I'll admit, I've never been a huge fan of the now cult classic movie "A Christmas Story." As such, I was a bit hesitant about reading this collection of short stories by Jean Shepherd, on which the movie was based. Luckily, I was very pleasantly surprised. I finally learned what I'm sure countless others already knew -- Mr. Shepherd was a master of wit! Each of the stories, told from the point of view of a boy who lives in Indiana in the 1930s, are semi-autobiographical accounts of Jean Shepherd's own childhood. In these shorts Mr. Shepherd captures amusing bits of Americana as seen through the eyes of a precocious lad named Ralphie Parker.

If you enjoy a hearty guffaw, read this book.