Since I am covering two months, I will split this post into two. This first post will have news, theater, film, reviews of old books, and bestsellers. The second post will have the new books which have been recently published.
We mourn the loss of Brent Yorgason, one of the pioneers of commercial LDS fiction in the 1970s. There are lots of end of the year lists coming out. YA authors Julie Berry and Jeff Zentner are appearing the most, including prestigious lists like the New York Times and Publishers Weekly. YA authors Brodi Ashton, Kasie West, and Kiersten White are also appearing quite frequently. Please send news and corrections to mormonlit AT gmail DOT com.
In Memoriam: Brenton Gayle Yorgason (1945-2016)
Brenton Gayle Yorgason, age 71, was surrounded by family as he passed away on the October 28, 2016 from Parkinson’s with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah to Gayle and Beatrice Yorgason, and grew up in Nephi and Provo, Utah. He served a mission in Florida and Puerto Rico, and then attended BYU where he met “the love of his life,” Margaret Yates. They had a whirlwind courtship and married in the Manti Temple. Soon after he was activated in the Army and sent to Vietnam. Yorgason learned to write while serving as a unit typist in Vietnam. After duty, he would write a daily letter to his wife back in Utah. “He wrote me every single day that he was gone,” Margaret says. “I think he developed his talent writing love letters to me. I have a scrapbook with all of these precious letters.” Returning home, he completed his Bachelor’s, Masters, and PhD in Family Science with a minor in Marriage and Family Therapy. He spent several years teaching Seminary, and taught in the Family Science department at BYU. In the 1970s and ’80s, he co-wrote several LDS books with older brother Blaine, including The Bishop’s Horse Race (1979) and Chester, I Love You (1983). The popularity of the books launched both Yorgasons as motivational Mormon speakers in the 1980s and ’90s. He wrote and published 105 books, over 40 of which were biographies. He enjoyed writing many books with his brother Blaine. The paintings they did together were used as the cover of many of their books.
Best Book Lists
New York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2016 (6 Young Adult novels include): THE PASSION OF DOLSSA. By Julie Berry. (Viking, $18.99.) “Magnificent,” our reviewer, Marjorie Ingall, called this absorbing, elegant novel about a young medieval gentlewoman on the run from an obsessed friar who wants to burn her at the stake for heresy. THE SERPENT KING. By Jeff Zentner. (Crown, $17.99.) Zentner manages to blend humor, optimism and ominous Southern-style moodiness in this tale of three devoted teenage friends who help each other face violence, family shame and the difficulty of breaking out of the trap called home.
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2016. 16 Young Adult Books include: My Lady Jane, by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows (HarperTeen). “In a hilarious, gonzo reinvention of the story of Edward VI and Lady Jane Grey, a trio of YA authors transports readers to a version of 16th-century England populated by shape-shifting humans called E∂ians. It’s historical fantasy at its most audacious as Hand, Ashton, and Meadows swap real-life tragedies for happily-ever-afters.” The Passion of Dolssa, by Julie Berry (Viking). “Berry takes readers to 13th-century France in a lushly written story of heresy, friendship, and intrigue as she weaves together the stories of two strong-willed but threatened young women: Botille, a matchmaker, and Dolssa, a mystic who is being hunted by inquisitors.” The Serpent King, by Jeff Zentner (Crown). “Outsiders in their small Tennessee town, three high school seniors rely on each other in Zentner’s heartrending and gorgeously written debut novel, a story that sees moments of grace and hope transcend stifling family histories, stymied dreams, and tragedy.”
Bustle’s 30 Best YA Books of 2016 includes: My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows. “You probably learned in history class that Edward VI and Lady Jane Grey had untimely deaths in 16th-century England, but three YA authors are here to give them new (hilarious) life in My Lady Jane. What if the Nine-Day Queen was never executed for treason? Well, if Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows’ imaginations dictated, it would be a super-funny, high fantastical romp through history. It sounds high concept, but it’s executed beautifully, giving readers a totally wacky, wisecracking adventure story that has the anachronistic fun of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, but much more successful.” The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. “Jeff Zentner brings to life an impoverished Southern small town named after a member of the Ku Klux Klan and the outsiders who live there without shying away harsh realities. Though the story drives its way to a brutal act of violence, what shines is the power of friendship through it all. Dill is the son of an incarcerated extremist preacher who is bullied because of his family. Travis is a kind soul who feels desperately out of place in his hometown, and Lydia dreams of traveling to New York to have a career in fashion. Zentner creates these three teenagers who feel almost impossibly real and show how friendship can withstand anything, often even more than family and romantic love.” The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry. “Feminist historical YA lit FTW! Set in a convent in medieval, post-Inquisition France, The Passion of Dolssa is a story centered around and about an almost entirely female cast. (You go, Julie Berry!) Dolssa has been branded a heretic after claiming that God is her lover, and escaping execution, she is rescued by matchmaker Botille, who hides Dolssa in her tavern. But before long, the wrath of the entire Church bears down on them both and they can’t stay hidden for long. Female friendship takes center stage here, pressured by issues of faith, organized religion, culture, and basically women’s oppression across the entire span of time. (NBD.) More Dolssa please!” And I Darken by Kiersten White. “In Kiersten White’s historical re-imagining, she tells the story of women forgotten by history. And I Darken is loosely based on the life of Vlad Dracul, aka, Vlad the Impaler, aka the man who became Count Dracula. (Yes, THAT Dracula.) However, in White’s story, Dracul becomes Lada Dragula, a ruthless female leader of Wallachia. Princess are “supposed” to be ladylike and gentle, but let’s just say Lada Dragula goes in her own direction, and it’s so wonderfully dark.”
The Serpent King, by Jeff Zentner is one of five finalists for the 2017 William C. Morris YA Debut Award, run by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The award honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature. Zentner’s other life as a musician was discussed in an Associated Press article about the award.
Buzfeed: 19 of the Best YA Books of 2016 includes: The Serpent King. “In this coming-of-age YA novel, Dill, Travis, and Lydia are beginning their senior year of high school. Dill’s reputation has been tarnished by his minister father and he’s disheartened that Lydia wants to get out of their small town ASAP. Told via three separate POVs, this moving, character-driven story is sure to stick with you long after you finish.”
NPR’s 2016 Book Concierge: Our Guide to Great Books of 2016 includes: Kiersten White, And I Darken. “And I Darken is an evocative imagining of the life of two noble children who are handed over to the Ottoman Empire to ensure that their father, the Prince of Wallachia, will be on his best behavior. What begins as resentful imprisonment soon becomes a source of internal and external conflict for siblings Lada and Radu, as they’re torn between hanging on to their past identities and assimilating into the empire that they ought to despise. This book takes no prisoners, offering up brutal, emotional historical fiction in a seldom explored setting.”
Goodreads Choice Awards, Best Books of 2016.
Fantasy: #3-The Bands of Mourning, by Brandon Sanderson. 28,982 votes. #8-The Bird and the Sword, by Amy Harmon. 12,739 votes.
Young Adult Fiction: #7-P. S. I Like You, by Kasie West. 13,754 votes. #11-The Serpent King, by Jeff Zentner. 4956 votes.
Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction: #8-Calamity, by Brandon Sanderson. 16,020 votes. #17-My Dear Lady Jane, by Brodi Ashton, others. 1644 votes. #19-And I Darken, by Kiersten White. 893 votes.
Middle Grade and Children’s: #6-Summerlost, by Ally Condie. 8635 votes. #16-Five Kingdoms, by Brandon Mull. 1595 votes. #19-The Dark Talent, by Brandon Sanderson. 906 votes.
Analog’s 2015 Analytical Laboratory Readers’ Awards
Short stories: #4.“An Immense Darkness,” Eric James (March 2015)
Article: #2. “Five Wagers on What Intelligent Life Elsewhere in the Universe Will Be Like,” Steven L. Peck.
Other News
New Colorful, Interactive Exhibit at BYU Features “Comics and Mormons” (Church News)
Boise TV news story about horror author Michaelbrent Collins.
Ardis Parshall at Keepapitchinin is doing a Mormon short story advent calendar, daily publishing a short story from pre-1970 Mormon magazines.
Short stories and magazines
The Fall 2016 issue of Dialogue: a journal of Mormon thought included Karen Rosenbaum’s short story “The River Rerun” from her recent AML-award winning collection, a personal essay by Marianne Hales Harding, and poetry by Bonnie Shiffler-Olsen, Jamie Naylor, Les Blake, and Susan Elizabeth Howe.
Lee Allred. “Suppose They Gave a Ragnarok and Nobody Came?”. In Last Stand: Fiction River #20. Edited by Dean Wesley Smith and Felicia Fredlund.
Annaliese Lemmon. “The Legacy Left Behind.” The Flash Fiction Press, Dec. 4.
Larry Menlove. “Throwing Stones”. Drunken Boat, #24.
Wm Henry Morris. “SafeForge”. Big Echo, Nov. Uniquely formatted online SF story.
Jennifer Quist. “Everybody’s Horror Movie.” Prairie Fire, 37: 3, Autumn 2016.
Various authors. Windows into Hell. Curiosity Quills Press, Oct. 24. Post-life short story anthology, Inspired by the Steven Peck novel A Short Stay in Hell. Stories by James Wymore, Michaelbrent Collings, Mette Ivie Harrison, Jay Wilburn, Tonya Adolfson, R.A. Baxter, D.J. Butler, Sarah E Seeley, and Steven L Peck.
Various authors. Dragon Writers: An Anthology. WordFire Press, Nov. 5. 26 stories, including ones by Brandon Sanderson, David Farland, Scott R. Parkin, Lisa Mangum.
Various Authors. The Perfect Gift. Covenant, Oct. Christmas short stories, by A.L. Sowards, Anita Stansfield, Breanna Olaveson, Ellen Fay Belnap, Ganel-lyn Condie, Jennifer Moore, Krista Lynne Jensen, Meg Johnson, Melanie Jacobson, Pamela Carrington Reid, Sandra Grey and Sian Ann Bessey.
Reviews of Older Books
Scott Bronson. The Agitated Heart. (Julie J. Nichols, AML). “Fiction has multiple functions in the lives and minds of both readers and writers. The story of the genesis of “this troubling little tale” (206) implies that composing it–a twenty-year process–was a matter for Bronson not only of interrogating the minutiae of marriage and parenthood, but also exploring the essence of Christ’s mission of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love. For readers, now, this beautifully-produced little volume serves as a tightly-constructed, eloquent set of signs and symbols regarding our fallibility and the need for Christ. It’s a small classic. All who are mature enough to love and fear for their families should read it. I hope there will be more where this came from.”
Ally Condie. Summerlost (Bloggin’ ‘bout Books) B+. “Summerlost tells a gentle, but emotionally-rich story about a young girl’s struggle to cope after a great tragedy rips her family in two. It’s a heartfelt, atmospheric tale that is both tender and touching. The festival setting lends it an otherworldly magic that makes the novel uniquely spellbinding. With humor, mystery, drama, and a whole lot of heart, Summerlost makes for a compelling read with cross-over appeal. It enchanted me quite thoroughly, thank you very much.”
Judith Freeman. The Latter Days: A Memoir (Darin Stewart, Dialogue). “It is clear that Freeman did not set out to write a book about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the memoir is not intended as a polemic against Mormonism or the culture it engenders. Nevertheless, the LDS church is so pervasive in the author’s upbringing that it is hard to miss the underlying current of criticism that runs throughout the book . . . Those looking for insight into how a young woman from rural Utah became a leading American Novelist will not find it here, other than understanding the circumstances informing her later fiction. When Freeman first begins to consider the possibility of a writing life, her family is neither supportive nor obstructionist. Her father simply forbids her to write about family and religion. Of course those topics are the central focus of most of Freeman’s novels including The Chinchilla Farm, Red Water and her collection of short stories, Family Attractions. The lyricism developed in Freeman’s fiction is on full display here in her memoir. In essence, her entire body of work is an exploration of the themes forbidden by her father . . . At no point in Freeman’s story is there a dramatic break with her family and heritage. Rather there is a gradual drifting away. Her view of the religion of her childhood and the constraints it imposes slowly shift from seeing it as not helpful, to not necessary, and ultimately not relevant. The events along the way are nothing out of the ordinary. The overall journey and the manner in which it is conveyed, however, make this memoir remarkable.”
Eric Freeze. Invisible Men (Carve Magazine). “The stories in Freeze’s collection do what great fiction is supposed to do for us as readers. We sidle up next to the characters, and we’re not sure whether to sympathize with them or revile them. Insofar as fiction is a study of “humanity,” these stories force us to confront feelings like fear, shame, anger, confusion, and indignity, and to negotiate in our own minds where rational thinking and instinct collide . . . Many of Freeze’s protagonists feel they have no self to serve, so they exist in some liminal state between beast and human. For example, the young boy in “Lone Wolf” has lost his way because his father abandoned the family. His reaction is to regress literally to becoming a predatory animal . . . Invisible Men is an invitation to look into the hearts of characters who feel alone. We see in the stories a half-human, half-animal state of being, the place within us all where the rational and the instinctual collide. “And suddenly,” Freeze writes in the last sentence of “Lone Wolf,” I want to be a wolf again, the inconvenience and all, if not just to stop this human ache, the worry, the unfairness of a life gone wrong.””
Frank Holdaway. Undercover Target (Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 5 stars. “The characters in this story are easy to like, though I’ll admit my favorite is the old lady, Permelia. Hope is a little too nice, but the others are realistic. Action begins on the first page and quickly captures the reader. The story builds quickly and reaches several highs before the denouement and a satisfying ending. The author handles well Peng’s struggle with guilt and his self blame for his mother’s fate, for events at the orphanage, and his overall belief that he’s not worthy of having a family or being loved.”
Melanie Jacobson. Southern Charmed (Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 3 stars. “There’s much to like about both Lila Mae and Max. They’re both portrayed well and are likable. It’s easy to admire their work ethic and commitment to their careers. Their dialog is fun, clever, and humerous. If they have shortcomings, it’s that he’s a little too committed to climbing the corporate ladder and she is obsessed with her hometown to the point she puts staying there over establishing an eternal relationship. Place over people isn’t a strong enough motivation, so staying for the sake of her grieving mother is added in, but doesn’t ring true since the mother is fifty or under, self sufficient, and clearly ready to move on with her life. There’s much to like about both Lila Mae and Max. They’re both portrayed well and are likable. It’s easy to admire their work ethic and commitment to their careers. Their dialog is fun, clever, and humerous. If they have shortcomings, it’s that he’s a little too committed to climbing the corporate ladder and she is obsessed with her hometown to the point she puts staying there over establishing an eternal relationship. Place over people isn’t a strong enough motivation, so staying for the sake of her grieving mother is added in, but doesn’t ring true since the mother is fifty or under, self sufficient, and clearly ready to move on with her life.”
J. R. Johansson. The Row. (Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books). “The mystery is rich with red herrings until the explosive end, while the romance begins with a meet cute and continues cute with a side of smolder. An edge of creepiness remains through the resolution, however, highlighting the complicated effects of being reared in a complicated situation; readers may be left with lingering questions about the possible afterlife of Riley.”
Julie Nichols. Pigs When they Straddle the Air (Susan Elizabeth Howe, 15 Bytes). “I know Julie Nichols to be a remarkable woman, but I would have wanted to read her new novel for its title alone, which promises originality and surprise and literary intelligence in the work it represents. In my opinion the promise of this title is legitimate; the characters are as memorable as their dilemmas; the prose is thoughtful and fluid; the issues the book embodies are complex and timely. Even though this novel is directed at a general audience, it may be classified as feminist Mormon literature. The characters are mostly Mormons trying to solve the conflict between cultural/religious expectations and authentic personal choice. The protagonist of each story is a woman, most of them attempting to break from constraints arising from patriarchal Mormon culture. Most of the problems these characters face do seem to come from attitudes fostered by the Mormon milieu, but sometimes the culture is implicated when the problem is not Mormon but personal prejudice . . . Julie Nichols has clearly mastered the short story. Each of these here contains a complete action, as Flannery O’Connor would say: the characters’ engagement with each other fulfilled, the choices made and carried out. Like any good story, these leave the reader with much to think about and with a sense that, whatever the consequences, the protagonist will be able to continue her life’s quest.”
Jennifer A. Nielsen. A Night Divided (Reading for Sanity) 4.5 stars. “A Night Divided is one of the perfect books for this era in history . . . Because this story is written for the newer Middle Grade levels, it’s more simplistic than a history book. However, the emotions that Greta feels through the separation, the work, and the living under repression are perfectly captured for the age group. It is one I have no fears turning over to my own kids or recommending out.”
Clair M. Poulson. Out Lawyered (Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 4 stars. “Poulson has a particular talent for creating ordinary characters who bring their stories closer to readers through the readers’ affinity to those characters. There’s a “down home” rural feel to this story even though a large portion of the novel is courtroom drama. In juxtaposition of the usual hick lawyer against the city slicker lawyer, Poulson’s city lawyer is the crude one and Saxon plays the straight, clean cut attorney who follows the rules. Poulson doesn’t preach, but his leading characters are clearly LDS and follow Church standards. There’s a slightly western feel to the story with the use of horses and the casual mention of livestock, rangeland, and cattle.”
Janette Rallison. The Wrong Side of Magic (Mindy Holt) 5 stars. “Rallison is one of my favorite authors, her book are always amazing. I was thrilled to review her middle grade book, The Wrong Side of Magic. This book is so clever. The clever ways Charlotte was able to disguise them in Logos, how they were able to sail to the Cliffs of Faces, the use of candied hearts, riding unicorns, so many fun and creative adventures. I loved the play on words and humor. There were so many events that made me smile and laugh out loud. Hudson was a great character, and I adored Charlotte. I loved their adventure and the things they learned along the way. Hudson and Charlotte both realize some pretty great things. There isn’t much else I can say without giving away the book, but know you are in for a fantastic adventure.”
Thomas F. Rogers. Let Your Hearts and Minds Expand (Ivan Wolfe, Millennial Star). “The main theme that I found in this collection is one of charity – the true love of Christ. Rogers has a unique and clear capacity to find the good in everyone and every situation he encounters, while still being realistic and firm as required. A read through this collection would, I think, inspire any member of the church to be more loving and Christlike in their behavior.”
Julie M. Smith, ed. As Iron Sharpens Iron (Jenny Webb, AML). “I opened the attractive volume and was subsequently fascinated, surprised, and even delighted by what I found. Smith and her authors provide a unique and absorbing engagement with the Mormon scriptural canon that is well worth reading . . . There is significant variety in the topics, identities, and scriptural sources undertaken by these authors. What emerges from all these myriad experiences, discussions, and even arguments is an interesting agreement that disagreement is not necessarily inimical to discipleship, but rather can be reframed as an opportunity to give one another the benefit of the doubt. Time and again characters find peace in Christ throughout these dialogues, and it is a peace that ultimately helps them to let go of their need to be right (and more specifically, to be the only one who is right). The portrait of the God behind the texts that thus emerges through these discussions is one where God’s greatness is manifest in and through an expansive, welcoming, and variety hermeneutic terrain.”
Jeff Zentner. The Serpent King. School Library Journal blog. 3 stars. “I’m always intrigued by religious themed (or even slightly religious flavored) fiction for teens. I ought to specify here, this isn’t inspirational fiction, or really even Christian fiction, although it is partially fiction about one Christian’s experience; it’s more a contemplative study about living with religion. In addition, this is a snapshot of teens living in a small town setting . . . Another aspect that Zentner gets right: the amount of time the three friends spend in the car, and their need to seek out bigger cities. Although it’s the last year of high school, the three don’t spend much time in school; they’re frequently on the road, on their way to get things done, or hanging out in various spots in town. He gives them a lot of life that happens outside of school; these high school outcasts embrace their status and find other spaces and other places to be . . . Maybe the biggest weaknesses here are the adults; they suffer in comparison to their teen counterparts. Their dialogue isn’t as specific, and in some cases it’s outright clunky. These weaknesses are particularly glaring in the characterization of all three of the mothers. For a novel packed to the last page and beyond with both failed and fantastic father figures, the mothers just…don’t compare well.”
Theater
James Arrington. Here’s Brother Brigham. SCERA, Orem, Nov. 9-14. Arrington’s final performance of the one man show, which he first performed in the 1970s.
Carol Lynn Pearson. Facing East. Draper Historic Theatre, Nov. 11-13. Debuted in 2006. Derrick Clements, Daily Herald feature story.
Film
Winter Thaw. BYUtv, December. Adam Thomas Anderegg, director. Kaleidoscope’s Russ Kendall, producer. “In late nineteenth-century Russia, Martin Avdeitch is a humble shoemaker whose life has been characterized by grief. Martin must find the courage to look outside himself and trust in the goodness of God. This BYUtv original holiday special is based on Leo Tolstoy’s short story, “Martin the Cobbler,” and stars John Rhys-Davies.”
Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmore universe movie rights have been purchased.
Bestsellers
Oct. 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec. 4, 11
Stephanie Meyer. The Chemist
USA Today: x, x, x, x, #13, #31, #31 (3 weeks)
PW Hardcover: x, x, x, x, #5, #11, #8 (3 weeks). 18,475, 14,848, 14,362 units. 47,685 total.
NYT Hardcover: x, x, x, x, #5, #12, #10 (3 weeks)
James Dashner. The Fever Code (The Maze Runner series)
USA Today: #53, #50, #63, #138, #192, #84 (6 weeks)
PW Children’s: #5, #6, #6, #9, #11, #15, #13 (9 weeks). 12,206, 9762, 8149, 6492, 5243, 5395, 4888, 7194 units. 85,108 total.
NYT Children’s Series: #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #10, #7 (186 weeks)
Richard Paul Evans. The Mistletoe Secret
USA Today: x, x, x, x, #26, #44 (2 weeks)
PW Hardcover: x, x, x, x, x, #6, #13 (2 weeks). 20,626, 10,316 units. 30,942 total.
NYT Hardcover: x, x, x, x, x, #8, #16 (2 weeks)
Richard Paul Evans. Michael Vey #6: Fall of Hades
PW Children’s: #20, #21, x, x, x, x, x (5 weeks). 4169, 3199 units. 45,523 total.
Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation
USA Today: x, x, x, x, #142, x, x (1 week)
PW Childrens: x, x, x, x, #10, x, x (1 week). 7288 units.
NYT Childrens Series: x, x, x, x, #7, x, x (4 weeks total)
Christine Feehan. Leopard’s Fury
USA Today: x, x, x, x, #38, #46, #95 (3 weeks)
PW Mass Market: x, x, x, x, #2, #4, #4 (3 weeks). 18,198, 11,796, 7269 units. 37 263 total.
NYT Mass Market: x, x, x, x, #2, #3, #8 (3 weeks)
Christine Feehan. Dark Ghost (a 2015 book)
USA Today: #134, x, x, x, x, x, x (4 weeks)
PW Mass Market: #15, #20, x, x, x, x (3 weeks). 9922, 4526 units. 19,248 total.
Stephenie Meyer. Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined
PW Childrens: x, x, x, x, #23, x , x (1 week). 2449 units.
Brandon Sanderson. Arcanum Unbounded
USA Today: x, x, x, x, x, x, #111 (1 week)
RaeAnne Thayne. Snowfall on Haven Point
USA Today: #49, #63, #93, x, x, x, x (4 weeks)
PW Mass Market: #5, #8, #14, x, x, x, x (4 weeks). 11,266, 8295, 6710 units. 40,987 total.
NYT Mass Market: #11, #12, x, x, x, x, x (3 weeks)
RaeAnne Thayne and Sherryl Woods. A Love Beyond Words
USA Today: x, x, x, #125, x, x, x (1 week)
PW Mass Market: x, x, x, #17, #24, #25, x (4 weeks). 21,286 total.
RaeAnne Thayne. A Holiday Gift and a Cold Creek Noel
PW Mass Market: x, x, x, x, x, x, #16 (1 week). 5891 units.