A Wayfare Gift Guide
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Need help finding the perfect book? Here are a few Wayfare staff members recommend for kids, adults, and everyone on your list:
In soaring blank verse, Brighter and Brighter until the Perfect Day reimagines the entire scope of existence from premortal life through the creation, the fall, mortality, the Atonement, and beyond. This gorgeous epic poem blends theology (including the cherished Latter-day Saint doctrine of a Heavenly Mother), science, and imagination in a way that is thoroughly engaging and provocative.
Referring to Orson F. Whitney’s prediction that Latter-day Saints would “yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own,” scholar and writer Michael Austin writes that “the wait may well be over. Sharlee Mulllins Glenn, with her remarkable new epic, comes closer than any poet ever has to being a Milton of our own.”
Melissa does several things in this beautiful book, both spiritually and physically (stunning cover art by Lisa DeLong) and at times she’s doing all of them at once. Her words are encouraging but also sobering, naming daunting problems while also shining a light on resources to address them that we share as members of the Church. This is an excellent book for anyone why feels weary of the struggle, and for everyone who looks for hope in our community. —Lori Forsyth
We are now nearing the two year anniversary of Melissa Inouye’s death. Those two years have done nothing to diminish the significance or beauty of her concluding memoir, Sacred Struggle. A grouping of loosely-related essays, Sacred Struggle is Inouye’s penetrating meditation on opposition, mortality, racism, history, and all that makes us human. It is as close as LDS theology has come to a meaningful theodicy in many years and is a resplendent work of personalized theology. Inouye is one of our most gifted practical theologians and this is a work that will subtly shift your view of the gospel and whose lessons will linger with you long after you’ve finished the last page. —Tyler Johnson
To add to J. Kirk Richards’ lovely cover image, Adam Miller provides settings for several interesting images in this compact volume. He begins each chapter with a description of a Christmas photo that develops in our mind’s eye as if it’s coming out of the the chemical bath in a dark room, and follows it with his characteristic clarity on important gospel ideas. The book is brief enough that you could easily read it every Christmas eve, and profound enough that you’ll want to. —Lori Forsyth
Kate Bowler was studying the prosperity gospel—that is, the idea that God will give us health and wealth when we do what’s right—at Duke Theological Seminary where she was diagnosed with terminal, metastatic colonic cancer. The resulting paradoxes become the subject of her first memoir: Everything Happens for a Reason, and Other Lies I’ve Loved. This book is equal parts autobiography and theological treatise, and it is entirely thoughtful, insightful, and genuinely laugh-out-loud hilarious. Bowler writes in a style that somehow manages to be simultaneously breezy and deep, wistful and clear-eyed, sardonic and poignant. If your loved one reads this book, it will very likely become their new favorite and may change their life. —Tyler Johnson
Adam Miller is the Ernest Hemingway of LDS philosophy and theology—that’s to say, his prose is so spare and economical as to seem occasionally forbidding or aloof. But don’t let that distance fool you. In Original Grace, Miller has penned perhaps the most meaningful work of LDS theology since the Givens’ The God Who Weeps. Miller frames his project here as an “experiment” in Latter-day Saint theology to emphasize that his conjectures here are just that. But he then proceeds to unsettle most of your assumptions about God, humans, salvation, and the purpose of life. Weaving together his theological insights with reminiscences about his elderly father, Miller asserts a novel and spectacular version of LDS cosmology and eschatology that reframes most of our popular notions about concepts as varied as the plan of salvation and eternal justice. In doing so, Miller puts forward a sense of eternity that is both revolutionary and familiar. It is a deeply moving—and hugely important—work. —Tyler Johnson
Martyr! follows the story of Cyrus Shams, a queer Iranian-American poet. After his father’s death, Cyrus struggles to find meaning in life, first turning to alcohol, then developing an obsession with death and martyrdom. His quest finally leads him to explore the mysteries of his family’s past--including the tragic plane crash that killed his mother when he was still an infant.
Beautifully written, harrowing and hilarious, Martyr! was one of my favorite books this year. As soon as I finished the book, I picked it up and started it again. It is at turns both funny and heartbreaking, and the language breathes and moves as it tells the story. As a bonus, the audio book version features a stellar performance by Iranian-American actor Arian Moayed. —Jeanine Bee
You’ve read Steven Peck’s essays in Wayfare, but if you haven’t picked up any of his fiction, now is the time!
Peck claims that Heike’s Void is a novel full of questions, and I would be inclined to agree. When a terrible river rafting accident changes the lives of the main characters, they begin a journey that forces them to consider questions of love and hate, of worthiness and forgiveness and pride. What is a soul? Is a person just made up of their choices and experiences? And what is right when everything you thought you knew is lost? Part thriller, part theological exploration, Heike’s Void is a book that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I finished it. —Jeanine Bee
In the growing universe of memoirs written by those stricken with cancer, When Breath Becomes Air still shines as perhaps the brightest supernova. Paul Kalanithi is a neurosurgery resident at Stanford University when he develops back pain and, having never smoke me a cigarette, effectively diagnoses himself with deadly metastatic lung cancer. Over the next years, he simultaneously learns the craft of neurosurgery, marries and starts a family, and, blessedly, pens a heart-breaking memoir. Though Kalanithi died ten years ago, this slim volume still stands as one of the most poignant, wise, and elegiac memoirs in recent memory. Kalanithi’s prose sparkles and his insights into the nature of time, mortality, and meaning evince a wisdom that belies his young age at the time of his diagnosis and subsequent death. Never to be taken lightly, this book will work its ways into the heart of many readers, lodging there and continuing to work its subtle effect for many years. —Tyler Johnson
“Many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible” (2 Nephi 29:3).
There is more Bible. We suspect that the NSRV, or New Revised Standard Version, is the most quoted Bible translation from the General Conference pulpit--and for good reason for it. The proverbial whole enchilada--plain prose, grounded in the original, and enormously informed--the NSRV has arguably set and elevated the standard for English-language study Bible for more than a generation; the scholars responsible for the translation and extensive footnotes represent Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christian groups as well as Jewish scholars for the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament. The governing dictum for the translation: “As literal as possible, as free as necessary.”
This year give the gift of new understanding to the Bible for the 2026 and 2027 Come Follow Me curriculum. Treat yourself and pair this study edition with Robert Alter’s translations of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
The fifth edition (2018) of the NSRV is now available for about $32. —Ben Peters
This book has been out since 2018, but I’ve bought multiple copies of it for my kids’ elementary school teachers every year. It made me tear up the first time I read it to my kids. It speaks to racism (and tribalism) in a way that is really gentle, and after reading it, it was very easy to open a discussion with even my young kids about racism. It seems even more relevant now as we’re trying to be peace-seekers in the world. —Jeanine Bee
Lullaby for the King, by Nikki Grimes, 2023. Animals travel from across Palestine, carrying a gift for the baby Jesus. This book represents middle-eastern cultures and the beautiful poetry provides a new way to experience the nativity. The illustrations are stunning, and the book includes an original composition at the end. —Katie Lewis
Silent Night, by Lara Hawthorne, 2018. Incredibly illustrated, readers can read the words of the famous carol while watching the story of Jesus’s birth unfold. The world’s diversity is reflected in the cast of characters, and the true story behind the carol’s origins is told at the end. —Katie Lewis
The Tree that’s Meant to Be, by Yuval Zommer, 2019. With charming illustrations, this tells the story of a tree that doesn’t grow like all the other trees. People arrived to cut down their Christmas tree, but this tree was left alone. When forest animals came to decorate the tree and sleep underneath it, the tree felt tall for the first time. You can also find this book published in multiple languages. —Katie Lewis
Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares, 2017. Red and Lulu are two cardinals who love living together in a large evergreen tree near New York City. One year, Red left to go find food and Lulu stayed in the tree. When Red came back, the tree had been cut down. Where was Lulu? The story is Red’s journey through all of New York City to find Lulu. If you love New York and Christmas, you will love this heart-tugging story. —Katie Lewis
Finding Christmas, by Lezlie Evans, 2017. This is such an adorable story about Hare, Mouse, and Squirrel who find a sick swallow left in the snow. When the animals bring the swallow inside their home, they find the true meaning of Christmas. —Katie Lewis
The Legend of the Poinsettia, by Tomie DePaola. This is the Mexican legend behind why the poinsettia turns red around Christmas time. DePaola’s illustrations capture the culture and art of Mexico, the story behind the flower of the Holy Night, and a little girl’s yearning to give the right gift to Christ. —Katie Lewis
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express, by Maudie Powell-Tuck, 2017. Gorgeous book with interactive cutouts and flaps to explore. This tells the story of Mia who cannot see her Grandpa on Christmas and it’s too late to send him a card. At a Christmas market, she enters a mysterious door, hops on a flying reindeer, soars across the world, and finds her Grandpa. This is a heartwarming story for families who are apart for the holidays. —Katie Lewis
The Gift of Nothing, by Patrick McDonnell, 2005. This isn’t necessarily a Christmas book but I always put it out at Christmas time. Mooch (the cat) desperately wants to give Earl (the dog) the perfect gift. You might rethink your Christmas gifts after reading this book. —Katie Lewis
The Tale of the Three Trees, by Angela Elwell Hunt, 1989. This is a retelling of the classic folktale with incredible illustrations. Three trees dream of what they want to be when they grow up. Though each tree is cut down and repurposed, the tale shows how each tree took part in the life of Christ and fulfilled their dream. I cry every time I read this! Don’t buy the board book version; it’s worth it to see the original illustrations. —Katie Lewis
The Queen and the First Christmas Tree, by Nancy Churnin, 2018. This is a true story about Queen Charlotte and her tradition of decorating a yew tree that she brought to England. She was different from other princesses, and this book shows how she used her unique talents to help others. —Katie Lewis
Christmas Is Coming: An Advent Book, illustrated by Katie Hickey. There are so many great advent books, but if you want an advent book for younger children, this is a great place to start. The front cover has flaps to open, one for each day till Christmas. Inside are recipes, craft ideas, poems, carols, and shortened versions of Christmas stories. Every page is delightfully illustrated. —Katie Lewis
How Winston Delivered Christmas, by Alex T. Smith. For older children, this is an illustrated advent book told in 24 1/2 fun chapters about a mouse (Winston) on a Very Important mission to deliver a letter to Santa that didn’t make it into the mailbox! With each chapter on Winston’s journey, there are crafts and recipes to make and things to learn along the way. This book includes international traditions, a Christmas scavenger hunt, and more, all while wondering whether Winston will be able to deliver the letter! Perfect for families who want to read a chapter each night in December. —Katie Lewis
Not sure what books to get the bright reader interested in everything?
Try the Little Histories series (Yale UP) for the young reader still at home. (For those skittish on atheism, we recommend skipping the philosophy version.) When in doubt, start with Gombrich’s (eurocentric and classic 1936) A Little History of the World.
Try the Very Short Introduction (Oxford UP) series for the reader seeking their education. Hundreds and hundreds of titles of not perfectly even but often excellent quality. For the smart nonspecialist that is all of us.
Looking for a proverbial education--half jokes, all knowledge treasure trove--within 700 pages and one cover? Consider the dated classic: An Incomplete Education.
—Ben Peters
A monumental debut book in digital criticism.
Seeking for a Virgil to guide you through the contemporary inferno-heaven that is our digital age?
Not know how to square the fact that nearly every person alive appears to both despair at the effects of the internet at the same time that you’re reading about that despair right now on the internet, and have no better escape?
Anton Barbar-Kay--a rising intellectual in the broadest catholic sense and a rare voice with the substance to see beyond the both-and conundrums of our now digitally reconfigured everyday life--has penned Web of Our Own Making, an incisive scholarly analysis of the digital human condition. In it the intrepid reader will see knowledge, culture, politics, aesthetics, and theology reconfigured, and critically reclaimed, by what Barba-Kay calls “the natural technology” of digits. For the serious reader not looking for easy answers but deeper understanding, an antidote and alternative to the doomsayer and investment-hype cycle of what Nate Oman calls our current hellscape’s business model.
—Ben Peters
When nonfiction is wilder than fiction.
Many Wayfare readers will know Jorge Luis Borges’ Ficciones, famous for their erudite, gnostic short stories remarkable for conjuring fictional other worlds with his signature cosmos-encompassing mathematical imagination. Noting that, of course, fictions are also true in a sense, what if this season we could discover one step further: what if one of the defining characteristic of a Restoration worldview is a better imagination made real? What of, in other words, Borges’s real-world imagination?
This year give the joy of Borges’ selected nonfictions: the second of a three volume English translation of the Argentine writer, his selected nonfictions have all the world-expanding imaginations of his Ficciones anchored in the soil of the real world. Soar with Borges’ learned visions of real-world film reviews, capsule biographies, book reviews, personal essays, dictations to his main works, commentaries on the great works in the Western tradition across the twentieth century, and more. Take a sneak peek here.
—Ben Peters
Happy gifting, and Merry Christmas from Wayfare!
—The Editors