Rating: 
Summary: Jingles All the Way
Review: "Skipping Christmas" was one of the best books of fiction I've read. When a middle-aged couple decides to 'skip Christmas', the fun just begins. The reading is light, quick and to the brim with humor. A perfect gift for someone who likes a good, cozy read. A perfect treat for yourself. Definitely a book to share. Destined to become a classic, I wouldn't be surprised to see it as a tv special in the future. Pure delight.
Rating: 
Summary: ENTERTAINING
Review: Totally, unlike any other Grisham novel. I just liked this novel vv much. The humor was simple and enjoyable. I found myself laughing outloud several times while reading this short novel. Although the Krank's are mid/upper middle class, the theme is universal (no matter what economic level we all overspend/overexert ourselves and our neighbors each year at XMAS). We shop for gifts, food, decorations, and honor those time-cherised traditions each year--we hang decorations in the bitter cold, travel miles and overspend to find a straight tall tree or rum off to the nearest Home Depot or K Mart for a sparkling artifical tree and drag boxes of ornaments from the attic or basement. But, as Luther found out (isn't some of the trouble worth the effort we all put into this holiday). Frankly, I agree with Luther's idea of skipping XMAS and running off to the Caribbean or a far away place (maybe even a Comfort Inn with a jacuzzi/pool/suite). But what we do do with family? Personally, I would like to move XMAS someplace else (maybe a winter vacation/a cruise). Am glad he wrote this--been wanting to Skip XMAS for years. This XMAS when I'm out there last minute shopping or decorating I'll remember Luther & Nora and try to find humor, comfort, and solace in my XMAS activites. I might even take a yoga or tai chi class, not tanning, to relax.
Rating: 
Summary: Not his best work
Review: This short novel started out extremely slow. It was difficult to get into but I plugged along anyway knowing Grisham would give me a great ending. He took a long time setting up the story for the ending, which was the only thing I truly enjoyed. I'm glad I read this story, however, Grisham should stick to what he knows best - the law and the courtroom.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Waste your time
Review: Grisham and his publisher have some nerve publishing this meaningless trifle. The hour it will take you to read it is one that you will never get back. "Skipping Christmas" is a mediocre magazine article (written on a 4th-grade reading level) packaged as a book. Not even mildly diverting. Zero stars. SHAME ON THEM.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book To Get You Back Into Christmas
Review: A nice book to get you back into the spirit of Christmas, not totally 100% as good as the usual law type books He (Grisham) writes, but a nice little book for Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: Bah! Humbug!
Review: If this were written by one of my ninth grade English students rather than John Grisham, and turned into me for grading, I might write "trite", "predictable", or maybe even "boring" or "stereotypical" in the margin. The end is thoroughly stereotypical for a Christmas book, and of course, the cockles of our heart are supposed to be warmed. (Dickens did it first, and far better.) Long before the end, I was turned off. The plot is rather unbelieveable-- after all, in our culture, would anyone really care if a family decided not to celebrate Christmas? This book has none of the usual characteristics of a Grisham novel. And it's very, very short. Not worth the price even with the discount. I've given it two stars only because it's quick and easy to read, so it's valuable to pass the time somewhere like the doctor's office where you can't concentrate on a real book. Would this have been published without Grisham's name on the front? I doubt it. I'm sure it would not be selling as well as it is.
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: I know that John Grisham is a very thoughtful writer, and I have enjoyed reading all his previous books. This one intrigued me because one of the reviewers indicated that the couple who decide to skip Christmas finally discover the true meaning of the holiday in the end. Don't make the mistake I made... there is precious little that this couple discovers about anything in the end! There is no character development anywhere. In "The Testament" Grisham gave us a taste of someone who truly goes through a transformation, and I was hoping there would be something of that sort in "Skipping Christmas." No such luck, this book's tone throughout is nasty and demeaning, which some people could call sarcastic, but when that's all you have, it's really not worth reading it--the last 2-3 pages did nothing to redeem the rest of the story. Sorry, John, but you can do, and have done, so much better elsewhere!
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: I am a big fan of Grisham, and was intriqued that he wrote such a light novel. So, I read it and laughed all the way through it! Grisham describes the typical Christmas build-up perferctly. And the ending is not only a surprise, but a pleasant surprise. Try it!
Rating:
Summary: A sad commentary on American Christmas
Review: As I was reading this depressing, stressful book, I couldn't help but think about what people outside the US must think of us and the way we prepare for Christmas. Everybody was so mean to each other or envious. The Krank marriage was a bore. Their lives were so mundane. I especially hated the stressful times the Kranks had as they were preparing for their daughter's arrival. Did the mother make the caramel pies or not???Fortunately I rented this book from the library. Has John Grisham had a lombotamy?
Rating:
Summary: Small, quiet book with a great payoff
Review: I hadn't read a Grisham novel in quite some time, even though I knew he was a good read. So when this came out, I picked up a copy to renew my "relationship." So glad I did! This is a quiet little book, with a simple story and a great payoff. It's an easy read, too. The thing I like about Grishom's writing is that he doesn't flower his prose; he says what he has to and gets out. And, this book indeed helped put me further into the Christmas spirit. It is a warm, humorous and "cute" book, highly recommended! A very nice job!
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