Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful light-hearted read
Review: Someday we may see families curled up on couchs on Christmas Eve, the television for once turned off. Rather than watching It's A Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street, they'll each have a copy of Skipping Christmas in their hands.It took me a while to warm to this novel, but when I did, it was inescapably ensearing, and quite humourous. (It's rare for me to laugh out loud while reading a novel, but I certainly did with this one!) The story takes us into the lives of Luther and Nora Krank who have decided, for one year and one year only, they're going to skip Christmas all together. They've just sent their daughter away for a year with the Peace Corps, no family's around, and they'd frankly rather take a cruise than worry about buying gifts and decorating the house. In the end, they find skipping Christmas isn't as easy as they had envisioned. As I said, it took me a while to warm to this story. The first half of the novel didn't really click with me. I got the feeling Grisham was just going through the motions, writing a weak satirization of Christmas commercialism, but it turns out he was just setting the stage for the rest of the story. So, while I understand this was part of the story as well, I can't give the story a full five because I felt he did fall into an uncustomary lull at the beginning. Still, this is a very worthy Grisham novel, and one that should brighten everyone's holiday spirits. Recommended for everyone, especially if you like light-hearted Christmas fare. Matty J
Rating:
Summary: Quick Read -- Is this really Grisham?
Review: What a great reminder of the true meaning of the season! I can't get over the fact that this was Grisham. I read this book in about 3 or 4 hours, not a huge time committment, and it's worth every minute. The book is a perfect lesson that it's not the gifts, lights, cards, and other secular annoyances that take the spirit out of Christmas, it's how we choose to respond to them. Grisham shows how many of the unpleasant tasks we associate with the holidays can prove to be an important part of the spirit of the season. As an example, putting an 8 foot Frosty on your roof is not a pleasant task, but when everyone on the block works together to get it done, it transcends the annoyance and reminds the participants of the love of neighbor and peace that the season is supposed to represent.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining holiday reading
Review: Have you ever tried to skip Christmas? Blair, Luther and Nora's only child, is away with the Peace Corps in Peru, so Luther and Nora decide to skip all the Holiday fanfare and expense and spend some money on themselves. Easier said than done, when the entire town is watching and campaigning for Christmas. Skipping includes saying no to the city's firemen when they come round to sell their horrid fruitcakes, no to the doe-eyed boy scouts selling Christmas trees, and no to the entire neighbourhood, that always sets up a huge Frosty on every roof. The ending was a bit of a disappointment, though. I wanted a light book to read over the Holidays and this hit the spot. I am probably one of the few people who has not read John Grisham before, but I enjoyed this book and have been favourably influenced towards his other works.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time or your money on this book!
Review: This Grisham Christmas fairy tale was a big disappointment. The story of Nora and Luther Krank's (could he choose better names for his characters?) decision to "skip Christmas" was a slow read from beginning to end. Travel plans, nasty, controlling neighbors and a pollyanna ending was laughable. This book would never have been published in the first place had it not been written by Grisham. He should stick to the type of writing he does best. Christmas "fairy tales" are NOT Grisham's strength!
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Holiday Story!
Review: I loved this book, I think my new tradition will be to read this book and watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! The two together have me laughing hysterically. I really liked Luther and Nora and can imagine them being my next door neighbor. They were two people that had done the Christmas thing year after year and wanted something different. Everyone wants that, but this year it backfired. Everything was so classic, the office party, the calendar and fruitcake sales, the shopping, the food and the tree. Luther handled it all so well. However, when it all boils down, Christmas is all about family, friends and holiday cheer. Totally enjoyable book.
Rating: 
Summary: You might want to skip this book
Review: Any fan of Grisham's legal thrillers might be disappointed by this, but if you are looking for a sentimental holiday book, you might enjoy "Skipping Christmas." It is sappy and predictable, but the mesaage is a valid one--to remember the true meaning of Christmas and cherish family and friends. It's a cute story and is a quick read, so borrow it from a friend.
Rating:
Summary: Christmas spirit?
Review: In "Skipping Christmas" Grisham is totally unrealistic about how any normal person or community might react because one couple decide to go on a cruise. The reaction of the community was, I thought, very mean spirited and totally lacking in the true meaning of Christmas. To not advise their daughter of their plans is also totally unrealistic. While this was a mildly pleasant "read" I found it predictable and drawn-out. Though a short book, I found myself wanting the author to get to the point. Even the ending does not make you feel that it is a community of which you would want to be a part. Skip "Skipping Christmas" and reread Barbara Robinson's, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
Rating:
Summary: what a piece of ...
Review: Don't be taken in by this book and the people who love it. It's 45 minutes of reading time that you'll never get back! The main themes of this story are (1) all men are ultimately controlled by henpecking wives and neighbors (cute huh?), (2) it's impossible to skip christmas (how could you even think such a thing?), (3) neighbors actually care whether you put a plastic frosty on your roof or not, and (4) christmas isn't christmas unless you have a turkey and all the traditional trappings...That is all I have to say.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Holiday Book!
Review: A wacky idea -- skipping Christmas. Lots of laughing out loud with a few pulls at the heart strings. John Grisham has written, for us, a modern day "It's A Wonderful Life."
Rating:
Summary: Oh My G-D! its Horrible!
Review: When you finish reading all you can think about is why the author didn't skip chapter 3-18 and go straight to the end. the "heart" of the book is so boring and predictable you will not believe you actually spent your time on it. Such a dissapiontment. maybe grisham should stick to the law books.
the story just develops nowhere. an absalout waste of time if you ask me!
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