Bookshelf

Edited by Lisa Colburn

What happens in a women’s writing circle? Community, stories, laughter, tears—the best things that make us human. In this stirring anthology, 43 women writers share poems, essays, and short stories that speak to us of anger and grief, tenderness and joy, longing and reverence, liberally spiced with humor and heart. This collection shows us what it means to be human—in all our strength and frailty, our darkness and our light.

Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Drawing directly from her own experiences, Diane tells stories of growing up in small-town America during the ‘60s and ‘70s, raising children while moving many times all over the country, reluctantly embracing technology, and, of course, the glamorous life of a writer.Fans of Erma Bombeck and Dave Barry will appreciate the (mostly) true tales, leaving you laughing along as you recall the one time when pretty much the same thing happened to you.

Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Your toothbrush and deodorant are in a box marked Basement Storage, and you’re in your husband’s underwear, making Hamburger Helper in a Little Tykes plastic frying pan in the microwave. You’ve just moved. Could things get worse? Probably. But then they’ll get better, especially if you can see the humor in moving.

Susan Davis

The system of “saving the world” is broken—and it’s time to call bullshit. After seeing good intentions lead to bad outcomes in 30 countries, international development veteran Susan M. Davis is challenging the sacred cows of the aid industrial complex. She urges a radical rethink of how Global North outsiders approach social impact, starting with listening to the people closest to the problem.

Sherry Harowitz | Illustrated by Anna Leona

A mischievous kitten explores her family home with boundless energy. She follows her curiosity from room to room, pouncing, playing, and leaving a trail of messy chaos behind her. A mouse follows quietly behind, peeking out from unexpected places, adding an extra layer of humor and interest for observant little readers. Through small misadventures and everyday moments, this warmhearted story celebrates curiosity, family, and unconditional love.

Barbara Leary | Illustrated by Marrieta Gal

An award-winning picture book about appreciating the natural world around us and sharing it with others.  Eleanor learns that climbing a tree is not as easy as a squirrel makes it look, but when she persists, she finds a new world to explore and the diverse inhabitants that share it with her. When her family moves away, Eleanor's heart aches for her beloved tree. Returning for one last visit, Eleanor shows a small boy how to climb the tree, and her act of kindness leads to an unexpected gift.

Maureen Rose Morley

This luminous collection of essays, prayers, and reflections was written by Maureen Rose Morley soon after she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer—just as she had found both her Christian faith and the man who would become her husband. With courage and candor, she writes through pain and uncertainty, arriving again and again at a place of trust, surrender, and unshakable faith. This is an uplifting story of love, hope, and profound transformation.

Dwayne Walls Jr.

A former actor/technician in The Lost Colony, author Dwayne Walls Jr. follows the outdoor drama's 80th production season to give readers a view of the show the audience never sees. With more than 100 photographs, stories from former cast and crew, and the author's poignant observations, it is the first book to cover the show from the perspective of the artists who have brought Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright Paul Green’s outdoor drama to life.

Barbara Leary | Illustrated by Marrieta Gal

On a quiet farm on Christmas Eve, a young girl curls up by the fire with a good book—until a loud crash outside shatters the stillness. With an axe in hand and her faithful woodland animals by her side, she steps into the cold night to face whatever might be lurking in the shadows. Told in lyrical rhyme, A Mysterious Christmas Visitor is a lightly humorous, heartwarming tale of bravery, empathy, and the magic of unexpected friendship.

Barbara Leary | Translation by Camila Larrea | Illustrated by Marrieta Gal

En una tranquila granja, en Nochebuena, una joven se acurruca junto al fuego con un buen libro, hasta que un fuerte estruendo afuera rompe la quietud. Con un hacha en la mano y sus fieles animales del bosque a su lado, se adentra en la fría noche para enfrentarse a lo que aceche en las sombras. Una Misterioso Visitante de Navidad es una historia conmovedora, sobre la valentía, la empatía y la magia de la amistad inesperada.

Barbara Leary | Illustrated by Elena Kochetova

Virginia loves dogs so much she'll do anything to make them happy. Her good intentions don't always go over so well with the grownups in her life, but no amount of scolding dims the sheer joy she feels in the company of canines—until the day she meets a dog who doesn't love her and learns an important lesson about "doggie manners" and loving some dogs from a safe distance. A funny, heartwarming story of acceptance and unconditional love—for everyone who ever loved a dog.

Barbara Leary | Illustrated by Elena Kochetova

A strong-willed toddler alternates between terror and fury when her parents leave her in the care of her grandmother. To Caroline, "Grandmother" is "Not-Mamma," and she SCREAMS at the woman's every attempt to make her happy. But as Caroline's worst fears fail to materialize, and she begins to see her grandmother in a new light. The whimsical art illuminates Caroline's fantastical view of the world, sparking the curiosity of little readers.