Started making your holiday gift lists yet? If the answer is yes and you’re a music fan who appreciates keepsakes, here is a trio of books you might want to add.

Of course, you’ll only want them if you’re a devout follower of Neil Diamond, Bon Jovi or Michael Jackson – and believe me, I know you’re out there, especially you Diamond fans.

But of the dozens of music books released each year, what makes these three so special? Well, they landed on my desk, for starters. But seriously, they all share handsome packaging, rare photos and a keen insight into their respective topics.

Here’s a look.

“Neil Diamond is Forever: The Illustrated History of the Man and His Music” (Voyageur Press, retail price $25)

Since it’s written by Jon Bream, the pop music critic at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune since 1975, this one boasts the pedigree of a reporter who has followed Diamond from his early career.

Bream (and, full disclosure, I’ve known him for years and contributed to “Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin,” his book released last year) is also one of those rare unpretentious critics who isn’t so much concerned with what is cool, but with what is good. And enduring. I wouldn’t hold my breath for the MGMT coffee table tome – would you?

From the introduction, Bream outs himself as a Diamond fan because “he connects with his fans the way that my great rock heroes do with theirs” and “his life is the compelling story of a shy, quiet guy who overcame agonizing self-doubts … to reign as the uncrowned king of pop for how many decades now?”

Bream is correct, of course. Diamond is one of the most easily mock-able pop legends still performing, but only the most insecure music fan would argue that “Sweet Caroline” isn’t a brilliant anthem or “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” the epitome of heartbreak.

But the beauty of the 160-page “Neil Diamond is Forever” is that it not only gives Diamond a voice, but shares the seldom heard accolades from music stars ranging from Paul McCartney (“I must admit, in the early days, I wasn’t the biggest fan. But I am now. I love him…I think he’s fantastic. I almost got his autograph.”) to Kid Rock, who likens Diamond to “the Jewish Elvis.”

The accompanying visuals will be worth the purchase alone for some fans: old ticket stubs that will make you cringe when you see the ‘80s-era price of $15.50 stamped on them; a nostalgic portrait of a young Diamond alone in a Times Square subway station; and, of course, plenty of live shots that pop from all of the sequins glimmering on Diamond’s clothes.

Make sure to check out the fencing shot, too (page 59). Priceless.

“Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful” (HarperCollins, retail price $30)

The companion to the band’s new documentary that recently aired on Showtime (and will be available on DVD for deluxe versions of new album, “The Circle”), this book is the one Bon Jovi fans have waited years to possess.

Considering the band’s mainstream success, not many (authorized) products exist to give an inside glance into their empire. The documentary nudged in the door a smidgen, but this beautiful, glossy hardcover achieves a new level of revelation.

To celebrate their 25th anniversary last year, Bon Jovi gave photographer Phil Griffin unfettered access to their lives onstage and in more intimate moments (though with Jon Bon Jovi, you get the impression that he not only always knows where the camera is, but is subtly directing the shoot).

That doesn’t mean that these 184 pages are filled with nothing but photos from last year’s “Lost Highway” tour. It’s a true retrospective of the band’s career, starting with those early days of trench coats and bouffant hair and, on its final pages, offering the ultimate exposure – pics of the guys with their kids, families and/or spouses (still no sign of Jon’s children, though, and you really have to respect his tenacity in keeping them out of the spotlight).

Sprinkled throughout are interviews with the band, who discuss their relationships, their songwriting process and the difficulties of spending most of their lives in hotel rooms.

Love ‘em or wish they’d gone the route of Cinderella and Skid Row, there is no denying that Bon Jovi defines success.

“Michael” (HarperStudio, retail price $29.99)

The book jacket doesn’t even contain a title, just a close-up of a grinning young singer clad in a sequined jacket and shimmery tie, shyly glancing down as if humbled by the attention.

Obviously, a photo is all that is necessary to identify Michael Jackson (though the book is officially dubbed, simply, “Michael”). But, with Rolling Stone magazine behind this loving tribute, there is going to be some insightful writing, and in 221 pages, the magazine’s editors might have crafted the most comprehensive Jackson package since his untimely death this summer.
As an immediate method of pointing out Jackson’s influence throughout generations, the foreword of the book is penned by Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas, who calls Jackson “the Wall Street of music.”

Then, we go back. From Motown to “Thriller,” Neverland to “Captain Emo,” this anthology thoroughly analyzes the timeline of Jackson’s unprecedented career.

But what makes “Michael” a de facto memento are the additional layers that could only be provided by Rolling Stone’s resources: the vividly written overview of Jackson’s videos and “Essential Moments” (both from Rob Sheffield); pages of tributes from Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and Slash; a collection of Jackson’s Rolling Stone covers; and, of course, an unparalled collection of photos, including one showing his brothers bent over his rose-adored coffin at his Staples Center memorial service.

It’s a tragic story told by the right voices.