The following is a list of some new Christmas books available this season:
"THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER," by Glenn Beck, Simon & Schuster, 304 pages, $19.99
Twelve-year-old Eddie knows that since his father died, things are tough for him and his mother, but all he wants for Christmas is a bike. What he gets instead is a sweater — "a stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that young Eddie leaves in a crumpled ball in the corner of his room.
Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand the value of what he already had, Eddie plummets into a dark and painful place. It would take wrestling with himself, his faith and his family — and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell — before Eddie finally sees the significance of his sweater gift.
The book, which author Glen Beck says is largely autobiographical, is about redemption. "The message of 'The Christmas Sweater' is that redemption isn't just a word — it's a gift that can transform you life. It transformed mine."
"GRACE," by Richard Paul Evans, Simon & Schuster, 316 pages, $19.97
Evans' latest book tells the poignant story of a young girl who has been abused by her stepfather, has left her home and is helped and protected by two young brothers who secretly house her in their homemade backyard clubhouse. The book is set in the 1960s.
Evans told the Deseret News that he didn't start out to write this story. But the book is an expansion of his charity work, and he hopes to start an initiative to help older kids who are aging out of foster care.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ... 150 Christmas Cards You Wish You'd Received," by Karen Robert, Harper Collins, $14.95
This entertaining book is a collection of funny and touching Christmas cards from across the nation. Robert, an interior designer and mother of four, looks at cards throughout the year as sources of inspiration. She reviewed tens of thousands of cards to select the best 150.
She says that cards have really changed in the past decade — with the advent of the digital age.
Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to SMILE TRAIN, an international organization that provides surgery for cleft palate children.
"THE MIRACLE OF THE WOODEN SHOES," by Deborah Pace Rowley, Deseret Book, 32 pages, $18.95
This is a simple and tender book about Christmastime miracles. The story is set in Germany, where a family is suffering because of the father has fallen ill.
The family's son, Walter, knows Christmas will not happen this year, and he rebels against following a German tradition of setting out his shoes on the front porch on Dec. 6 to receive gifts from Saint Nicholas. The next day, he wakes up and finds his shoes outside and filled with candles and a note referring to Christ.
Each morning, he continues to receive gifts and messages of peace, love and hope. At the end of the story, author Deborah Pace Rowley includes instructions for how families can offer anonymous service to others. The book is illustrated by Dan Burr.
"THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE," by Nancy Armstrong, Cedar Mill Press, $12.95
In the depth of the Great Depression — December 1921 — 64 percent of New York construction workers were unemployed. However, the John D. Rockefeller Center, still under construction, was one place where there was work.
Grateful for their paychecks, the workers erected the first Christmas tree at the construction site as a way of saying thanks.
This small book contains history and lore of one of the world's most famous Christmas trees.
"SHARING CHRISTMAS: STORIES FOR THE SEASON," a compilation, Deseret Book, 128 pages, hardback, $21.95
There's a mix of both old and new Christmas stories in this beautifully illustrated compilation, including favorites such as "The Gift of the Magi," and Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas."
Other stories come from authors such as Gordon B. Hinckley, Ann Edwards Cannon and Richard Siddoway. This is a great gift for families who love to read and share stories together, with more than 40 different contributions to read.
"CHRISTMAS ROSE," by Robyn Buttars, Deseret Book, 128 pages, $8.95 (paperback)
This is the story of a young girl, Rosie, who lives near a rest home at the edge of town. She interacts with each of the elderly residents of the home and finds a way to share her love with each of them, learning along the way about death and what friendship really means.
The book was written by Robyn Buttars, a registered nurse with experience in geriatrics. Buttars carefully weaves that experience into the book and creates a touching story.
"A CEDAR COVE CHRISTMAS," by Debbie Macomber, MIRA Books, 277 pages, $16.95 (paperback)
In a modern-day twist on the Christmas story, unwed mother Mary Jo Wyse arrives in Cedar Cove on Christmas Eve, looking for her unborn child's father. She is stranded and alone until kind strangers come to her aid.
"A McKETTRICK CHRISTMAS," by Linda Lael Miller, Harlequin Books, 280 pages, $16.95 (paperback)
A historical romance, this novel finds Lizzie McKettrick returning to her home, a ranch in the Arizona Territory, after a two-year absence.
She bringing her beau but starts to doubt her feelings for him when a tragedy occurs aboard the train. She is, however, impressed by a take-charge young doctor that she meets on the train.
"WELCOME TO SERENITY," MIRA Books, 408 pages, $7.99 (paperback)
With a deep family rift, Jeanette Brioche thinks the holiday season is one of misery. She is pushed into helping with the town Christmas festival, and then she also finds a bit romance.
Children's books
"CHRISTMAS COOKIES: BITE-SIZE HOLIDAY LESSONS," by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jane Dyer, Harper-Collins, children's book ages 5-10, $12.99
A follow-up to the bestseller, "Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons," this collection looks at vocabulary words that capture the lessons of the holiday season and relate them to the time-honored tradition of baking Christmas cookies.
A sample:
"Charitable means setting a big batch aside to give to people who maybe don't have any cookies at all.
"Family means enjoying our cookies together."
The book also includes a Christmas cookie recipe.
"JAKE THE BALLET DOG, A MUTTCRACKER TALE," by Karen LeFrak and illustrated by Marcin Baranski, Walker and Company, children's book, $16.99
An encore to "Jake the Philharmonic Dog," this book takes Jake, a terrier mix and mascot of the New York Philharmonic to a performance of "The Nutcracker." Jake is introduced to the holiday classic and some basic ballet terms.
LeFrak, a former nursery school teacher, is a philanthropist and dog lover who hopes to encourage children in cultural experiences. Proceeds of the book will be donated to the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet.
"STANLEY THE CHRISTMAS TREE, A WISH COME TRUE," by R.E. Hughes and illustrated by Anita Saunders, children's paperbook, Pennie Rich Publishing, $14.95
Thirty-five years ago, R.E. Hughes wrote a Christmas story for his infant daughter, Terri. She's grown now with children of her own and Hughes' dream of sharing the hopeful Christmas tale with other families is finally a reality.
The tale is told from a Christmas tree's point of view, focusing on Stanley, who wants wants to be the best Christmas tree ever and bring joy to a family on Christmas morning. Stanley's dream comes true — but not in the way that he envisions.
The book also has an audio version with original songs.
"NATALIE & NAUGHTILY = DOUBLE TROUBLE," by Vincent X. Kirsch, children's book, Bloomsburg Children's Books, $16.99
Kirsch, who was a window designer at New York's Bergdorf Goodman department store, is a painter/sketch artist who has created his first picture book.
The story is of twins Natalie and Naughtily Noops, who live at the top of a department store and take it upon themselves to help their parents on a busy shopping day. Mischief ensues on the store's nine floors.
—Compiled by Deseret News staff