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50th out of 264 books
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Christmas Jars
Where had it come from? Whose money was it? Was I to spend it? Save it? Pass it on to someone more needy? Above all else, why was I chosen? Certainly there were others, countless others, more needy than me...
Her reporter's intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page.
Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the rema...more
Her reporter's intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page.
Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the rema...more
Paperback, 122 pages
Published
October 4th 2005
by Shadow Mountain
(first published October 1st 2005)
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Megan
rated it
Recommends it for:
Tween girls who like Chicken Soup for the Soul
Recommended to Megan by:
Bookgroup
Shelves:
worst-books-i-ve-ever-read,
bookgroup
Some books are well written. Others tell a great story. This book fails on both accounts
I'd describe the writing as downright painful and unimaginative. The characters are saccharine sweet, the things they say and do, uncomfortably cheesy.
Things that confirmed I was reading a Bad Writer:
1) Spends way too much time describing people's eyes, hair color and what they're wearing.
"He was salt and pepper gray, but mostly salt. His chin and nose were la...more
I'd describe the writing as downright painful and unimaginative. The characters are saccharine sweet, the things they say and do, uncomfortably cheesy.
Things that confirmed I was reading a Bad Writer:
1) Spends way too much time describing people's eyes, hair color and what they're wearing.
"He was salt and pepper gray, but mostly salt. His chin and nose were la...more
view all 6 comments
I picked this book to read with my girls over the holiday season and was a bit disapointed. It didn't engage either my girls or I and concluded with the typical happy, but cheesy, and predictable ending.
I do like the idea of a Christmas Jar, though. From personnal experience I know how quickly change can accumulate. This past summer I paid for our family vacation with extra money and any spare change stored in a jar in the cupboard. I do think I will get that jar out again and de...more
I do like the idea of a Christmas Jar, though. From personnal experience I know how quickly change can accumulate. This past summer I paid for our family vacation with extra money and any spare change stored in a jar in the cupboard. I do think I will get that jar out again and de...more
This is more proof that a bestseller list tells you diddly squat about how good a book is going to be. The same lists that produce legitimately awesome fare like The Kite Runner can also get you overly saccharine flops like Christmas Jars. Now, I like me some tearjerkers, but this book left me completely dry. Not once was I moved by this predictable, trite story, about a journalist who discovers a “mysterious” trend of people anonymously leaving jars full of money to those in need around Christm...more
While it may not be written well, it moved me enough to start the tradition in our home. So I'm giving it 4 stars. I believe that everyone should read it, to get them motivated to make the Christmas Jar phenomenon a tradition of their own.
People might think this is a sappy book, but it has a great message and I recommend it. My husband keeps a big bottle where he collects money--maybe we should use it for something like this.
I like the premise of this book because the true meaning of Christmas is doing good to others, especially those in need. Can you hear the "but" coming? The book was predictable, especially in the beginning and the characters seemed to be missing something--maybe unpredictability? So while the book was easy to read, the book didn't demand to be picked up and read. I like my books bossy and sassy.
The book had a good message and made me feel good in the end. This book would be best ...more
The book had a good message and made me feel good in the end. This book would be best ...more
This may well be the worst little Christmas book you will ever read. It’s based on the silly premise that jars of money, given with love, will change lives. The writing is unbelievably bad. (Richard Paul Evans doesn’t come close) Strangely, this book was loaned to me by the same friend who introduced me to “At the Manger” last Christmas, which I plan to re-read, now that I’ve gagged my way through this one.
I picked up my mothers books from the library and found this cute little one in the pile. It is by the same author as Wednesday Letters (which I enjoyed). This could be a Nicolas Sparks book, sweet story a wonderful lesson learnt, true love has no bonds, tears shed and happily ever after ending. It is a super fast read and you do not have to wait to Christmas. good fluff.
I read this when I worked for Church Magazines. Deseret Book would send over free copies of all of their recently published Christmas stuff in the hopes that we'd review it, or something. So, I read this in three hours one afternoon in my office.
It was schmaltzy, but what Christmas story isn't? And, truthfully, it inspired me to keep my own Christmas jar, and look for someone to help out at Christmas time instead of focusing so much on my own wants. I thought it was a great idea. Of cours...more
It was schmaltzy, but what Christmas story isn't? And, truthfully, it inspired me to keep my own Christmas jar, and look for someone to help out at Christmas time instead of focusing so much on my own wants. I thought it was a great idea. Of cours...more
It was a sweet story. It definitley makes me want to start a Christmas tradition like the one in the book.
I was disappointed. Maybe I need to read it again, slowly. I have been saving my change though because of this book. I was in my congregation's Primary (children's organization) presidency & gave each member of the presidency a copy of the book as a Christmas present. The next year we used this as an ongoing Primary project. Each Sunday the kids would bring their change. They filled a large gallon pickle jar. At the end of the year, the Presidency then used the money to pick an angel off the Ang...more
(Let me preface this by saying this is NOT a book I would normally pick up/read, but someone recommended this book because he said the main character and I had a lot of parallels. I think they mainly were basing it on the fact both she and I worked for a paper).
This book is a very feel good, sappy, fairly predictable tale about a girl who is gung-ho to get out into the world and take it over with her writing. Through her doggedness and the love of her adoptive mother, she makes her ...more
This book is a very feel good, sappy, fairly predictable tale about a girl who is gung-ho to get out into the world and take it over with her writing. Through her doggedness and the love of her adoptive mother, she makes her ...more
This book is a very touching book about charity and good people and becoming a good person by doing small things. I now have my own Christmas Jar and plan on using it!
I did not expect to love this book so much. I was curious to read it, because one of my best friends loves the author. I wasn't convinced it would be one of my favorites. She gave me the book for Christmas and once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting. It is a simple read and a simple story....more
I did not expect to love this book so much. I was curious to read it, because one of my best friends loves the author. I wasn't convinced it would be one of my favorites. She gave me the book for Christmas and once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting. It is a simple read and a simple story....more
Catherine Keddington Arveseth, in her review of Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright for Meridian Magazine says, "Wright may have created a new Holiday phenomenon. Readers will be inspired to start their own tradition of giving, be it jars or something similar. Christmas Jars is a short read with a tender message ― an excellent gift for any Christian. It is magic mixed with fiction and will surely spark within you, the spirit of the season."
The predicted phenomenon has h...more
Nandi Crawford
rated it
I HAVE to say something about this book; It's just a short little story but boy, do it pack a wallop.I will also say that on the first go around of the book, I couldn't get into it, but as time moved on, I caught the gist of it which is why I am reading it a second time. Its a couple of stories in a book, and since then, I have started two jars(one to keep, one to give away during the holiday season which is something I wanted to do for a while now).But to say that I was changed was an understat...more
Kasi Lou
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone!
Recommended to Kasi by:
Glenn Beck
I'm listening to this book...It's excellent...
Started this book on 01/06/2010. Finished this book on 01/09/2010.
This past year my husband and I were watching Glenn Beck, now I don't usually watch news type stuff but that night my husband was watching it so I naturally tuned in too. He was talking about the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. The real reason, not Santa Claus reason. Then he started talking about this book called the Christmas Jars and how it ha...more
Started this book on 01/06/2010. Finished this book on 01/09/2010.
This past year my husband and I were watching Glenn Beck, now I don't usually watch news type stuff but that night my husband was watching it so I naturally tuned in too. He was talking about the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. The real reason, not Santa Claus reason. Then he started talking about this book called the Christmas Jars and how it ha...more
Ashley
rated it
Recommends it for:
everyone, first before Christmas every time after at Christmastime
Recommended to Ashley by:
my ward book group book for September
When I first borrowed this book from the library I felt kinda silly to be checking out a Christmas book and I even told the ladies that were standing nearest to me that I didn't understand why my ward book group would pick a Christmas book in September! And I was quite surprised by their reply. They said, "Maybe its good to read it now, it will give you some good ideas that will take time to work on." I smiled and said "Maybe," not at all believing that that could ever be the...more
I really loved this book. I hadn't read anything by this author before, but plan to read more of his work in the future. The book says this story is going to be made into a movie. I hope so. I would love to watch it. I liked how the book came full circle and all of the loose ends were tied up in a creative and loving way that complimented the story. The characters were well developed and you felt for them both good and bad. It is amazing that one selfless act of kindness can have such a p...more
I'm with Alison on this one. It's a little too cheesy and it's not the best writing, but it can't hurt to be reminded to be more generous, especially at Christmas. I might read it again next year, or another book by Wright to see if his writing has improved. It did make me cry in the end and I thought it would make a good movie. My 2006 copy of the book says "coming as a major motion picture." I looked into that: Kieth Merrill wrote a script and was set to direct. Hollywood and the bad...more
Jason's story, Christmas Jars, is so well written that you would feel it was a true story. Jason sets a powerful message within the pages of this book. It is a story that will make you laugh,cry, and wish you could be right there with the characters! It is definitely a "10 box of tissues" novella!
The story tells of hope, love, friendship, faith, and trusting in one another. It brings out the feeling and meaning of Christmas through this powerful message. One family's blessings ar...more
The story tells of hope, love, friendship, faith, and trusting in one another. It brings out the feeling and meaning of Christmas through this powerful message. One family's blessings ar...more
Synopsis: "Where had it come from? Whose money was it? Was I to spend it? Save it? Pass it on to someone more needy? Above all else, why was I chosen? Certainly there were others, countless others, more needy than me...
Her reporter's intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page.
Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the remarkable secret behind the "Christmas Jars", glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for ...more
Her reporter's intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page.
Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the remarkable secret behind the "Christmas Jars", glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for ...more
One of the best Christmas books I have read!
This follows the story of Hope Jensen, who was abandoned in a fast food restaurant and found and adopted by Louise Jensen. She has a wonderful relationship with her adopted mother and has high hopes of being a successful news reporter. When her mother dies of cancer and her apartment is broken into on Christmas Eve, she is left a mysterious jar filled with coins and bills. Her reporter's instincts tell her there must be a story here. She finds ot...more
This follows the story of Hope Jensen, who was abandoned in a fast food restaurant and found and adopted by Louise Jensen. She has a wonderful relationship with her adopted mother and has high hopes of being a successful news reporter. When her mother dies of cancer and her apartment is broken into on Christmas Eve, she is left a mysterious jar filled with coins and bills. Her reporter's instincts tell her there must be a story here. She finds ot...more
I gave this book three stars, because I was going to be the Grinch and not like this book at all, despite the many great reviews. I felt this way all the way until maybe the last three or four chapters. It was slow and very predictable at first and I was already anticipating a boring ending, but it surprised me in the end. Although, I still don't see how it's going to be made into a major motion picture.
By the same author as Wednesday Letters, comes Christmas Jars. Hope is found as an abandoned newborn. She and her mother make it through life with love for each other and grit. As Hope grows up she dreams of making it big writing for a newspaper. The Christmas that her mother dies, Hope's home is broken into. What could be a tragedy is quickly turned into a curiosity. Hope finds a Christmas Jar sitting outside of her house. Her curiosity is awakened and she smells a good story. Hope sets...more
Jackie
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jackie by:
Kathy M.
Shelves:
adult-fiction,
holidays-christmas
A story of remorse and redemption, love and family, and the one true meaning of Christmas, Christmas Jars, will inspire the reader to start a Christmas jar of his or her own. Hope Jensen, left by a distraught mother in a fast food chicken restaurant on Christmas Eve, hoping to give her a better life, is a loved child. Throughout her life, she knows she is destined to be a journalist. When in college, she stumbles upon a story too good to be ignored, she writes its message even though it betrays ...more
this book was a gift from my mother. it was exactly as i expected. thought-provoking, however not life-changing as some people expect/want it to be. my husband (who did not read the book) had only one joking question and it was if anyone died, because books like these always seem to knock someone off to try and elicit some tears from the reader. the answer was two (wow! the author was really trying to pull those heartstrings!) and i'm sorry, but no tears from me.
it was an excr...more
it was an excr...more
A young reporter is intrigued by the gift of a jar full of cash that appears right when she needs it the most. As she starts asking questions she discovers that lots of families in her community keep 'Christmas jars' that they fill with spare change and then give to someone in need at Christmas time. But how did this tradition get started? The reporter discovers the family that started the practise and poses as a college student to get into their good graces and figure out the story behind th...more
I found this book to be very uplifting and inspiring. It's a wonderful read to help anyone get into the Christmas spirit.
A young reporter, Hope, has been given a wonderful gift that has blessed her lives in more ways than she could ever imagine. A jar full of money. Being the reporter that she is, she want's to get to the bottom of the Christmas Jar and write the story of a lifetime.
She come in contact with a family who has started th tradition on the Christmas Jar. She w...more
A young reporter, Hope, has been given a wonderful gift that has blessed her lives in more ways than she could ever imagine. A jar full of money. Being the reporter that she is, she want's to get to the bottom of the Christmas Jar and write the story of a lifetime.
She come in contact with a family who has started th tradition on the Christmas Jar. She w...more
This book was a really good Christmas read. It really helped me to get into the giving mood. I feel one week is not enough time to start a Christmas jar on my own... but I feel it would be a good idea to start the day after christmas and use that money to bless someone else next year.
I posted that I needed to read this book on the 27th since I need to return it to the library and started the first three chapters. The following morning, today, I curled into the chair and finished it. Its the first time in a long time I put everything else aside and read cover to cover in a short time. The book isn't a challenging read, all 122 pages read very quickly.
The back cover says it all "If you think all the great Christmas stories have already been told - Think A...more
The back cover says it all "If you think all the great Christmas stories have already been told - Think A...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insomnia Book Club: Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright | 4 | 3 | Dec 01, 2011 07:17am |
Jason Wright was raised in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a regular contributor on Fox News, offering political commentary on the presidential race and serves as founder and managing director of the widely read political destination, PoliticalDerby.com. Jason enjoys volunteering and has created a literary program dedicated to creative writing for middle school students in the central Virginia ...more
More about Jason F. Wright...
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