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Miserable Holiday Stories
Throw another yule log on the fire and twist that final menorah lightbulb! Author and humorist Alex Bernstein presents a collection of quirky, bittersweet tales calculated to ruin even the most blessed festivities. No matter which holidays you celebrate, these 10 stories will have you yearning for mid-January. Featuring the recent Glimmer Train finalist (but not winner) "Brownie Mix", the infamous chapter-book parody "The #$@!# Bicycle Boys Save Christmas, Again!", the never-before-printed "Blue Christmas", and stories previously appearing in such eclectic journals as The Big Jewel, Litro, Corvus, eFiction, Dysfunctional Family Story, The Legendary, Blue Print Review, and Hobo Pancakes, Miserable Holiday Stories is the perfect gift for that special someone you'd rather not ever hear from again.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2013
67 people are currently reading
2554 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 10, 2024
3.5 stars. Wasn't what I expected, but it grew on me as I went along. This collection is low key horror, but not really. Maybe just dark and a bit creepy. A fun light read, if you like that sort of thing. Guilty as charged.
March 22, 2021
Miserable holiday stories is a collection of not so miserable stories written for people who dislike holidays. The work is humorous and undoubtedly intriguing to read. Since they are short stories, you can read them at your leisure. The stories are mostly based on Christmas and Hanukkah, so it has something for all.
I enjoy comedy, and this one didn’t disappoint. We all need a good laugh every now and again, but we need it now more than ever. One important fact about comedy is that not everyone will get it, and not everyone will appreciate it. The taste or humor differs with personalities, and therefore if you simply base a book on its comedy, it is typically a hit or miss.
For me, it was enjoyable to read. The literature was predominantly dialogue-based, and I believe the author has the potential to create a fair, more extended form of fiction storytelling. The cover design suited the content and was pleasant to the eye.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read not so serious material and just wants to have a little fun.
I enjoy comedy, and this one didn’t disappoint. We all need a good laugh every now and again, but we need it now more than ever. One important fact about comedy is that not everyone will get it, and not everyone will appreciate it. The taste or humor differs with personalities, and therefore if you simply base a book on its comedy, it is typically a hit or miss.
For me, it was enjoyable to read. The literature was predominantly dialogue-based, and I believe the author has the potential to create a fair, more extended form of fiction storytelling. The cover design suited the content and was pleasant to the eye.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read not so serious material and just wants to have a little fun.
November 15, 2021
I received a complimentary copy.
It’s an odd mix of short stories that are interesting. The Elvis story was a little odd in that I didn’t catch too much of the humor but it could just be my take on it plus it had a happy ending so not miserable as the book title suggests. It is a refreshing read as it’s not like any other stories and the uniqueness is great.
It’s an odd mix of short stories that are interesting. The Elvis story was a little odd in that I didn’t catch too much of the humor but it could just be my take on it plus it had a happy ending so not miserable as the book title suggests. It is a refreshing read as it’s not like any other stories and the uniqueness is great.
January 12, 2022
This was a good way to spend some time not resenting the holidays quite as much as usual. The stories, bits, screenplays, etc. are mixed in quality and amusement factor but overall it was a decent distraction from Real Life, particularly as read alongside "The Usual Santas", an international holiday-themed mystery collection.
February 11, 2021
The short short stories were cute but the longer ones tended to be a bit confusing due to lack of detail or information. I understand some of it was because you are supposed to figure it out as the story goes but some of it just left me confused. Felt a bit like reading a stand up routine.
December 21, 2020
SKIPPED A LOT
Different, but not readable. Maybe the author tried too hard to be miserable!
Glad I bought it as a reduced price e book, not a paperback at a huge price.
Different, but not readable. Maybe the author tried too hard to be miserable!
Glad I bought it as a reduced price e book, not a paperback at a huge price.
December 27, 2020
What did I just read?
I didn't get what this book is about.
I didn't get what this book is about.
December 22, 2013
This was the first book I ever read on a Kindle, and a delightful introduction to this (relatively) new medium of sharing our stories.
And these were simply a delight to read, funny, witty and even a few which were deeply heartfelt. I laughed out loud (literally) at some of the lines, comparing a certain activity to a "chihuahua on crack" at one place and did a few extra minutes of cardio on two successive days so I could keep reading. while I worked out.
Alex Bernstein writes well -- and I can imagine him crafting his pieces with a wry smile as he constructs a fun passage or discovers an unusual simile.
A fun read and a great introduction to a new medium.
And these were simply a delight to read, funny, witty and even a few which were deeply heartfelt. I laughed out loud (literally) at some of the lines, comparing a certain activity to a "chihuahua on crack" at one place and did a few extra minutes of cardio on two successive days so I could keep reading. while I worked out.
Alex Bernstein writes well -- and I can imagine him crafting his pieces with a wry smile as he constructs a fun passage or discovers an unusual simile.
A fun read and a great introduction to a new medium.
December 19, 2020
Another title to finish out my reading goal for the year. As far as stories go most of them were pretty good. The last chapter where the author basically just free thought was boring. I really don't like to read anything like that.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews