Book Seven of the 7 Fantabulous Re-Reads: Skipping Christmas

Yeah, yeah, my deadline was the 26th.  I actually did finish this on the night of the 25th, though, I promise!  I've just been busy, what with Black Friday shopping, three days of college ball and Sunday NFL!  Can't help that.

Anyhoo, the point is that I did finish all seven books, and just in time, too, because today starts the last week of classes before finals.  DUM DUM DUMMMMMM (think threatening theme music).   So, here we go with my review for Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.

My first time "reading" this book was via audiobook.  I had an hour and a half commute to and from work, a one-year-old and a newborn at home, and very little time for reading, so I found Skipping Christmas on audio and figured I'd give it a try.  It was my first time using one, and it took me a while to get used to someone reading a book to me.  Very strange. 

Once I'd finished, I went to the bookstore and bought the novel because I wanted to read it for myself.  I felt like I had probably missed a lot of details since I was mostly paying attention to driving while listening to it.  So I read it through, and loved it.  I also have the movie Christmas with the Kranks, which is a really close adaptation of the book. 

Skipping Christmas is about Luther and Nora Crank, whose daughter Blair has joined the Peace Corps and will be gone for Christmas.  Typically the Christmas season is full of spending, decorating and parties for the Kranks, but with Blair leaving, Luther decides he just doesn't feel like getting into the spirit this year.  He gets the brilliant idea of skipping Christmas - they would save their money and go on a cruise instead.  The only stipulation is that they would have to skip everything involved with Christmas:  no tree, no decorations, no donations, no presents, no party, and especially NO FROSTY. 

Frosty is the Kranks' neighborhood decoration.  Each house on Hemlock has a Frosty, and every year each neighboor puts one on the roof, so that the entire neighborhood has the same decoration.  The self-proclaimed leader of the Hemlock neighborhood is Abe Fromeyer, who seems to know everyone, including the police chief and mayor.  When it becomes apparent that Luther and Nora are skipping Christmas, it becomes Fromeyer's mission (along with the help of Luther's nemesis Walt Scheel) to "free Frosty" and save Christmas in the neighborhood.

While Nora struggles with every piece of Christmas they refuse, Luther just becomes more adamant about his decision, and prides himself on being steadfast and determined.  The Kranks' cruise will begin on Christmas Day, and Christmas Eve morning they wake up, prepared to pack and get ready for the trip, when a surprise phone call reveals that Blair is coming home for Christmas - and bringing a fiance' with her! 

Suddenly the Kranks are in a hurry to pull off a Christmas miracle to give Blair and her fiance' a proper welcome home.  Of course, finding a tree, decorations, food for a party and guests to attend prove to be more difficult than ever on Christmas Eve for Luther and Nora. 

I won't ruin it and tell you whether or not they are able to pull off the perfect Christmas, but if you've seen the movies, then you already know.  Although, even if you have seen it, I still recommend you read the novel.  It's really entertaining, especially Luther and Nora's conversations. 

Well that's all of my Fantabulous Re-Reads!  Hope everyone has a great Monday!

P.S.  Next Monday I will resume Movie Delight Mondays, and it will be the start of December, which means I will be covering my favorite Christmas movies!  Yay!