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Dec 07, 2008

Chelsey rated it:

All I can say is at least I didn't waste too much time reading this. The story was formulaic, the dialogue painful, and the writing lazy. The story is based on a personal experience, and it would have been a much better book if he would have simply told the real story instead of trying to embellish it to create a sense of pathos. While there is undoubtedly a good message, it comes across as a quick way to make a buck by preying on people's sentimentality this time of year.

10 comments like (13 people liked it)

Dec 28, 2008

Kate rated it:

Glen Beck may be a well-known radio host, but he writes with all the finesse of a high school sophomore. In this semi-autobiographical "heartwarming Christmas tale", Beck tells about 12-year old Eddie who, along with his mother, has had some hard times since the death of his father a couple of years before. Eddie just knows that getting a new bike will make things better.

It will come as no surprise to any reader that, instead of the hoped-for bike, Eddie instead receive More...

0 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jan 06, 2010

Meggen rated it:

This year's review . . .

I think I loved this book even more the 2nd time around! Perhaps it is because I now have a son the same age as the main character, and he is struggling with some of the same emotions sometimes. In any case, it gave me great hope for the future! Very touching reminder of the love of our Father, the power of redemption, and what is most important in life! I will read this book again!

Last year's review . . .

While this book was More...

6 comments like (8 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2010

Lisa rated it:

Some of the story is based on events in Glenn Beck's young life in a working class family that didn't have much of material value. Glenn wants the things other kids have, like a shiny new red bike for Christmas. Glenn learns that he doesn't always get the possessions he wants, but he learns about what is really important.

If anyone other than Glenn Beck had written this, it would have been predictable, sickeningly sweet, and cheesy. Glenn is able to express his feelings about the ato More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 29, 2009

Michael rated it:

I put this one on reserve at the library before Christmas, hoping it might come in in time to enjoy during the holiday season. It didn't but when it arrived in early January, I hoped it might be close enough to the holiday that I'd still enjoy the story and get the Chrismtas spirit all over again.

I suppose if I'd read this story during the holiday season, it might have had a greater impact. Or I might have felt more forgiving of it since it's pretty clear from page one exactly where More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 29, 2008

Tanis rated it:

Here's an idea - what if we read Christmas books ANY time of the year, and not just at Christmastime? Around Christmas there is an emphasis on gratitude, charity, kindness, and love, which is wonderful, but there's no reason to focus on those things only in December. This book helped to remind me how much I truly have to be grateful for. Wonderful story.

0 comments like (9 people liked it)

Dec 16, 2008

Tracey rated it:

I am a huge Glenn Beck fan and can relate to his quirky sense of humor. I didn't know what to expect from this book. I was pleasantly surprised. Very quick read with a wonderful message about family, faith and the things that are important. It will be one of those books that will be read over and over any time of the year.

0 comments like (6 people liked it)

Nov 12, 2011

Becky rated it:

Good book for any time, not just Christmas time. Although it's message does remind us why we celebrate Christmas.

At first I was disappointed at the ending but as I read on (to the events of Glenn Beck's life that shaped this novel), I appreciated it more.

It's full of good quotes - most of which are very similar to those I've heard my parents tell me one time or another.
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"Most times we're so focused on w More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 04, 2008

Debby rated it:

Wow!! The last two chapters found me sobbing like a baby...okay quietly sobbing at night. I had very little sympathy for the main character until the end of the book. The storm that inevitably gets us is a "doozy." Luckily my faith carries me through the storms of life, sometimes easily, sometimes not. This book made me think about the gift given to all of us, whether we want to accept it or not. Great book!!

0 comments like (6 people liked it)

Nov 12, 2008

Lisa rated it:

I am such a fan of Glenn Beck and was excited to buy this book on its release date. I also read it all on the same day. A compelling story that everyone can relate to and connect with on many levels. I'm giving it five stars; not because it is on the same level as many of the great works of literature but because it was so thought provoking. His spiritual insights touched me deeply and I hope that many will read this and really take it to heart. Now that would be a way to bring change to this wo More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Dec 07, 2008

Alyssa rated it:

This book has some powerful messages. Some that hit home the most for me: I am worthy of the journey AND the destination I'm in. Forgiveness is happiness. The atonement makes it possible for me to start over anytime I need to.
I highly recommend this book for everyone this Christmas. Thanks, Dad, for the book!

7 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jan 14, 2009

Danielle rated it:

You should read this book 1) because it's short and requires minimal effort; 2) because it teaches you something about yourself; and 3) because it will leave you with that warm, and yes, sappy Christmas-time feeling that so many elitist readers seem to think is somehow beneath them.
Here's the thing: you know going in to a book like this that your heartstrings are going to get a good tug. Add to that the back cover blurb claiming the style is reminiscent of Mitch Albom, and that's all I nee More...

1 comment like (5 people liked it)

Nov 22, 2008

Tricia rated it:

I wasn't sure if I would like this book but it was great. This book has so many truths about growing up and figuring out who we are. That forgiveness is always available to us, even for the big sins. There were times when I wasn't sure where the story was going or why, but in the end I was quite pleased. I've handed it off to my 11 year old son, because I feel it has some very important lessons, that are better learned from books than your own experience.

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Nov 18, 2009

Helynne rated it:

I am always amazed at the popularity of these sentimental and pedestrian Christmas stories that hit the bookstores every autumn, and if this sounds like sour grapes, it is. I'll admit to being irritated that writers like Glenn Beck and Richard Paul Evans consistently hit pay dirt nationally with their sappy stories and embarassingly bland and medicore writing styles. This offering from Beck is supposedly based on a true story from his own childhood, but it is so fraught with hackneyed literar More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Nov 13, 2008

Karl rated it:

The Christmas Sweater is an amazing book it is full of emotions. I was amazed at how Brother Beck was able to capture what I have tried to for years. Thanks Gleen I am not a reader. However when I pick up a book and read it cover to cover in one sitting that is saying something for that book. BTW it has only happened once

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Dec 24, 2008

Ben rated it:

A phenomenal book. Glenn Beck takes the reader through his life and experiences he had that helped him discover many of the same lessons that we must all learn: 1.) Life is not fair. 2.) God wants us to be happy. 3.) While God wants us to be happy, whether or not we ARE happy depends entirely on how we live our life in comparison with those events which God sees fit to subject.

While some may not appreciate the obvious comparisons to the Gospel, the author uses the story to sha More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 21, 2008

Cindy rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 16, 2008

Kathy rated it:

Twelve year old Eddie is very, very angry. His dad has died and then his mother dies at Christmas after Eddie stubbornly refuses to stay overnight at his grandparents. Eddie has to live with the guilt for years. Did he cause her death? That's pretty tough for adults to live with, but for a twelve year old, nearly impossible. (I strongly disagreed with the one professional review I read. Glenn Beck has opened up his soul. The professional reviewer ought to try it). The path Beck had to ta More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 31, 2008

Rachaelita rated it:

"The Christmas Sweater" had a lovely message about life, gratitude, and spirituality. I enjoyed the point the author was trying to make about how people need to value what they have and less of what they they think want. There was also a very poignant message conveyed about being less self-involved, as all too often we fail to see those around us and what is going on in their lives as well as what they mean in our lives. Any reader can take away a valuable moral from Beck's story. Howe More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 10, 2009

Jeremy rated it:

Glenn Beck is a laughably poor writer. I haven’t read his non-fiction stuff, but it sells pretty well. I cant imagine it’s this hard to read, or else it wouldn’t have sold so well, right? I think the last book I read that made me cringe at how badly it was written was Da Vinci Code. This book rips off every Christmas book and movie cliche you can think of, and he doesn’t try to hide it.

I thought I’d choose a Christmas book to help get me in the Christmas spirit, but instead I was More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2009

Marygrace rated it:

reading this for my book group. Altho not a Glenn Beck fan in any shape or form.

Maybe I am not a fair judge seeing I do not like Glenn Beck. It was a spiritual awaking because of grief book. Kind of like "The Shack" but not as well written in my opinion. Not near as good as " Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza...altho is it fair to compare a book that is non-fiction to fiction (altho the fiction is based on true life). Probably not. So if you want a quick Chris More...

11 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 25, 2009

Tiffany rated it:

Sometimes it is hard to read a book you've heard a lot about with an open mind. When I read this book I kept wondering what was actually from Glenn's life and what was fiction. I have to admit when I got half way through I stopped reading and just skimmed it. I found it too frustrating and depressing. I am glad other people have liked it and found inspiration from it but for me I just didn't like it that much.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 07, 2008

Rebecca rated it:

I really loved this book. It's about a boy who wants a bike for Christmas. He and his mom are poor, but this boy feels like he's really earned this bike. On Christmas morning, he discovers that he didn't get the bike, but a handmade Christmas sweater by his mom. He's so mad that he goes upstairs and throws it on the floor. His mom goes up after him to discover the Christmas sweater that she had worked so hard on and made with so much love in a heap on the floor. She is devistated. It made More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 15, 2009

Janell rated it:

This story was a fast read. In fact, I finished it in about 24 hours. Eddie has lost his father to cancer. In spite of their financial struggles, he is hoping his mom will get him a bike for Christmas. Instead he receives a sweater that she knitted herself and he is unable to hide his disappointment. The writing and descriptions in the book were simple but fit the story. My stars come from the emotional connection I felt to the events and the impact of its message.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Nov 12, 2008

Jenny rated it:

Glenn Beck is doing a signing at my store this weekend, so I wanted to read the book he'll be signing. To be perfectly honest, I didn't think I would like it - but I did! The message at the novel's heart is a good one: live with kindness, have faith, be true to yourself as a child of God. Not a bad thing to be reminded of, especially in these tough times. Much of the novel is autobiographical, and Beck shares his story with warmth and courage. Some of it reads a bit like a fable and some of it i More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 12, 2009

Denise rated it:

This book was okay--the first half of it was promising with fair character development and a moving storyline, but the second half didn't really follow through. Beck tried to put too many one-line lessons learned in through Grandpa's character--it felt a little forced. The ending was strange, although he says it was based on a real life-altering experience of his. I believe him, it just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book and with Eddie's character. I was disappointed with the end a More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 29, 2008

Melanie rated it:

I rec'd this as a gift from my son and I could not put it down. I finished it in such a rush this morning that I have to go back and reread the last 3 chapters. It is a wonderful story of second chances, hope and the despair of growing up

1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Dec 22, 2008

Beth rated it:

Wow, is mainly what I have to say. This book was an unexpected fantastic read, especially during the Christmas season. I enjoyed every minute of this book and would recommend it to everyone. This is a Christmas time must. Plus I like Glenn Beck, I didn't realize he'd be such a great author.

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 03, 2008

April rated it:

I really didn't expect much from this book but wanted to read a holiday story. It had me in tears. Such a nice message--I enjoyed it.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 17, 2009

Casey rated it:

One of my favorite Christmas stories!
The story is based on true events from Glenn Beck's life although there are obviously some embellishments to the story. If you go to the back of the book you're told what parts of the story were real and which ones were added to make the story more interesting. Also, I do have to warn you that the book is a tear- jerker and you probably shouldn't read it at work while people are shopping in your store. (personal experience. It leaves you with red puffy More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

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