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mschrock8's review against another edition
2.0
I was slogging through and finding this book dry until I arrived at the passages about wrapping paper and Christmas books.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
I know I'm a bit behind reviewing this. After all, nearly all the stores have replaced the reds and greens with pink hearts, chocolates, and mini heart shaped antacids. Le sigh, I'm always behind.
Anyways, this little collection of Christmas memories was cute and thoughtful and would have been much, much, more appropriate last month. Regardless, I found it cute, inspiring, and was glad that it looked past the consumerism of the holidays and went straight for the heart of the season. Joseph Bottum recalls his childhood Christmases spent in South Dakota and vividly brings alive a plethora of down home American traditions.
It's a fast read, there are a mere five chapters and there is no real organization or plot. It is a bunch of memories, stories, and traditions jumbled into one pocket sized book that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
Anyways, this little collection of Christmas memories was cute and thoughtful and would have been much, much, more appropriate last month. Regardless, I found it cute, inspiring, and was glad that it looked past the consumerism of the holidays and went straight for the heart of the season. Joseph Bottum recalls his childhood Christmases spent in South Dakota and vividly brings alive a plethora of down home American traditions.
It's a fast read, there are a mere five chapters and there is no real organization or plot. It is a bunch of memories, stories, and traditions jumbled into one pocket sized book that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
blueeyedshook's review
3.0
This was not a typical Christmas book. Nothing mushy about it, but plenty of sentimentality. It was a mixture of a Christmas memoir on South Dakota, a history book on Christmas and Christmas carols, a literature book, with a few person stories mixed in.
It was a First Reads giveaway book and one that I probably never would have picked up if I hadn't won it to begin with. But I suppose I'm glad that I did. I learned a few things. And the anecdotes which were often deeply steeped in history lessons gave me mixed emotions. Some left me smiling, others intrigued, while some just made me scratch my head.
Joseph Bottum is obviously a fantastic writer, though he is quite a columnist and sometimes that left me wondering what on earth the point was and why exactly we wanted his opinions or observations. But overall, it was enjoyable.
It was a First Reads giveaway book and one that I probably never would have picked up if I hadn't won it to begin with. But I suppose I'm glad that I did. I learned a few things. And the anecdotes which were often deeply steeped in history lessons gave me mixed emotions. Some left me smiling, others intrigued, while some just made me scratch my head.
Joseph Bottum is obviously a fantastic writer, though he is quite a columnist and sometimes that left me wondering what on earth the point was and why exactly we wanted his opinions or observations. But overall, it was enjoyable.
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