A Monitor Guide to Religion Bestsellers

6. I Hope You Dance

by Tia Sillers

Rutledge Hill Press, Inc., $13.99

Available on tape

Two summers ago, if you were listening to the radio at all, chances are you heard "I Hope You Dance," the hit song by Lee Ann Womack. Now the writers of the song have put the CD single in a gift book, which breaks the song apart, lyric by lyric, adding photos and text. Although the treatment risks overexposure, it is an inspiring song, sung from the point of view of someone who loves you and wants you to overcome every obstacle in your way. A little sappy, but it could still make a good gift. (62 pp.) By Christy Ellington

7. Bringing Up Boys

by James C. Dobson

Tyndale, $22.99

Available on tape

Dobson promotes traditional masculinity with a highly readable mix of physiology and folksy storytelling. For Dobson, boys' energy needs to be properly channeled by strong parents - particularly fathers. Chief among his solutions: emphasize gender differences, combat media messages, and make more time. Dobson has both a PhD in child development and a successful Christian Right publishing empire. This creates some tensions: He tells parents to trust professionals on ADHD, but urges distrust of psychologists on homosexuality. (284 pp.) By Ben Arnoldy

8. Let's Roll

by Lisa Beamer

Tyndale, $24.99

America's most famous 9/11 widow offers this heartfelt account of her previously unremarkable life with Todd Beamer, who became a hero when he said, "Let's roll" and stormed the cockpit of his hijacked plane. But only your eyes will roll as you wade through his wife's cheesy foreshadowing and clichéd generalizations. Sadly, such writing weighs down her descriptions of their deep religious faith. In his final moments, Mr. Beamer prayed with a phone operator. That same faith helped his wife survive the loss of both her father and husband. (280 pp.) By Seth Stern

9. Traveling Light

by Max Lucado

W Publishing Group, $21.99

Meditating on the 23rd Psalm, Max Lucado leads readers on a journey of spiritual enlightenment. This prolific author's latest work aims to help ordinary people drop the emotional baggage that prevents them from living fulfilled lives. Through quirky anecdotes - from a pro golfer losing his lead in the British Open to "a woolly bunch of bobbing heads" following their shepherd in ancient Palestine - Lucado largely succeeds in conveying a sense of relief. Among the burdens he addresses are shame, grief, guilt, hopelessness, and self-reliance. (220 pp.) By Steven Savides

10. The Remnant

by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins

Tyndale, $24.99

Available on tape

In the 10th volume of the formulaic but phenomenally successful Left Behind series on the End Times, the battle between forces of good and evil reaches the brink of Armageddon. With the earth "a wasted shell of its former beauty," the Antichrist unleashes bombs on the remnant of believers gathered in the ancient city of Petra. God's judgment rains plagues on unbelievers and affords miraculous escapes for Tribulation Force members. The book's second half oddly loses punch after the heart-thumping, spirit-stirring events of earlier pages. (432 pp.) By Jane Lampman

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