Celebrate Christmas
with LDS Authors
By Holly E. Newton
The Christmas season is the season for celebrating Christ and gifts of love. Here is a list of some of the best and newest books from LDS authors that exemplify just that objective.
Let’s begin with two novels that don't concern Christ or Christmas, but that deserve to be read for sheer enjoyment. These are geared for ages 14 through adult:
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Saboteur,
by Dean Hughes, is a thrilling spy novel with all of the adventure and excitement
you’d expect in this type of book. The exception to Hughes' story is that
you don’t have to worry about any inappropriate language or sexual content.
This only proves that once again, a great storyline with quests into dangerous
ventures doesn’t need swearwords or sexual displays to warrant a great read!
The story is set in 1943, and 22-year-old Andy is about to parachute into
France to help convey information from behind enemy lines.
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Yearbook
Allyson Braithwaite Condie, is a look inside the minds and hearts of several
high school students and a teacher. The story cleverly jumps from each
main character’s viewpoint at the beginning of every chapter. You will
have met just about all of these enlightening and interesting characters
by chapter 10. The story moves through the school year with all ten protagonists
returning to future chapters. Not only will you be completely engaged with
this well written story, but you’ll also feel a close connection with each
student and Mr. Thomas (the teacher).
The following books are scripture based,
or inspirational, and are books for all ages:
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The
Ten Virgins, by Emily Freeman, is a beautiful picture book that
takes the well known scripture parable found in Matthew and projects a possible
storyline to go along with it. Freeman has underscored ten influential
virtues that she assigns to each virgin. The incredible paintings, by the
talented Simon Dewey, of each of these ten women are so beautiful and breathtaking
that you’ll ponder and dwell before turning the page. Here is a picture
book that parents should give to every young woman in the Church!
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Isaiah
for Airheads, by John Bytheway, is truly a guide and helpmate for
"the rest of us." How many times do we all complain about trying
to sift through the chapters of Isaiah and not be able to grasp their meaning?
We know it must be important. Prophets of old quoted from Isaiah and many
parables, which might be hard to understand, can be better understood with
Bytheway’s new book. He has broken Isaiah down into simple steps as you
travel through the “Isaiah National Forest.” The number “4” is important
here because his overview of the content is divided into 4 trees, 4 guides,
4 keys, 4 kingdoms and 4 major events. If you’ve read any of the author’s
many books, you’ll already know he’s a gifted, funny and entertaining writer.
This book is no exception. Yes, Bytheway can extract humor from an eloquent
and symbolic prophet, hence the title! Once you sift through the poetic
verses of this Bytheway “forest” you’ll discover that you can tell the difference
from the forest and the trees with an understanding without trying to wrack
your brain for enlightenment! This book is definitely for the airhead within
all of us!
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One
Bright Shining Hope, by Gordon B. Hinckley, is a beautiful collection
of thoughts and short essays affirming and celebrating women. “Believe
in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe
that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm
is so great that you cannot weather it.” The scenes of sunsets, ocean
waves and mountaintops are breathtaking and serve to increase inspiration.
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Come,
Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, by Lloyd D. Newell, is a perfect gift
because it has daily counsel and advice for every day of the year. Every
month begins with an appropriate quote followed by daily guidance. For
instance, July begins with a quote from David O. McKay: “To live in
a land in which each individual has the right to life and liberty is a glorious
privilege.” On the day of April 20th, you’ll find Joseph Smith’s statement:
“We have nothing to fear if we are faithful.” And, below the quote
is an explanation by Newell about fear and doubt.
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My First Story of the First Christmas , retold by Deanna Draper Buck and brightly illustrated by Jerry Harston, is a board book that all youngsters should have in their home. It perfectly tells the story of Christ’s birth and the wise men coming later in time. It even relates stories about the coming of Christ in the Book of Mormon!