Books can make excellent (and personal) Christmas gifts. Giving the right one for the right person can be quite rewarding.  Here are some that have come to my attention over the past year, some of which might be perfect for someone special in your life.

FICTION

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Walden Pond Press)

Excellent for kids. Here’s what I wrote last July when I reviewed the book:

If you’re looking for a good book to give your kid to read — or to read
yourself — I recommend Cosmic
by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Published by Walden Pond Press, the
311-page novel tells the fantastic story of Liam, a 12-year-old British boy
whose height and premature facial hair cause him to regularly be taken for an
adult.

And not just an adult. A dad. Specifically, as the fable unfolds,
dad to his friend Florida Kirby. And that’s how his adventure begins.

Without giving away too much of the very original plot, I will tell you
that the story concerns a secret Chinese program to launch the first space
flight manned by children. The whole tale is told to us through Liam’s eyes
which, by the time the whole thing plays out, also turns out to be how an actual
dad might view things.

Liam’s incredible journey (to China and beyond) is
one of discovery in more ways than one — including his realization of what it
really means to be a parent.

I honestly laughed out loud several times
while reading Cosmic but what I really like is its heart and kind tone. 
There isn’t so much a moral message as a moral underpinning to the story. 
There’s no preaching, no Bible thumping. But its deftly-revealed concepts of
faith and parental love unmistakably shine through.

The humor is sharp
without being “edgy” and totally appropriate for kids while being thoroughly
entertaining for adults. There’s definitely a very nice family film waiting to
be made here.

“Cosmic” is Liam’s way of saying “awesome!,” or “cool!” All
three of those words are apt descriptions of Cosmic.

Hour of the Cat by Peter Quinn (Overlook Duckworth)

For lovers of mystery and history, this hard-boiled private eye yarn is steeped in rich retails of late 1930’s-era New York and of a world headed toward war.  Follow ex-cop Fintan Dunne as he wends his way through a complex labyrinth involving Nazis, eugenics and corrupt public officials. The story may be set in the ’30’s but the issues Dunne confronts are relevant today.

NON-FICTION

Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes by Therese J. Borchard (Center Street)

The Pocket Therapist by Therese J. Borchard (Center Street)

Either or both these books by the excellent Beliefnet blogger would be a wonderful gift (in the truest sense of the word) for anyone struggling with depression. The first interweaves Therese’s personal story with the insightful advice from someone who’s been there, the second is concise but profound list of practical ways of making it through (and, the good news is, depression doesn’t last forever). I know. I’ve been there myself — and I heartily recommend Therese’s books.

The Face of God: The Rediscovery of the True Face of Jesus by Paul Badde (Ignatius Press)

For those interested in exploring miracles, this book by the Vatican reporter chronicles the known history of the Holy Face of Manoppello, a cloth relic that appears o show a”positive” photograpi-like image of the same “negative” image that appears on
the far more famous Shroud of Turin. I recently interviewed Badde for Beliefnet and found the experience to be both interesting and inspirational. He’s a true believer who is passionate about getting this story to the people. 

Who Chose the Gospels?: Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy by C.E. Hill (Oxford University Press)

For those seriously interested in Church history, this may be just the right gift. Hill is a New Testament professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.