1. Liberty: A Historical Novel by Dean Hughes 2. Volveré...con el alma silenciosa, poems by Consuelo Gômez 3. The Houses of My Friends by Dennis Smith 4. Lady Flyer by Heather B. Moore 5. Count Me In by Darlene Young 6. Making a Kingdom of It, by Lance Larsen 7. Y Ahora Alma Mía, Qué Te Queda?, poems by Ruben Ransud 8. Wat Kept Playing: The Inspiring Story of Wataru Misaka and His Rise to the NBA by by Emily Inouye Huey, with illustrations by Kaye Kang 9. Nativity DIY Watercolor Kit by Kristin Douglas
1. Liberty: A Historical Novel by Dean Hughes
The tumultuous imprisonment of Joseph Smith and others in Liberty Jail, and their loved ones on the outside, is the subject of this new historical novel by Dean Hughes. It is a recreation of dark days that lead to a glorious revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, that scriptural slap in the face: "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?") (Deseret Book)
2. Volveré...con el alma silenciosa, poems by Consuelo Gômez
with an introduction by Gabriel González Núñez and cover illustration by Indira Deviagge. The first great LDS poet in the Spanish-speaking world was Consuelo Gômez (1896-1967). This important collection of selected poems brings this Mexican artist's work to light and hints at an unexplored landscape of LDS artists. And the poems themselves? Imagine a mixture of Eliza R. Snow and Sor Juana Inéz de la Cruz. (Bookshop.org)
3. The Houses of My Friends by Dennis Smith
The celebrated artist Dennis Smith welcomes readers to his very small, 1940s town of Alpine, Utah, with its little school of 14 students, its farms and families. Unique among illustrated children's books, this lavishly produced volume is a collection of Smith's 28 autobiographical oil paintings. The story, told from the viewpoint of a young person largely unaware of the gravity of world events he is describing decades ago, is nothing short of the Mountain West version of Thorton Wilder's Our Town. (Rooftop Publishing)
4. Lady Flyer by Heather B. Moore
In the latest historical novel by best-selling author Heather B. Moore, a young girl is determined to be a airplane pilot. This is the true story of Nancy Harkness Love, who became a WWII flier despite an era of prejudice against her and a rivalry with another aviatrix. (Bookshop.org)
5. Count Me In by Darlene Young
In her third published volume, the Utah poet slyly, humorously, and deeply ponders universal questions attired in contemporary clothes. Young's verse works are short stories that push and pull between ordinary life and the probing of what mysteries lurk somewhere underneath. (Bookshop.org)
6. Making a Kingdom of It by Lance Larsen
With cover art painting reproduction by Jacqui Larsen – This hot-off-the-press collection of poetry by the former poet laureat of Utah brings 42 poems together in the writer's sixth book. To lovers of poetry—a relatively small but passionate and brilliant corner of the landscape of readers—Larsen's many, many publishing credits by the most important venues for American poetry today give an elegant stamp of approval that is also a knowledgable invitation, as if to say, "Trust me. These meticulously crafted lines can change your world." Available for presale and is coming Dec 7th. (University of Tampa Press)
7. Y Ahora Alma Mía, Qué Te Queda?, poems by Ruben Ransud – with an introduction by Gabriel González Núñez and cover art by Daniel Martinez. Ruben Ransud (his pseudonymous last name is composed of his initials merged with "Latter-day Saint" in Spanish) was a poet from Uruguay whose elegant works describe a life (1953-1996) spent in search of meaning and beauty. The book is another in a series of important volumes that seek to safeguard the literary works of LDS authors in Spanish. Bravo. (Primera Herencia)
8. Wat Kept Playing: The Inspiring Story of Wataru Misaka and His Rise to the NBA, by by Emily Inouye Huey with illustrations by Kaye Kang
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, little Wat wonders how the country of his grandparents could attack his new homeland. Facing racism in Ogden, Utah, Wat presses forward by playing the game he loves, basketball, and he keeps playing until he becomes the first non-white player in the NBA. This is the perfect illustrated children's book for young sports fans. (Bookshop.org)
9. Nativity DIY Watercolor Kit by Kristin Douglas – Each year, you bring out the holiday decorations, including at least one pride-of-place nativity set. But how about making your own? This simple nativty kit by Kristin Douglas includes an outlined drawing of the Holy Night mounted to a board, with watercolors and paintbrush. (Etsy)