USFWI Reading List 2026-2027
“Flourishing in Faith, Love, and Peace” --Psalm 143:8
FICTION
The Call of Living Water by Alexis M. Melvin. A wonderful story of God reaching out in the most remote areas. The story takes place deep in the jungle of Paraguay, where worshiping tribal gods results in costly sacrifices. It follows the life of Suai as she discovers the love of Jesus and risks her life to share it with others. $18
These Tangled Threads by Susan Loudin Thomas. Set in the shadow of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, this book follows three friends as their lives intertwine with each other. It paints a picture of the lives of the people who kept the estate running through their craftsmanship of weaving and woodworking. Lies, betrayal, abandonment, hope, love, and redemption all come together to weave a beautiful story. $18
My Beloved by Jan Karon. It has been seven years since Jan Karon has written a book about the beloved town of Mitford. The relationship between Father Tim and his wife, Cynthia, continues to be the heart of the story along with other charming familiar characters. The story is heartwarming and captures the importance of family and community. $32
The Frontier Chrysalis by Barbara Schell Luetke. Quaker Charity Wright Cook, daughter of feminist Rachel Wells Wright, traveled up and down the Atlantic Coast, over the Appalachians, and to the British Isles and Europe as a Quaker minister. She overcame rape, disownment, and misogyny during a troubled time in Friends history. The novel was written to share Quaker history and the lives of eighteenth-century women. $30
BIOGRAPHY
Remember My Story by Claire Sarnowski with Sarah Durand. This book tells a beautiful story of a special friendship. A story of love and light that touches the essence of humanity. The dedication of a compassionate young girl and a Holocaust survivor who were instrumental in getting a senate bill passed to mandate Holocaust education in Oregan schools. This book is a good read for youth and adults. $10
Even If by Bart Millard & Shannon Millard with Robert Noland. Even If is an encouraging book that challenges us to grow deeper and more resilient faith during difficult times. It shows us what it looks like to trust God even, and perhaps especially, when going through struggling times. This book has been made into a movie, but read the book first. $25
Still Here by Mary Beth Chapman & Steven Curtis Chapman. Their music is well known, and their tragedies are well known. But what we learn from them is the endurance their relationship holds. Still Here is their take on marriage, on parenting, on the lives we live and the promises we make. The Chapmans’ story is one of total dependence on God’s grace and goodness, on His faithfulness and forgiveness, and His readiness to redeem every outbreak of brokenness. $23
Charity Cook – A Liberated Woman by Algie I. Newlin. This book is an updated edition of the original 1981 book. It includes typographical corrections and a slightly updated cover image. An index is included to aid readers. Charity Cook led a remarkable life and became one of the foremost traveling ministers holding the Religious Society of Friends together during a tumultuous time in history. $25
GROWTH AND CHALLENGE
The Miracles Among Us by Dr. Marc Siegel. This book explores the profound and mysterious crossing of faith and medicine. It shares stories of patients who have witnessed remarkable miracles in pursuit of healing. This book offers up an enlightening exploration of how miracles manifest in everyday life. $30
Can You Just Sit With Me? by Natasha Smith. Everyone grieves differently and there is no set timeline for the process. This book will lead you through the process of grieving through practical exercises and prayers with personal stories from the author. Whether it is the loss of a child, parent, pet, job, relationship, or any other kind of loss, this book provides a healthy way to grieve. $21
The Faith to Flourish by Christine Caine. Using the image of the olive tree, this book shows what it means to live a rooted, resilient life of faith. It is a book of encouragement and sound wisdom and a reminder to trust God in the process of growing your faith. $30
Feasting on God’s Word by Kristi McLelland. Come to the table and feast on God’s word. This is the theme for Kristi McLelland’s book where she weaves together passages from Scripture, images form the Holy Land, and experiences from her own life to give insights into the historical and cultural contexts of the Bible. $27
BY AND ABOUT QUAKERS
Welcome Friends by Anton Flores-Maisonet. This book weaves stories of welcoming immigrants – from detention centers and immigration courts to everyday welcome of strangers who become friends. With the clarity of a social worker, the tenderness of a father, and the conviction of a faith-rooted activist, Anton invites us into the sacred work of radical hospitality. $17
Simple Joy by Marlene Morrison Pedigo. Each chapter in this book focuses upon the story of a New Testament woman in ministry, the witness of a historic Friends woman minister and the author’s personal experience of ministry in the Friends Church. The book was written as a personal devotional and then hopefully shared with others. $15
A Tender Time – Quaker Voices on the End of Life by Patricia M. Nesbitt & Kristin Camitta Zimet. A Tender Time is a unique collection of Quaker voices, historical and contemporary, that explores practical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of aging and dying well. It illustrates how individual Friends make end of life decisions guided by the Spirit and Quaker values. $18
Margaret Fell’s “Women’s Speaking Justified” by Paul N. Anderson. Written in the prison of Lancaster Castle in 1666, this book stands out in world history as the first sustained exegetical defense of women in public ministry. Paul N. Anderson has rendered this classic and historic texts in a readable form, highlighting the biblical passages referenced and also expanding upon how the universal ministry of all believers can be understood more fully and meaningfully, as followers of Jesus seek to live into their spiritual callings with personal clarity and corporate support. $19
USFWI READING LIST - 2025-2026
“Love in Many Languages” -- 1 Thessalonians 2:8
FICTION
A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. The Bible is filled with inspiring stories of unlikely candidates that God chose to change eternity. This historical fiction follows the lives of five women, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary, as they lived daring lives and often made big mistakes. Their stories still hold great meaning and guidance for us today. $20
The Forge by Chris Fabry. The Forge is about the power of prayer, the transformation only God can achieve, and the lasting influence one person can have on others. It is the story of a single mom who sees her child drifting away and turns to prayer and God to believe the impossible. This book was recently made into a motion picture and highlights the impact a mother can have on her child’s life. $18
The School Mistress by Tess Thompson. This story, based in the year 1910, follows Quinn Cooper on a train headed West to accept the position of schoolmistress in a small town in Colorado. She faces difficult travel of the day, the task of providing for her family back home, and the responsibility to instruct the children living there. The book is a sweet love story with a mix of mystery. The characters are well-developed and set a good example of kindness throughout the book. $18
The Traveling Prayer Shawl by Jennifer Lynn Cary. A sweet story about letting God heal all our fears, bitterness, and poor decisions. The faith in God and love of family and friends shine in this book. Everyone knows the only way to survive life’s problems is to wrap them in prayer. $16
BIOGRAPHY
Finding Baby Holly by Holly Marie. Finding Baby Holly is the true, inspiring story of a wife and mother who was “missing” for over forty years after her parents’ murders, the persistent detectives who never stopped investigating and the birth family who never lost hope in finding her. It is an incredible story of how powerful faith and family are in your life. $19
Worth Celebrating by Miriam Dixon. This is an unusual book as it is a biography of a book, Celebration of Discipline. The original manuscript was written longhand on a yellow pad in a small Oregan town by a Quaker pastor describing twelve ancient Christian disciplines. This spotlighted the superficiality that had come to characterize Christianity and ignited the spiritual formation movement. This is the story of how a book can change a subculture. $23
Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose. Darlene Deibler Rose was a Christian missionary in Papua New Guinea during and after World War II. During the war, she survived 4 years in a women’s prison camp, her husband did not survive the war. Her Christian faith sustained her during those years. After the war, she remarried and continued her missionary work in New Guinea. $17
The Watchmaker’s Daughter by Larry Loftis. This novel is one of the greatest stories of World War II. Corrie ten Boom, a female Dutch watchmaker, and her family saved the lives of hundreds of Jews – at the cost of their own lives and survival in a concentration camp. She not only survived but forgave her captors and lived the rest of her life as a Christian missionary. Her ability to forgive is a testament of her faith. $22
GROWTH AND CHALLENGE
Everybody Always by Bob Goff. In Everybody Always, Bob shows you the simple truths about life that have the power to shift your mindset. Bob teaches you that the path forward is found in one simple truth: love people, even the difficult ones, without distinction and without limits. Learning to love as Jesus did is something we should all strive to do. $20
God Never Gives Up on You by Max Lucado. Struggling with doubt, insecurities, self-worth? This book will fill you with God’s grace. Through the example of Jacob, Max gives us a lesson on God’s perfect plan to use imperfect people to do great things. $20
Pray First by Chris Hodges. This book is a guide to revitalizing your prayer life, making prayer a daily priority, and experiencing deeper intimacy with God. No matter what you are doing throughout your day, praying first keeps you tethered to the One who loves you most. To know God at a deeper level you should: Pray without ceasing, Pray with other people, and always Pray First! $20
Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman. The average woman speaks over 20,000 words a day – not to mention the ones she types online! Often our words land us in a heap of trouble. This book will help you define gossip, think before you speak, and regard what the Bible teaches us about our speech laced with grace, as sweet as honey, and yet seasoned with salt. $20
BY AND ABOUT QUAKERS
Palestine and Israel: Understanding Encounters by Max L. Carter. This book is a sequel to Max Carter’s book Palestine and Israel: A Personal Encounter, also published by Barclay Press. The first book covered Max’s experiences in and about Palestine and Israel from 1970 to 2006. The Sequel draws from his experiences and posts from two dozen trips to the region since then, including the annual Friends United Meeting “Living Letters” service-learning trips that he and his wife Jane lead. $30
Close to the Surface by Bethany Lee. Written by a Quaker pastor, the author recounts her family’s story, her own uncertain pilgrimage, and the courage it takes to sail over the horizon and find your way home. The journey is beautifully written. $27
The Quakers by Captivating History. It is always good to know how we started. The Quakers is a great read of the history of the Quakers from pre-colonial America through modern times. It highlights the contributions made to the abolitionist movement, disaster relief and peace movements. $15
Step by Step by Rigaud and Penn. After Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954, a group of Black mothers in the small town of Hillsboro, Ohio, marched their children to the white school, demanding admission. After being rejected, they repeated the walk the next morning and every morning after that for two years. During the two years, these students were homeschooled by their mothers with the help of a Quaker teacher. This book highlights these elementary students who became activists, even if they did not realize it at the time. $22
USFWI READING LIST 2023-2024
Rooted in love; more than we can imagine. (Ephesians 3: 17b-19)
FICTION
The Orchard by Beverly Lewis. A peaceful, heartwarming story of a young Amish woman’s journey through the conflicts of the Vietnam War and the uncertainty of her future in the family orchard. $18
A Changing Light by Edith Maxwell. As the nineteenth century nears an end, midwife Rose Carroll uses her resourceful sleuthing to unravel a masterfully complex mystery. The story shines light on how women were treated and mistreated by people they trusted. It’s a fascinating look into faith, culture, and small-town life. $15
Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin. This is a wonderful story of courage, love, and faith. It is the story of three women whose lives are instantly changed when war invades their lives. $17
The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom. What would we do if, after praying for divine help, God actually appeared before us? This is an uplifting story that will leave you pondering your own beliefs, while suggesting that answers to our prayers may be found where we least expect them. $19
BIOGRAPHY
American Familia: A Memoir of Perseverance by David A. Morales. This is a wonderful memoir in which a father tells his life story to his teenage sons. It is a story of family, faith, and perseverance. $17
A Sea Between Us by Yosely Pereira and Billy Ivey. This is the harrowing true story of Yosely Pereira and his incredible journey to escape the brutal bonds of communist Cuba and start a new life for his family. $18
The Cabin at the End of the Train by Michael V. Ivanov. “Sometimes the things we run from are the very things we should be moving towards.” This book is not actually a biography but a story that blends true events from the author’s personal life into a story to inspire better living. There are many life lessons and insights to pursuing your dreams. $15
GROWTH AND CHALLENGE
The 40-Day Feast by Wendy Speake. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 These 40 daily devotionals will help you to taste and see how to apply God’s word into your daily life. $18
Mothers & Daughters of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream. This book examines the lives of biblical women to show God’s plans in their lives. These journeys end in greater peace and joy than we could ever imagine. $27
Live in Grace--Walk in Love by Bob Goff. Start each day or end each day with an inspiring teaching on grace and love. Bob Goff gives you a daily devotion to inspire love and trust in the Lord. $27
Praying Scriptures for Your Adult Children by Jodie Berndt. Parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world, and it doesn’t stop when our children reach adulthood. Parents with children of all ages will find wisdom and encouragement to keep you spiritually connected to your children as you read each chapter. $19
A Journey through Grief, Loss, Hope & Recovery by Deb King. Grief comes to us in many forms and touches all our lives. This book will give you the tools to find joy amidst heartache and survive the journey to recovery. $20
BY AND ABOUT QUAKERS
An Invitation to Quaker Eldering by Elaine Emily and Mary Kay Glazer with Janet Gibian Hough and Bruce Neumann. This book will help guide, enrich, and nourish elders, new and old. Each chapter ends with queries for reflection allowing the reader to discover their own understanding. $25
Messages to Meetings by Brian Drayton. Writing letters of instruction, encouragement, and challenges has long been part of Quaker history. Brian Drayton hopes that these letters will be useful for individual reflection or meeting conversations. $15
Quakerism: The Basics by Margery Post Abbott and Carl Abbott. The Basics is an introduction to the history and diverse approaches and ideas associated with the Religious Society of Friends. $23
Following Reflections for Your Journey with Jesus by Alan Amavisca. Alan Amavisca has spent over forty years as a missionary. His Quaker background has deeply formed his commitment to prayer and Scripture. Each reflection begins with Scripture, challenging the reader with new insight, and ends with a query that will prompt personal application. This book of reflections will encourage you to search deeper to live out your own service to the kingdom. $20
Order Books on Reading List from your USFW Literature secretaries or:
Barclay Press Bookstore, 211 N. Meridian Street, Newberg, OR 97132
800-962-4014 www.barclaypressbookstore.com
Order USFWI Literature Supplies from:
USFWI Literature Secretary: Jan Dough, 2541 Old Lexington Road, Asheboro, NC 27205
Instructions for supplies: Your USFW Literature Secretary will have Blueprints, Calendars, and Reading List books for sale. If you place an order for supplies with the USFWI Literature Secretary, supplies will be mailed, and an invoice will be emailed or mailed at a later date with postage costs included.
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USFWI Reading Lists 2022-2023
UNITED SOCIETY OF FRIENDS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
Abounding in Hope (Romans 15:13)
FICTION
The Beginning by Beverly Lewis. A heartwarming story that will lift readers’ hearts and offer a genuine glimpse into a young Amish woman’s life journey through the challenges of enormous loss. $17
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional redemptive, all-consuming love. $16
Sold on a Monday by Kristina Mc Morris. Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned a nation, Sold on a Monday, is a powerful novel of love, redemption and the unexpected paths that bring us home. $16
The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson. “Bent but not broken.” The Winter Rose is a story of love, loss, redemption, and the inescapable injuries of war. This story honors the effects of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker organization which helped rescue thousands of Jewish children during World War II. $16
GROWTH AND CHALLENGE
The Best Gift by Walt Larimore, MD. More charming stories from a family physician in a rural, small-yet-growing town. Filled with characters colorful and crusty, warmhearted and hotheaded, witty and winsome, these captivating stories glow with drama, heartbreak, warmth, love, and humor. You’ll learn some of life’s greatest lessons. And you’ll wish Dr. Larimore was your doctor. $17
Everyday Faith for Daily Life by Jan White. Jan White has written a weekly religion column for over 25 years in the Andalusia Star-News and the Enterprise Southeast Sun. In this book, Jan shares personal experiences, inspirational stories, and practical lessons from her life that have increased her faith. $15
The Well-Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles. Using scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools to not only know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys Him, seeks Him, and follows Him into freedom. $20
When Women Pray by T.D. Jakes. Today’s women carry more influence than in any other generation—so it’s critical to learn how we can find our identity, strength, healing, and voices in Christ! Drawing lessons from the lives of 10 biblical women, Jakes challenges this generation to continue our progressive march to empowerment by “dreaming like our daughters and praying like our grandmothers.” $17
BIOGRAPHY
Finding Chika by Mitch Albom. Mitch Albom’s intimate and heart-warming memoir about what it means to be a family and the young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change his heart. $17
Lemons on Friday by Mattie Jackson Selecman. Lemons on Friday is a beautiful and raw depiction of what grief can look like and a hopeful testament to how God can take life’s most painful situations and weave them into an incredible masterpiece. $20
Live in Love by Lauren Akins. In this refreshing and inspiring memoir, Lauren Akins, the wife of country music star Thomas Rhett, shows what it’s really like to be “the perfect couple” fans imagine and reveals what it actually takes to live in love, stay in love, and grow together. $18
The Way of the Father by Michael W. Smith. Grammy Award winner Michael W. Smith offers a deeply personal reflection of his father Paul Smith’s legacy and its profound effect on every area of his life. Through the life and lens of his earthly Dad, the multi-platinum selling Christian artist gives glimpses of a Father in Heaven that anyone can approach and experience. $26
BY AND ABOUT QUAKERS
Palestine and Israel, by Max L. Carter. A Personal Encounter. When Max Carter followed in the foot steps his Great-Aunt Annice Carter to go to Palestine and Israel in 1970, little did he realize what an impact it would have on his life. Max shares stories of his time teaching at Ramallah Friends School and the many trips back over the years. This book gives one a deeper understanding of this part of the Middle East and the work of Ramallah Friends School. $16.00
A Call to Friends by Marty Grundy. To better understand a deeper relation with the Spirit, Gundy suggests that we go back to the early Friends. This is our call and our challenge, to listen to that inward Light, to keep close to what it shows us, and to come in to obedience to its guidance—as a gathered body. $15
Hope and Witness in Dangerous Times by J. Brent Bill. This book invites all people of faith to consider how our personal and communal faith practices in growing deeper spirituality should bring us to a fresh engagement with the needs of this world. $11
Led by the Light by Mary Glenn Hadley. This is a must read by every member of the USFWI. After graduating from nurses’ training, Mary Glenn Hadley traveled to Kenya, Africa, to serve in a Friends mission hospital. She shares both the challenges and the triumphs of her twenty years in Kenya. The lighthouse became a symbol of both her dedication to following Jesus in her own life journey and her commitment to be a light to others. $11
Reflections from the Inner Light by James R. Newby. In this book of Quaker spirituality, Jim Newby writes about his spiritual journey and the ways he has sought to navigate an increasingly complex world and understand his purpose in it. Each chapter concludes with queries to encourage readers to reflect upon their own spiritual journeys. $17