Best Little-Known Books of 2012

So I'm going a little wild today... and recommending books published in 2012. What? Since when do I read anything published after 1960?

2012 was a fantastic year for publishing and for women authors in particular. I actually had to seek out male authors to even out the list! (Ladies: looking to publish a book? Now's a great time! If you need a little advice, feel free to ask—I'm no expert but I do work at a publishing house and I can tell you what I know!)

Here's my informal "Best Books of 2012," with a few stories along the way.

Memoirs

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My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell. A lovely memoir about the author's "friendships" with saints long dead and the effect these great women had on her. (Bonus: here's a great interview with her about the book!)

Style, Sex, and Substance edited by Hallie Lord. This book is a compilation of ten Catholic women's stories about living their faith in the modern world. I held a book club party for it, which was a lot of fun! Each story was insightful, relatable, and beautiful.

Letters to Gabriel by Karen Santorum. Originally published in 1998, Ignatius re-released it this year. Warning: have tissues handy, this book will make you cry.

My Brother the Pope by Georg Ratzinger. The pope's brother wrote this memoir about growing up with the pope and their close friendship. It's the closest thing we have to the pope writing his own memoir and offers a lovely portrait of brotherly love and family life.

History/Current Events

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Breaking Through: Catholic Women Speak for Themselves edited by Helen Alvare. In the face of a media culture that paints religious people as bigoted or brainwashed, Catholic women are being called to tell their own stories—to explain why their faith brings them not oppression but peace, hope, happiness and joy. This is a book of such stories.

Bad Religion by Ross Douthat. So, I'm kind of biased on this one because Ross is my very favorite writer and I kind of want to be him when I grow up. I've met him and heard him speak, and in this book, he gets American culture and religion spot-on. It's incredible how he sees straight to the heart of an issue (in this case religion) and explains it in flawless prose. *Sigh* I'll try not to swoon...

The Road to Freedom by Arthur Brooks. I didn't used to be interested in economics but this book changed my mind. Brooks makes a great case for free but responsible enterprise and how it helps every one of us. It's a great introduction to economics if you're not familiar but want to learn more.

Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI. Pretty much anything the Pope writes is pure gold. This is the third and final volume in his Jesus of Nazareth series and it focuses on Christ's birth and childhood—perfect for this time of year.

Advice

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The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After by Elizabeth Kantor. Have I talked about this book yet? It was great. I must have said a hundred times while reading it, "I wish someone had given me this book in high school!" It's chock-full of wisdom and I'm buying a copy for every teenage girl I know (seriously—it's an easy Christmas present for Jenna, and I gave one to Caroline already!).

The Temperament God Gave Your Kids by Art and Laraine Bennett. When I recommend this book, I'm actually recommending the whole Temperament God Gave You collection. I learned about the classic "four temperaments" pretty recently and found these books so helpful. The philosophy is fascinating and the temperaments system is a great way to understand other people.

Philosophy

Adam and Eve after the Pill by Mary Eberstadt. In it, the "intimidatingly intelligent" Eberstadt takes on the sexual revolution and lays out what it has done to our society. Again, haven't read it yet (I know... lame...) but I've heard the author and others speak on it and it's high on the to-read list. 

On the Unseriousness Of Human Affairs by Father Schall. I haven't actually read this yet (although I'm looking forward to it) but Father Schall is The Man and his last lecture made me cry. I've heard this is his best work yet.

For the Kids

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The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas by Michael Keane. Do you know the NORAD Santa Christmas story? It's absolutely darling. Here's the account on their website:

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

Isn't that sweet? I love the origins of that tradition and would love this book for my little siblings. I think it would go over especially well with more science-minded kids.

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Land of the Pilgrim's Pride by Callista Gingrich. The second of the Ellis the Elephant series, this book is filled with whimsical illustrations and gentle rhymes that introduce little ones to America's founding colonies. A very sweet book to inspire children with patriotism.


That wraps up my "Best Books of 2012" list! What others would you recommend?

Also, please feel free to join my Christmas decorations link-up... yes, it's way after Christmas... procrastinators unite! ;)



Note: I'm not getting any compensation for recommending these; I just think they're awesome!

The Best Love Poems

In honor of Valentine's Day, I compiled a list of the best love poems, tailored to various situations. I hope you enjoy them!

For the light and playful love which is built nonetheless on a sturdy foundation... Sonnet 18 from William Shakespeare.

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

For the lovers whose souls are intimately, inextricably intertwined... Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda.

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

For the lovers who must be apart from each other, because of distance or time... i carry your heart with me(i carry it in by e e cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

For the high-minded and noble love... How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

For the one who foresees suffering and troubles ahead, but is confident that Love will last... Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare.

SONNET 116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

For the fanciful, fairy-tale-like, and rather excessively dramatic love... Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe

[excerpt]
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

For the lovers who have been married to each other for many years... John Anderson, My Jo' by Robert Burns (see here if the words don't make sense to you).

John Anderson, my Jo, John,
When we were first acquent,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld, John, 
Your locks are like the snow;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson, my jo!

John Anderson, my jo, John,
We clamb the hill thegither; 
And monie a canty day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand we'll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot, 
John Anderson, my jo.

For the lover who is fighting for a greater cause... To Lucasta, on going to the Wars by Richard Lovelace

Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase, 
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore; 
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not Honour more.

For the lover who keenly senses that time is fleeting... Bright Star by John Keats

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art 
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night, 
And watching, with eternal lids apart, 
Like nature's patient sleepless eremite, 
The moving waters at their priestlike task 
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores, 
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask 
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors; 
No yet still steadfast, still unchangeable, 
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast, 
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell, 
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest, 
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath, 
And so live ever or else swoon to death.

For the wife who feels well-satisfied in her choice of husband... To My Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more we may live ever.

For the man who has a tendency to idolize the woman he loves... She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light 
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face; 
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow, 
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

And finally, I will close with a quote from my very favorite play of all time, Cyrano de Bergerac, discussing "What is a kiss?"

After all, what is a kiss? A vow made at closer range, a more precise promise, a confession that contains its own proof, a seal placed on a pact that has already been signed; it’s a secret told to the mouth rather than to the ear, a fleeting moment filled with the hush of eternity, a communion that has the fragrance of a flower, a way of living by the beat of another heart, and tasting another soul on one's lips!

You say obscure, I say awesome

Six obscure and awesome books:

6. Follow My Leader
I taught myself Braille in the sixth grade because of this book. 'Nuff said.

5. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew

All I'm gonna say is, this book is not about vegetables. (Pepper is a last name.)

4. Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates

Honor, loyalty, compassion, healing, and ice skating on frozen Dutch canals. Perfect!

This book is also noteworthy because it is the source of the legend about the Little Dutch Boy who saves Holland by sticking his finger in the wall between the land and the sea.

3. The Velvet Room


I haven't read this book since probably the 7th grade, but it still stands out in my mind because of how much it made me think. I loved it and still do.

2. Dinotopia by James Gurney

This was one of my favorite books growing up. It's impossible to choose whether the fascinating plot or the elegant illustrations are better.

1. King of Shadows



My sister's all-time favorite childhood book. It made us ardent Shakespeare fans and inspired us to memorize Sonnet 116. It's worth reading, if only to hear your kids walking around reciting "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds..."

10 picture books that are a lot of fun

1. Curious George by H. A. Rey

It's funny, colorful, and sweet. You'll smile every time you read it.

2. Eloise by Kay Thompson


This isn't really a kids' book but rather a book for "precocious grown-ups" as Thompson says. Eloise is the child I wish I had had the guts to be.

3. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey


My dad's favorite. Every morning when he dropped me off at school, he used to say "Don't forget to make way for ducklings!"

4. Strega Nona by Tomie DePaolo


A clever old witch, a trouble-making teenager, and a magical pasta pot star in this funny, unique fable.

5. Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

There are some criticisms of these books, notably that they are imperialist, present an idealistic view of the world which is unsafe for today's kids, etc. I don't know how true those are. All I know is that I loved Babar when I was a kid. What's not to love about an elephant in a suit?

6. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey


A very simple story, but one that my friends and I all loved as kids. A short, easy book for begninning readers.

7. The Boo Baby Girl Meets the Ghost of Mable's Gable by Jim May

This little-known book is hard to find but it's absolutely hilarious at any age. Adults and kids will have a good laugh.

8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle


This classic book may be too plain for older kids, but will be hugely popular with little ones. They'll probably want to pretend to be the caterpillar. It's also a good way to get them to finish their veggies- "Pretend you're the very hungry caterpillar! Now, wouldn't he eat his spinach?"

9. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak


My dad actually has this book memorized from reading it to us so many times. It's that good. Warner Bros. is making a movie, and I hope it lives up to the creativity and magic of the book.

10. Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne


No words can describe its sweetness and universal appeal. Just read it.

5 "Girl" Books that Guys might actually Love

Good luck getting your guy friends (or more likely your boyfriend) to read Gossip Girl or Twilight. You might have a little more luck, though, with these books.

What gives these books such a universal draw? For one thing, they actually have, you know, depth. The writers are gifted. The meanings are complex and profound. I love Edward Cullen as much as the next girl, but these books are on a whole different level from that kind of glorified romance novel.

Girl or guy, these are books you won’t regret reading.

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Its greatest strength is its vibrant characters. I won’t give anything away, but I promise you will never forget Aunt Sissy. Entertaining and profound, this book makes you look at your world differently, again and again.

2. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

It's everything you could ask for in an adventure, from flashing sword fights to madcap escapes. It's written in the most clever and unique style. You simply have to love it.

3. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

The ultimate work of romantic literature? Maybe. But it’s no cheesy romance novel. It has enough action to satisfy most guys. It also packs in some powerful history lessons and makes them memorable -  I credit this book entirely for my 5 on the US History AP exam (and also with my classmates wanting to murder me when I referenced it in class every. single. day).

4. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Part of the Little House on the Prairie series, this is a seriously good book in its own right. If you want to know what courage is, if you want to see persistence, determination, and hope made real - and if you want to feel justly proud of our American ancestors - read this classic.

5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

In the words of my friend Jack, “Pride and Prejudice was so good that I’ll never turn down a book just because it’s supposedly 'for girls' again.”

Of course it's not for every guy. Still, I’ve met enough guys who really enjoyed this book to recommend it strongly.  I even knew a professor in college who reread these books annually as examples of brilliant writing and human psychology - and he was a guy.

If worst comes to worst and you can't find yourself interested in this book, you might enjoy Pride and Prejudice and Zombies instead.

That’s only four of probably hundreds of books. Guys, what other so-called “girl” books have you enjoyed? Girls, what “girl” books do your guy friends secretly love? Are there any guys who will admit to secretly loving Twilight?

5 books that every little girl should own

1. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

This is the classic, of course. It's the book that tells us "all girls are princesses." More importantly, it shows girls what it means to be a true princess, to be brave and kind even in the face of cruelty and suffering. This is a book that will grow up with you; it's as enjoyable at age seven as at forty. As much an example of good and gracious living as a lovely story, this book should be read often by every girl.


2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

There's something about this book that makes it always fresh. It became my instant favorite when I first read it at age 10, and I love it even more now than I did then. Every girl relates best to one of the four sisters- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy (I was always a Meg girl myself). This book is a continual inspiration that it is not enough to settle for being a nice person, but to instead improve oneself and grow in goodness to become an excellent human being. It's also a charming story of love and friendship, and of four girls growing up long ago. I have yet to meet a girl who didn't love it. I also recommend the rest of the series; Little Men and Jo's Boys are an enjoyable continuation of the March saga.


3. Peter Pan by James M. Barrie

Don't tell me it's a boy's book. It's not. Read about Wendy mothering Peter and her darling Lost Boys, about her heartache over Peter as she grows up without him, and you will see that this book speaks to any girl's heart. Also read about the daring sword fights and madcap adventures and you will see that it satisfies every girl's longing for adventure. Peter Pan is clever and fun, a celebration of childhood innocence. It is also a hauntingly beautiful reminder that time can not be stopped and that growing up is inevitable. It gives voice to ideas that children often feel but can't explain, making it an obvious favorite for children and adults alike.

One crucial point: when you read this book, you simply must find the edition illustrated by Scott Gustafson. His artwork makes the story come alive. No other edition can compare.


4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

For one thing, this is the book that shows girls that science is fascinating. It also introduces us to the exceptional Meg Murry, who can't fit in no matter how hard she tries- and finally learns to like herself just as she is. It is a stunning portrait of family loyalty. It encourages readers to fight evil and injustice with an abundance of good. Finally, its message that love can overcome all obstacles will resonate with readers of any age, making this book a perennial favorite. I recommend the sequel A Swiftly Tilting Planet as well.

5. Rilla of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This book is so underappreciated that very few people have heard of it, yet it is a beautiful work that can stand alone apart from the rest of the Anne of Green Gables series. It tells the story of Rilla, who comes of age during World War I. She matures from a spoiled child to a wise, caring young woman through her often comic and sometimes tragic adventures. You will enjoy the hilarious vignettes of daily life in the early 1900s and Montgomery's astute understanding of human nature. The depth and beauty of this novel, the best in the Anne series, merit the status of a classic.


Are these the same books you would have on your list? What other books should every little girl own?