First Day

First Day
Allyson B. Condie

Another Superfine show, Doug! Unfortunately, I missed the first few minutes because of circumstances beyond my control (which is why we continue to strongly urge KSL Radio to make Everyday Lives, Everyday Values available as a podcast, or at least archive it on the website. HELLO, people!).

This week's guest was Allyson Condie, author of Yearbook, and now back with the follow-up, First Day. But, as Allyson pointed out in the interview, First Day is the continuing saga of only SOME of the characters from Yearbook, since she wanted to keep the book as realistic as possible (Thanks, Allyson - as we all know, reality is something that is frequently stretched in this genre - you've done us all a huge favor). Of course, reality did take a bit of hit in the interview, when Allyson stated that although her book does contain LDS themes, she hopes that the writing and universal nature of the material will make the book accessible and applicable to youth outside of the church, as well. Uh-huh, you go girl!

Highlight of the show, at least for me, was the 3 minute sidebar from Doug about the time his son went on a mission, and how his wife's family (which, incidentally, are not LDS), wanted to know if they could chip in to help buy him a TV. While the story had absolutely nothing to do with the book or author that was his weekly guest, Doug's point was well made: non-Mormon's just don't get it! (And what's up with chipping in for a TV? Is Doug's spectacular career as a Radio Host/Utah celeb not as lucrative as we have all imagined? I mean, the family needs to chip in for a TV? Note to self, consider starting fundraising drive to help the Wright family!).

Overall, on the scale of one to five, I'd rate the book a 3, and the show a perfect 5. And now, the question:
Did Doug actually read the book before the show?
Superfan 1: No vote (out of town on vacation, and missed the show -WE NEED PODCASTS)
Superfan 2: Definitely not, and should not. A man with that much on his plate doesn't have time to be reading junior LDS fiction published by Des Book (hereafter cited as DB).

New Catalog!

Well, the new Deseret Book Fall catalog arrived today, and needless to say, I am very excited about it! Most of all, since it features Amanda Dixon's Wake Up book, right on the cover! (love the dog on the cover of your book, Amanda!). That is exposure almost as good as being featured on Everyday Lives, Everyday Values. I should also point out that local radio station X96 is featuring readings from the book on their morning show, Radio From Hell. A big shout out to you, Amanda! Now you're changing the lives of hippies and stoners, too! By the way, the photo to the left is one of Amanda that she posted in one of her blogs at KSL.com. I've never seen her before, but man, she is hot!

First off, the catalog itself seems to have a running theme of "harvest," and features "a new crop of products," making this catalog a literal cornicopia of spiritual nourishment. Bravo to Des Book (hereafter "DB") for so creatively tying the notion of "feasting on the word" to the gluttony available through their printed words. I'm getting fat just thinking about it (spiritually fat, that is - I'm already temporally fat).

The other notable from the catalog is Kim Clark's Armor (another book previously featured on ELEV!). After hearing Doug's description about the book's cover, I had to run out to my local DB early Monday morning to see what all the fuss was about. And Doug was (W)right! The cover is stunning - so eye-catching it almost appears to be a little bit 3-D (maybe like 2 & 1/2 D, or something like that). Unfortunately, the picture of the cover in the catalog DOES NOT do the actual cover justice. Don't be deceived by the appearance of the cover's matte finish in the catalog photo. It is not an accurate representation. If you were going to buy the book because of the cover (or because of Doug's praise for the cover), but then changed your mind when you saw it in the catalog, make sure to change it back. Because once you see that cover in real life, you will be back to buying, I guarantee it!

Also check out the new sensational LDS film advertised in the catalog, Anxiously Engaged. Props to the creative team that came up with that name - a wonderful fusion of LDS scripture and current pop culture. It tells the story of a returned missionary (hereafter cited as RM) that wants to marry a hot English girl, but for some unspecified reason cannot until he finds a bride for her "sensible" older sister (apparently "sensible" is code for ugly, and man, is she sensible!). A surefire winner not to be missed by ANY active temple attending Latter-day Saint (unless you did not like Mobsters and Mormons, Church Ball, the RM, The Hometeachers, or any of God's Armies - in that case, you might want to miss this).