The observant among you will notice that I've doubled the number of books I'm recommending this year. The reason is a little sad; during 2025 I felt compelled to delete my Goodreads profile where I regularly reviewed books and was building a following for my own books. A fellow author decided to give all of my books a 1 star rating significantly reducing my rankings on both Goodreads and Amazon as they are linked. I attempted to resolve this by contacting Goodreads only for them to refuse to remove the ratings and then cut off communication with me. I decided I didn't need the stress.
Unfortunately, my record of reading and reviewing is lost therefore I'm relying on my failing memory!
All of the books here are now on my bookshelf to be kept which means I rated them 4 or 5 stars out of 5. They are in no particular order:
1. Amazon Task Force by Peter Dixon (1984)- Medical and humanitarian mission in the Peruvian Andes of South America.
2. Mud, Bullets and Open Roads by David Robinson (2024)- 50 years of missionary service in Central Thailand, Cambodia and the UK.
3. The Condor of the Jungle by C. Peter Wagner/Joseph S McCullough (1966)- The story of Wally Herron, a man with a vision serving the people of Bolivia in disease infested jungles and amongst lepers.
4. Breath of Life by Patricia St John (1971)- The story of the Ruanda Mission.
5. Mission to the Headhunters by Frank and Marie Drown (2002)- Missionaries in Equador for 37 years witnessing huge changes as they reached the Indians with the Gospel.
6. Letters from the South Seas by Margaret Paton (1894 under a different title)- Author is the second wife of John G Paton missionary to the New Hebrides 1860s-1890s.
7. Triumph in Death by F Graeme Smith (1987)- The Story of the Malagasy Martyrs persecuted for their faith is a good reminder of God's faithfulness in times of trial.
8. A London Sparrow by Phyllis Thompson (2020)- The story of Gladys Aylward, missionary to China.
9. Star Over Gobi by Cecil Northcott (1957)- The story of Mildred Cable's adventures across the Gobi desert.
10. Soaring on Broken Wings by Kathy Bartalsky (1992)- A story of triumph in tragedy and faith made strong through the fires of suffering.
11. The Cross and the Swastika by F.T.Grossmith (1984)- A fascinating account of some of Hitler's men and their last months in Nuremberg. This book looks at the impact of an unknown US army chaplain, Major Henry Gerecke.
12. I Am David by Anne Holm (1965)- David is 12 when he escapes from a concentration camp in Eastern Europe. This is his inspiring story and search for freedom (fiction)
13. Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy by Anneke Companjen (2000 Open Doors)- Important book about the women of the suffering church based on testimonies from the field.
14. Women Who Risk by Tom and Joann Doyle (2021)- Secret agents for Jesus in the Muslim world. Real life stories from Saudi Arabia, Syria, the Gaza Strip and other hot spots.
15. Steps Into the City by Edwin R Orton (2006)- The founding of the Birmingham City Mission.
16. Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha (2017)- The radical marriage of a runaway nun and a renegade monk.
17. As White As Snow by Noel Davidson (2005)-The fantastic deliverance of Debbie Forrest, a desperate drug addict.
18. My Sunflower Girl by Dyran Williams (2019)- Loss, grief and glory. A profoundly moving testimony to God's presence with his people in their darkest hours.
19. Voices of Hope by Fiona Fallon (2016)- The continued story of how the lives of young women are being changed at Hope House, Teen Challenge.
20. Inspired by Simon Guillebaud (2025)- Stories of risk taking, adventure and God's faithfulness. Eight individuals and their modern-day missionary stories.
Happy reading in 2026!
