Rating: 
Summary: A WORTHY GRISHAM HOLIDAY READ
Review: After careful calculation, Luther and Nora Krank realize they spend approximately $6100 on Christmas each year. With their only daughter off to Peru via the Peace Corps, they decide to save their money, buy none of the usual trimmings, including gifts, and take a cruise for the holidays. A great idea until everyone gets all righteous and nosey on them. Sounds like the perfect plan until a few unanticipated curves spin their way. Their daughter returns unexpectedly with a betrothed and a sick set of neighbors tug on their heart strings. It's no Christmas Carol, but it is a decent holiday Grisham story to while away an afternoon by the fire. At a mere 177 page you can finish the book some lazy Saturday or Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas and put yourself in the holiday mood. Worthy of holiday reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Dull - with a splash of racism
Review: I found the story predictable - a made-for-TV-movie script - except for the slightly disturbing ending. The Kranks are worried that their daughter is marrying a Peruvian, though their worries are slightly mitigated by the fact that he did his training in London. And, when they meet him, they're relieved to find out "he isn't dark at all!" Phew! Grisham doesn't put this in as a comment on the Kranks but as a genuine aspect of their happy ending. Hmmm... food for thought.
Rating:
Summary: A good seasonal piece
Review: I bought this when it first came out, after realizing I hadn't actually read a new Christmas story since grade school. I'm not sure what I expected, but the book is entertaining and the characters are fairly amusing. I'm not a fan of Grisham's more well-known works, but if they aren't your preferred reading material, don't compare those with this book. This story will (hopefully) never be a holiday TV cartoon, but it's worth offering to everyone in the family for at least one read-through.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than The Burbs!
Review: This was a laugh-out-loud book. I have read many Grisham books and was not expecting the humor. Towards the end of the book the story turned so funny it reminded me of the Tom Hanks movie, "The Burbs." This book can be read in one long night...you don't want to put it down. I loved the twist at the end! I plan to give this book to many on my Christmas list...not skipping it this year!
Rating:
Summary: Compellingly Real
Review: Grisham takes a cold and hard look at the over-materialism rampant in the celebration of Christmas today. The characters are real, the challenges that someone would face trying to distance themselves from all the hubbub that is modern Christmas is highly believable. A very well written and thought out book - if a little short.
Rating:
Summary: Satirically Entertaining
Review: In this satirically entertaining book, John Grisham presents Christmas, a season of joy and much-celebration, through an entirely different perspective. Skipping Christmas shows us just how insanely chaotic the holiday has become.
Luther, a grumpy accountant, and Nora, his obliging wife, are the Kranks, a wealthy couple who have a daughter off in Peru and a season of restlessness, headaches and mayhem fast approaching. So, they come up with an idea, to skip the holidays all together; to skip the crowded malls, hectic schedules and enormous bills and take a cruise down to the Caribbean. There is only one problem, their neighbours. Being that the Kranks house will be the only one on Hemlock Street without a Frosty on the roof, or even a Christmas tree, the neighbours are horrified and you will laugh out loud as the Kranks go through the pressures to conform and finally conclude in a tense, yet comical ending.
This is not one of Grisham's usual novels about lawyers and juries and drama, nor is it his best but, Skipping Christmas is quick and fun and can be enjoyed by even teenagers like myself. It is a delightfully amusing book for those who understand the chaos and frenzy that have become a part of our holiday tradition.
Rating:
Summary: A humorous look and the frenzy of Christmas
Review: This book caught my eye last year, but I never got around to reading it. I found it this year and absolutely loved it. It was a very quick and easy read. Everyone can relate to the frenzy that surrounds Christmas and this book puts a humorous spin on it.
Rating:
Summary: Skipping Christmas
Review: A light-reading Christmas novel with a cute plot. I recommend it if you want to read something short (several hours) and yet get in the mood for Christmas. Great to read in the airport, during lunch or in a waiting room. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. It made me think of the real meaning of Christmas without being too religious or heavy.
Rating:
Summary: Great holiday book
Review: John Grisham gives us a holiday thriller. Nora and Luther decide to skip Christmas when their daughter leaves for Peru. Luther books a trip for a cruise in the Carribean when an unexpected visitor is received.
Rating:
Summary: Good, quick satire
Review: Skipping Christmas can be divided into two parts. The first is spent building the anticipation of what a wonderful idea it would be to skip Christmas. All the insanity of the holiday season is exposed, making you feel tired just thinking about it, and relieved for the characters who are going to be able to avoid it. However, a plot element that was fairly easy to see coming occurs and derails their plans, which makes the second part of the book. Though predictable, this second part is quite funny. If you ever thought skipping Christmas might be a good idea, or if you just don't enjoy the holiday season, then this is a good read. If you love everything about the holidays, then skip the book. You wouldn't get it, anyway.
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