The United Methodist Women’s Reading Program
The Reading Program encourages members to think critically about current issues through an annual selection of member-reviewed books. It offers an excellent opportunity to deepen your spirituality and to broaden your understanding of our mission work.
100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s and Age-related Memory Loss by Jean Carper (2014)—I haven’t read this one, or if I have I forgot. The title is intriguing enough. Even if you aren’t in the reading program, you might want to pick up this one.
Unplugged: Ella Gets Her Family Back by Laura Pedersen (Children’s Book) (2014)—This is a timely children’s book about a family divided by smart phones and video games. An easy, entertaining read to complete your reading requirement in this category.
Alone and Invisible No More: How Grassroots Community Action and 21st Century Technologies Can Empower Elders to Stay in Their Homes and Lead Healthier, Happier Lives by Allan S. Teel, MD (2013)—I have read this one and found it intriguing, even if I am not completely convinced. It is a project in Maine, and gathering some ground elsewhere, to use video cameras and volunteers to help seniors stay in their homes rather than being placed in nursing homes.
Allow God to Wear Your Face by Alice G. Knotts (2012)-- Award-winning author describes how caregivers can come alongside and walk with those who are sick instead of preaching or giving advice. Her practical wisdom, shared through stories, guides people to facilitate healing of relationships, emotions, spirit and body.
The Immortal Live of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (2012) (Audio and Print)—A phenomenal New York Times bestseller about a woman whose cells have lived way beyond her death in 1951. HeLa, as scientists call them, became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance.
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (2011) (Audio and Print) Mesmerizing tale of the unlikely friendship between a homeless black man and a wealthy businessman.
Caring for Mother by Virginia Stem Owens (2010) – The author gives a clear and realistic account of caring for an elderly loved one. Along the way, Owens notes the spiritual challenges she encountered, not the least of which included fear of her own suffering and death.
SOCIAL ACTION
Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman.
Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan
EDUCATION FOR MISSION
Faith and Struggle on Smokey Mountain: Hope for a Planet in Peril by Benigno Beltran.
The Golden Cage: Three Brothers, Three Choices, One Destiny by Shrin Ebadi
NUTURING FOR COMMUNITY
Bully.com by Joe Lawler (a novel for young readers)
January First: A Child’s Descent into Madness and Her Father’s Struggle to Save Her by Michael Schofield
Whatever Happened to Dinner? Recipes and Reflections for Family Mealtime
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
No Longer Silent: The Empowering of Women in the Gospels by Susan Dehn Matthews
LEADERSHIP
Sum it Up: 1,098 victories, a couple of irrelevant losses and a life in perspective by Pat Summitt
Tough Cookies: Leadership Lessons From 100 years of the Girl Scouts by Kathy Cloninger and John Wiley
