Because of my work as a Deseret Book editor, I have the chance to become intimately acquainted with some wonderful books and music, and every year people ask what I would recommend as Christmas gifts. Here’s what I’m telling them this year. And if you see something you like, I’ve gotten permission to share our special “friends and family” offer with all our LRS readers (you’re my friends and family, right?) so that you can get a great deal on what you want! Here’s the link to the coupons.
And here are the titles:
For anyone who loves America:
Seven Miracles That Saved America, by Chris and Ted Stewart
In this great read, the authors have created a unique blend of carefully researched facts and fictionalized storytelling. It’s an approach I’ve never really seen in all my years as an editor. For example, to tell the story of Jamestown, the authors draw you in with a snippet of the story as seen through the eyes of a little girl, one of the settlers of the colony. Then they relate (in a different typeface, so it’s clear when we’re in “story mode” as contrasted with ”historical mode”) a number of facts surrounding the miracles that happened in Jamestown. Back and forth they go, keeping you riveted with the fiction bits and filling them out in a deeply satisfying and informative way with the historical explanations. They close with a convincing exploration of why we should still have hope in this country. This might be my favorite book of the year.
For the grade-school crowd (and other fantasy lovers):
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, by Brandon Mull
Please tell me you’ve discovered Fablehaven by now! Brandon’s writing just gets better with every volume. I love that he doesn’t pull his punches when it comes to vocabulary (he does readers the honor of giving them some words they might actually have to look up, although they can probably guess the meaning from the context, which is how vocabulary is built), but I love even more that he knows how to tell a story and how to create a character and how to make you believe in the world he’s created. Just So Good. THIS might be my favorite book of the year.
For the fiction lover:
The Undaunted, by Gerald N. Lund
The pioneers got here! Welcome to the valley! Happily ever after, right? Not quite. What if, once you’d finally gotten your home the way you wanted it and your business built up and your crops in and your family truly settled, the prophet asked you to pull up stakes and head into the wilderness to set up a community amidst hostile Indians and notorious outlaws? And what if the journey that was supposed to take six weeks stretched into six months? It’s true. It’s the pioneer story I’ll bet you didn’t know. And it comes from the skilled pen (all right, word processor) of the unparalleled Gerald N. Lund (Work and the Glory). If you’ve been longing for a novel you can really sink your teeth into, with Lund’s trademark interweaving of factual accounts with a great fictional story, one that will fill you with awe for the sacrifices made by the early Saints, this is your book. It’s my favorite book this year. (Oops. Hmm. Well, it’s like asking me to pick a favorite child. They’re all my favorites—for different reasons!)
For the Church history buff:
The Joseph Smith Papers: Revelations and Translations, vol. 1
It’s like they just opened up the Church vaults and invited you in to take a peek at the handwritten revelations that were recorded as they fell from the prophet’s lips. But it’s even better than that, because it actually provides you with a library-quality copy of those original documents! There is a spirit in these pages that is almost palpable. You cannot imagine it, really—you just have to see it for yourself. This is the most important book I bought for our home this year.
For the lover of Christmas:
Christmas Once Again, music CD, by Hilary Weeks
I love a sing-along Christmas album, and there’s no one more fun to sing along with than Hilary Weeks. I love Hilary’s voice, her friendly style, and especially her testimony, which always, always comes through when she sings. This fresh, spirit-filled album is a perfect addition to the season–a great blend of new songs and traditional favorites. The intermingled “First Lullaby” (new from Hilary) with “Silent Night” just took my breath away. I love to crank this album up and join Hilary in song while I’m baking Christmas treats!
For the romantic:
The Hourglass Door, Lisa Mangum
Can a novel be intelligent and gripping and well written and page-turning and really romantic all at the same time? Believe it. This is the first romantic novel this side of Jane Austen that I have felt completely comfortable putting into the hands of my teenage daughter (who devoured it and came raging at me for the sequel). But she had to pry it out of my hands first!
For anyone:
The Continuous Atonement, by Brad Wilcox
Not since Believing Christ has there been a book that made the blessings of the Atonement easier to understand and to explain than this one. Brad’s analogy of the sacrament prayer (it has to be perfect, but the priest gets as many chances as he needs to say it right) is so clear and memorable, I have found myself using it over and over in teaching situations. Yes, our ultimate goal is perfection, but Heavenly Father is there for us every single time we need to start over. This is the most helpful and hopeful message I’ve read in a long time, especially for people who seem mired in the same old problems. (And aren’t we all that way about something?) You’ll want it for yourself, but I also think it’s a must-read for parents and Church leaders.
For my girlfriends:
I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer, by Emily Watts
You need a laugh, right? And a little perspective? And a chance to think about potentially important things in small chunks—kind of like reading a really meaty blog? Okay, yeah, I’m the author—but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a really fun book!
There it is. I hope you find a new favorite on this list. Merry Christmas!
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