Always on the search for books for my book club, I needed a book for December. Should I choose a holiday-themed story? Or should I simply choose one unrelated to holidays? In order to decide, I read several holiday stories. As I looked through the bookshelves in my home, I discovered Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, a book I had forgotten I owned. At under 200 pages, it would be a good choice for December when folks are busy.
The New York Times calls Skipping Christmas “a classic tale for modern times from a beloved storyteller. John Grisham offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition.”
Luther Krank, an appropriate name, decides to skip Christmas because his only daughter has left for Peru to spend two years working with the Peace Corps in Peru. Once his daughter is on the plane, Luther tells Nora, his wife, they are going to skip Christmas because they spent $6100 on Christmas last year and have nothing to show for that money. Once he has persuaded Nora to go along with his scheme, he springs the next part: a Caribbean Cruise during Christmas.
Nora is reluctant to go along with Luther’s plan, but he insists with their daughter unable to be home for Christmas, it is the perfect time to skip the holiday. He buys the cruise tickets. The next part is refusing to participate in any of the holiday festivities: no tree, no lights on the house, no Frosty the Snowman on the roof like the rest of the neighborhood.
Of course, Luther’s decision is questioned by all and sundry as they cannot believe he will let the neighborhood down by not decorating. One of his coworkers wants to go on the cruise with Luther and Nora, leaving his own family behind. That won’t work, but Luther feels his coworker sympathizes with him in his desire to skip the madness of the holiday.
Readers can feel the mounting tension as Luther continues to hold steady to his decision to stay away from all holiday traditions. Then Luther and Nora receive an unexpected phone call from their daughter. Suddenly, all of Luther’s plans are turned upside down. Read Skipping Christmas to discover the rest.
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