In a society where books, magazines, newspapers and countless documents are available at any fingertip and computer screen, it's somewhat hard to imagine life without such overwhelming volumes of written material.

But for folks in the Middle Ages, books were a prized commodity, a sign of wealth, a gateway for religious devotion --- or all three.

Now, the best-selling book in the Middle Ages gets its 21st century turn in the spotlight with two new exhibitions at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

"Painted Prayers: Book of Hours from the Morgan Library" and "A Masterpiece Reconstructed: The Hours of Louis XII" are intimate glimpses at these highly decorated small prayer books that were all the rage in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The exhibition from the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York features about 60 examples of the art form. The Getty is the last stop for the collection that's been traveling across the country while the New York museum has been closed for renovation.

These medieval and Renaissance manuscripts represent work from some of the leading artists of the day. With delicate brushstrokes, brilliant colors and ornate designs, the devotional books on display are from France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

The rise in popularity of these books, could be called a simple case of "bibliophilic jealousy," according to Roger Wieck, Morgan Library curator of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts.

"We first see these types of religious books in the ninth century used in monasteries as just a text, a collection of prayers," explains Wieck. "One can imagine the aristocracy seeing priests and monks using these books and deciding that they too wanted a book of their own."

Indeed, from 1250 to 1550, more books of hours were commissioned and collected, bought and sold than any other type of book, including the Bible.

The most common book back then was the "Hours of the Virgin" which depicted many images of the infancy of Christ. "These books were basically springboards for meditation," explains Wieck. "They very much were like saying the mysteries of the rosary."

Some of the books on display include images from "The Hours of Catherine of Cleves," considered the greatest of all Dutch books of hours. The borders of this book are filled with brilliant intricate geometric patterns. Another gem is "The Farnese Hours" which has been called the "marvel of Rome" contains many Michelangelo-like images.

While most museum shows can only display one page at a time from such volumes, the other Getty exhibition is a rare look at multiple images from one book.

"A Masterpiece: The Hours of Louis XII" contains 15 of the known 16 images from a book made in 1498-99 by court painter Jena Bourdichon as a coronation present for the French king.

Lost for more than 300 years, the handmade prayer book had its pages dispersed and forgotten at the end of the 17th century. A London scholar started the process of recovering the pages 30 years ago.

"It took quite a bit of detective work," says Thomas Kren, curator of the manuscripts at the Getty. "Because of the changes in the church in the 16th century, these books lost their importance and were packed away or taken apart."

Bringing together these vibrant images for the first time, the exhibition showcases how Bourdichon used light and powerful framing techniques for some of the more stunning images.

"Look at the dramatic close-up he used in the Nativity," suggests Kren. "You are right in the scene with Mary and the baby. The image pulls you right into the narrative and engages you emotionally."

The light radiates from not only the Christ Child but from the heavens above and more subtly from Joseph's lantern. Mary seems to be illuminated from all these divine and earthly light sources.

Finally, this image also highlights the brilliant colors that often are employed by artists in these miniature masterpieces. The beautiful blue of Mary's robes comes from hand-ground lapis lazuli and the shimmering flecks of sparkle are actually gold. "That's why these [images] shine so brightly," sums up Kren. "They are really rich in many ways."

"A Masterpiece Reconstructed: The Hours of Louis XII" and "Painted Prayers: Book of Hours From the Morgan Library" is on exhibition through Jan. 8, 2006 at the J. Paul Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Mondays. Free admission, $7 parking fee. (310) 440-7300.