be great for all moms to read! It is encouraging and challenges moms to be thinking moms who read books and learn great things.
It also has an index in the back of all the books that they quote (in addition to the information being at the bottom of the page). This is really helpful as you try to scribble down things that are really interesting while you are reading!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to read this book! The SS have been pivotal for my growth as a thinking mom. Starting out our homeschooling experience doing a curriculum because it seemed all the Christian’s did it and then finding them when I did was Providence. I completely changed the trajectory of my children’s education and my own as well. Pure GOLD.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. So much wisdom and down to earth advice. This is a great one stop shop for a lot of lessons that the Lord has been teaching me over a few years. I enjoyed this book even more because the ladies at church used it as the first book for our new book club and it was wonderful all the way around. I really appreciate Mystie, Abby, & Brandie’s work.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the Schole Sisters podcast, and this book is full of the ladies’ collective wisdom about the benefits of reading widely, thinking deeply, and applying faithfully. Highly recommend for women who want to grow in wisdom through self-education.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound-a book on how to be a thinking mom made me think. I really enjoyed this: intentional and proactive reading leads to worship. Reading widely, thinking deeply and applying faithfully transforms us to know Truth and Wisdom, making us more like Christ. Highly recommend to all (not just moms!)