Skipping Christmas

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Summary: First Grisham Book
Review: I have never read any of his books till now. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. It does have some funny twists and it makes you think about how much we spend at Christmas time. This book has me wanting to read more of his work.

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Summary: Forget those old lawyers and trials, John! Write "cozies"!
Review: I bought this book because of the write up about it. I do not care for his lawyer and trial books...I do watch when they are a movie but I'm more into the "cozy" type of books. This one fits that area pretty good. I laughed until my sides hurt. My husband of course read it then to see what was so funny. He was laughing out loud too. My mother-in-law who reads all those old trial stories said she'd have to read it because she didn't believe John Grisham could write this type of story. May he write many more like this!

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Summary: John Grisham-Skipping Christmas
Review: I thought the book was a very "hard" read. It was not one of John Grisham's better books.

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Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read
Review: Grisham should be ashamed of this book, which is complete drivel. I couldn't stand any of the characters, ESPECIALLY the protagonists. Whiny, spoiled housewife and narcissistic, spineless, rude accountant - what's not to like there??? By the middle of the book, I was actually looking forward to their trip being ruined! Completely unbelievable scenarios and dialogue throughout (what planet do these people live on??), capped with an utterly ridiculous ending. (We're supposed to consider Luther a hero because he gave away something that he wasn't going to use anyway?? Um, o.k.) What a waste of time and money - like something from a middle school creative writing class.

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Summary: Grisham without Lawyers!
Review: This is not your typical Grisham novel. Sure, the quick pace is there and the incisive insight into the character; but this is a completely different kind of book than he usually writes. It's rare that a book makes me laugh out loud, but this one had me chuckling several times. The premise is simple: Christmas is overblown, so when the middle-aged Luther and Nora Krank are facing their first Christmas without their daughter at home, they decide to skip all of the traditional celebration and spend their money on a cruise. If you liked the movies "A Christmas Story" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", this book should be right up your alley. It's close enough to reality to make me wonder about the holidays next year...hmmm

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Summary: Even if you love Christmas...
Review: If you're looking for a "regular" John Grisham book here, it's not what you'd expect. But it is still well-crafted as only he can do. It takes a lot to make me laugh and by the middle of the book I was laughing so hard I had to suppress it so as not to wake my husband asleep next to me. I meant to take this with us while we celebrated Christmas and New Year's on the beaches of Mexico (yes, celebrate and vacation at once) and forgot to take it along. I got to it now in March and recommend it to anyone who needs a lift of spirits and/or a little perspective on the mostly chaotic Christmas season. Worth the read!

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Summary: Surprise! Surprise!
Review: I hesitated for several days before picking up the book, but was hooked from the first page. I loved the main character's gutsy decision to "skip Christmas" this year. The reaction of the neighbors, the whole block, the folks at work and his wife were great fun to read. I enjoyed the book immensely and even felt moisture in my eyes by the last page. And I am one cynical woman! I plan to buy for my sister for her birthday.

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Summary: Can't imagine?!?
Review: I can't imagine why anyone would find this story worth reading. Throughout the book I continually anticipated something that never came about. By the end of the story I felt let down.

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Summary: What a hoot! Skipping Christmas beats therapy!
Review: I wanted something "light" to read after plowing through two lengthy non-ficture best sellers. Something to "enjoy" and not have to think of dates and places. My husband thought I had totally lost it when I sat in the recliner, laughing OUT LOUD for goodness sake, over a small book! Not only could I visualize what was happening to this poor family, I hoped desperately that this would become a Christmas classic movie - Luther -poor bumbling Luther! He just wanted a simpler holiday season - and like the rest of us - the harder he tried, the more he was sucked into the whole commercialism of the season. This book truly was the highlight of this holiday season!

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Summary: Bah-humbug!
Review: This book shows the worst side of people. Even the protagonists were not admirable in any way. A truly boring and odious story. I forced myself to keep reading it because I thought Grisham might have some redeeming message to send to the reader. Alas, it was a terrible read right up to the last page.