Rating: 
Summary: Helps put what matters into perspective....
Review: There are so many people who have gotten so lost in the "materialistic/commericial hype" of Christmas, that they've forgotten the true meaning of the holiday. This book was truly a pleasure to read... It had me laughing out loud quite a few times. Good book, quick read.
Rating:
Summary: Who Hasn't Thought of Skipping Christmas?
Review: It doesn't take very much imagination to ascertain the inspiration for John Grisham's latest title, "Skipping Christmas". Stores and malls that grow more crowded and less customer friendly as the final days before Christmas approach. The annual traditions that attempt to lull family and friends into forgetting budgets and credit card limits. The frenzy of swarming mobs at half price sales and lay-away counters. Time spent decorating homes, demonstrating Christmas spirit with twinkling lights and sparkling icicles. The holidays!... the season of giving and giving and giving, sometimes excessively. John Grisham introduces the reader to Luther and Nora Krank, an average couple living on an average street in an average town during the average Christmas season. This year, though... the couple have agreed to a different kind of holiday. This year, the first year that their only child, Blair, will be away from home for Christmas, the Kranks have tallied up the total cost of their previous Christmas' and decided that they're going to do things differently. Just this one year, with Blair away, Luther and Nora are "Skipping Christmas" and using the money they'll save for a special vacation. They plan to leave Christmas Day for their dream cruise. Their personal agreement with each other restricts either from spending anything on Christmas. No cards, gifts, donations, not a penny on the usual Christmas' expenses. As the big day nears, the Kranks are reminded and challenged over and over by neighbors, friends and associates... everywhere they go, everyone they know, seems to be opposing their decision. Skipping Christmas!!! Scrooge!!!... become the methodical chants from everyone they meet. Resisting pressure from their friends and neighbors, despite becoming the focus of so much negative attention, Luther and Nora stay stubbornly devoted to their decision to skip Christmas. Finally, the big day is near... one more day and they'll be on that cruise, away from all the accusations incriminating them as modern day "Scrooge's", away on that dream cruise they've been anticipating.... and then something happens. One short phone call changes their plans and, in due time, conveys the true meaning of Christmas to them all. Skipping Christmas is short and sweet [with only 177 pages] but couldn't be described as anything special. It's a neatly contrived approach to the frustration and anxiety behind all the holiday joy. It portrays all the questionably materialistic concepts and financially draining motives that encompass the season of good cheer and touches upon many of the same suspicions and disillusions we've all undoubtedly pondered. It's a nice, recognizable story... yet it fails to fulfill it's duty to the reader. Where other Christmas tales - It's A Wonderful Life, The Christmas Box and Scrooge, to name a few - send a valuable message without becoming preachy or stale, "Skipping Christmas" simply doesn't compare. Skipping Christmas didn't reveal anything new... no new insights or sincerities. Nothing to make me feel that Grisham has genuine wisdom to offer here. It's warmed-over plot and aseptic characters that I couldn't identify with or even compare to someone I know. The premise of materialism during the holidays is a well-known fact that nearly everyone has dealt with, the main reason it doesn't work well... it doesn't divulge any secrets or express any uniqueness. The story scantily represents the season or the author in a way that could be considered memorable. Skipping Christmas is a decent story. Unlike John Grisham's other tales - A Painted House, The Brethren, The Testament, The Street Lawyer, The Partner, The Runaway Jury, The Rainmaker, The Chamber, The Client, The Pelican Brief, The Firm and A Time To Kill... Skipping Christmas isn't a story I would read again and again. It didn't open up any new windows or spark any new wisdom. As far as recommending this one, I would suggest reading Skipping Christmas for yourself if you're a John Grisham fan. You might discover aspects of the story that I've failed to. For those who've never read John Grisham's other work though, I would suggest reading one of his other books. This one fails to do the author justice.
Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: This is a light but enjoyable book. It isn't a proper thriller like his other books (if you're hungry for a thriller, get Craig Furrnas' THE SHAPE) but this is enjoyable and seasonal.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I very much enjoyed A Painted House and had high expectations for this book as well. It was childish, from the character names to the inane plot (?). I would have liked to contact Mr. Grisham, but found through his web-site, that that is not possible. I would, in all probability, invest in a sequel to A Painted House, but will steer clear of any "holiday specials", The Grinch has a much higher rating in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT holiday fun!
Review: Picked this up at the airport and thoroughly enjoyed waiting for my flight. Not what I would have expected from Grisham, but I found this book quite enjoyable. Plot is different, entertaining, and easy to read. Not a lot of fluff like you find in most books. Good reading, great gift idea.
Rating:
Summary: I'm "Skipping Christmas" this year..
Review: Skipping Christmas is about Luther and Nora Krank who see their only daughter, Blair, off on a Peace
Corps assignment,at Christmas time. Luther decides
that he has had it with Christmas and all of it's anxiety, work, and
cost, so he talks Nora into just skipping it this year in lou of a
cruise. You would not believe what these poor people go through. You will see
yourself, your neighbors, your friends, your family, and even yourself,
in each and every page. You will laugh so hard that you will actually
ache from it, but you won't be able to stop. This book doesn't take a lot of concentration, however you will not be
able to put it down. Just perfect for this time of the year, IMO. You have got to read this, but stay near the bathroom, cause you are
going to wet your pants laughing at these poor people.
Rating:
Summary: A New Level Of Writing For Grisham --- Superb
Review: After reading "Painted House", I knew John Grisham was on a new level of writing. "Skipping Christmas" is a perfect example of what I consider to be great comedy writing --- funny story and great characters. I hope he keeps it up in books to come. The plot is shallow enough to allow you to fly through the book in several hours, yet it's inspirational. The presentation reminds me of the well known "It's A Wonderful Life" and the current not well known "West Point" by Norman Thomas Remick. I recommend that you also read the latter. I say "also" because you shouldn't miss "Skipping Christmas, which I give 5 stars not only for the book, but for how clever Grisham was, conceptually, when he chose to write this book. Why, his motive for the book turns out to be the complete antithesis of the storyline. He foresaw the readers will do just the opposite of skip Christmas by purchasing his book for Christmas! He cleverly recognized the irony of it all --- and must be smiling all the way to the bank! Way to go, John!
Rating:
Summary: Fun Read
Review: This is the perfect book to escape with. There is just to much reality these days and this is the perfect cure. At one point in the book(no I will not say when) I was laughing so hard I was crying. I can't remember the last time that happened. I would recommed this book for a quick,fast,fun read.
Rating: 
Summary: This is not a good book
Review: I expected a light read, but did not expect to be annoyed by this book! There are many reasons why someone would choose (or wish) to skip Christmas, and many reasons why it would be almost impossible in our culture. Grisham, however (or whoever wrote this, it isn't up to Grisham standards), only considers one (the materialistic excesses) and sets his scenes with a cartoon-like quality. The first half is entertaining, but both the author and the character cave in to society's expectations, falling flat in attempts to express something about the "real meaning of Christmas." I was hoping this book might expand on the idea that there are as many expressions of the "real meaning" as there are Christians, and illustrate how one man searched for his own. Alas.... Maybe next year.
Rating:
Summary: Skipping Christmas
Review: What an enjoyable read. John Grisham has put into words the feelings that we all have at some time during Christmas, the things we dare not say out loud. I expected this book to resemble the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and there were a few references to humbugs. However I was pleasantly surprised by the way the story unfolded and the very heart warming end. This book could be turned into one of those tear jerking, feel good Christmas movies. I hope it is.
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