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Christmas, Present
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and to live each year of their lives as if it were their last. A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year—like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date—two days before Christmas—turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last. In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a woman calmly gathers her family around her during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together—both past and future—and to truly count their blessings. A family history unfolds in a single night in this deeply affecting story that speaks volumes about love, trust, and letting go—a perfect holiday read that underscores the true meaning of the season. “Mitchard’s gift is her ability to present her characters in a compassionate light, even when revealing them at their weakest moments.”— Us Weekly
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2003
37 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Jacquelyn Mitchard
80 books1,227 followersJacquelyn Mitchard’s first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was named by USA Today as one of the ten most influential books of the past 25 years – second only to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (but second by a long shot, it must be said.)
The Deep End of the Ocean was chosen as the first novel in the book club made famous by the TV host Oprah Winfrey, and transformed into a feature film produced by and starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Most of Mitchard’s novels have been greater or lesser bestsellers – and include The Most Wanted, A Theory of Relativity, Twelve Times Blessed, The Breakdown Lane, The Good Son, and Cage of Stars. Critics have praised them for their authentic humanity and command of story. Readers identify because they see reflected, in her characters – however extreme their circumstances – emotions they already understand.
Mitchard also has written four novels for young adults.
The first, Now You See Her, from HarperTeen, is the story of a pampered, driven young actress who fakes her own abduction.
All We Know of Heaven told the story of lifetime best friends Bridget and Maureen, who are just sixteen when a fatal crash on an icy road and a poignant case of mistaken identity divide their small Minnesota town forever.
The Midnight Twins was the first in a trilogy of teen mysteries about identical twin sisters born on New Year’s Eve – one a minute before and a minute after midnight – Meredith and Mallory Brynn learn on the night they turn thirteen that their psychic abilities will force them to intervene in dire events, although one twin can see only the future and one can see only the past. The Midnight Twins is in development as a TV series by Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
Mitchard's newest novel for adult, A Very Inconvenient Scandal, out in November 2023 from Mira/HarperCollins, is the story of an acclaimed young underwater photographer whose famed marine biologist father shatters their family by marrying her best friend., a woman 35 years his junior.
At the local coffee shop, Mitchard is best-known as the mother of Rob, Dan, Marty, Francie, Mia, Will and Atticus , as the grandma of Hank and Diana and the wife of handsome Chris Brent.
Her favorite color is periwinkle blue; her favorite holiday is Halloween; her favorite flower is freesia; her favorite word is "smite," and her second favorite is "Massachusetts"; her lucky number is 119 (anyone who can guess where that comes from wins free first editions of her novels for life). She lives in her favorite place on earth, Cape Cod, summering in a villa on the Amalfi Coast. (Guess which part of that sentence is fiction.)
Her essays have appeared in publications including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune Magazine and Reader's Digest, and are widely anthologized and used in school curricula. She has taught in MFA programs in Vermont, Ohio, and Massachusetts, and is part of the faculty at the Summer Writers Institute at Yale University. She is a member of the Tall Poppies Writers and has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Ragdale Foundation.
Her pet peeves are known authors and editors who cannot and will not learn the difference between “lie” and “lay” and family signs pluralized with apostrophes.
She would love to appear on just ONE episode of any incarnation of ‘Law and Order,’ as has everyone else in America. She still is willing to play the role of a murder victim – except one found by earth-moving equipment in a landfill – though she would do that in a pinch.
Mitchard would like to have a swimming pool, because, although she lives near the ocean, she is afraid of the dark water and hates sand. She would love to have a clawfoot tub, or any tub.
She believes that stories are the ways that human beings make sense of life and that our stories will save us.
The Deep End of the Ocean was chosen as the first novel in the book club made famous by the TV host Oprah Winfrey, and transformed into a feature film produced by and starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Most of Mitchard’s novels have been greater or lesser bestsellers – and include The Most Wanted, A Theory of Relativity, Twelve Times Blessed, The Breakdown Lane, The Good Son, and Cage of Stars. Critics have praised them for their authentic humanity and command of story. Readers identify because they see reflected, in her characters – however extreme their circumstances – emotions they already understand.
Mitchard also has written four novels for young adults.
The first, Now You See Her, from HarperTeen, is the story of a pampered, driven young actress who fakes her own abduction.
All We Know of Heaven told the story of lifetime best friends Bridget and Maureen, who are just sixteen when a fatal crash on an icy road and a poignant case of mistaken identity divide their small Minnesota town forever.
The Midnight Twins was the first in a trilogy of teen mysteries about identical twin sisters born on New Year’s Eve – one a minute before and a minute after midnight – Meredith and Mallory Brynn learn on the night they turn thirteen that their psychic abilities will force them to intervene in dire events, although one twin can see only the future and one can see only the past. The Midnight Twins is in development as a TV series by Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
Mitchard's newest novel for adult, A Very Inconvenient Scandal, out in November 2023 from Mira/HarperCollins, is the story of an acclaimed young underwater photographer whose famed marine biologist father shatters their family by marrying her best friend., a woman 35 years his junior.
At the local coffee shop, Mitchard is best-known as the mother of Rob, Dan, Marty, Francie, Mia, Will and Atticus , as the grandma of Hank and Diana and the wife of handsome Chris Brent.
Her favorite color is periwinkle blue; her favorite holiday is Halloween; her favorite flower is freesia; her favorite word is "smite," and her second favorite is "Massachusetts"; her lucky number is 119 (anyone who can guess where that comes from wins free first editions of her novels for life). She lives in her favorite place on earth, Cape Cod, summering in a villa on the Amalfi Coast. (Guess which part of that sentence is fiction.)
Her essays have appeared in publications including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune Magazine and Reader's Digest, and are widely anthologized and used in school curricula. She has taught in MFA programs in Vermont, Ohio, and Massachusetts, and is part of the faculty at the Summer Writers Institute at Yale University. She is a member of the Tall Poppies Writers and has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Ragdale Foundation.
Her pet peeves are known authors and editors who cannot and will not learn the difference between “lie” and “lay” and family signs pluralized with apostrophes.
She would love to appear on just ONE episode of any incarnation of ‘Law and Order,’ as has everyone else in America. She still is willing to play the role of a murder victim – except one found by earth-moving equipment in a landfill – though she would do that in a pinch.
Mitchard would like to have a swimming pool, because, although she lives near the ocean, she is afraid of the dark water and hates sand. She would love to have a clawfoot tub, or any tub.
She believes that stories are the ways that human beings make sense of life and that our stories will save us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
July 13, 2016
Sinto que trouxe gato por lebre. Vejamos; quando num ataque de insanidade decidi pesquisar no site da biblioteca livros cujo titulo tivesse a palavra Natal, estava à espera de histórias alusivas à época, à semelhança daqueles filmes que vemos por estes dias, enrolados no sofá com uma manta e um gato no colo.
Em comum com esse espirito, este livro só tem o titulo e o facto da história se passar pouco antes do dia de Natal.
"Quando já nada podemos fazer, não pensamos em nós."
Quando após a rotura de um aneurisma, uma mulher sabe que tem poucas horas de vida, faz o quê? Manda tudo pro diabo, ou mantém a cabeça fria e planeia ao pormenor as poucas horas que lhe restam? Para a personagem não foi difícil decidir. Planeou o futuro das filhas, do marido, escreveu cartas para todos, comprou presentes, nem se esqueceu do desparasitante para a cadela. E foi aqui que a autora pecou. Exagerou. Nem uma lágrima, nem um gesto de revolta. Não acredito em tanta frieza e serenidade frente à realidade de só ter umas horas de vida. Os diálogos não tiveram a profundidade que se esperava do tema e as personagens divagavam em conversas que não interessavam.
Mas puxa à lágrima, lá isso puxa. E é impossível não pensarmos que pode acontecer a cada um de nós. E se acontecer, fazemos o quê?!
Em comum com esse espirito, este livro só tem o titulo e o facto da história se passar pouco antes do dia de Natal.
"Quando já nada podemos fazer, não pensamos em nós."
Quando após a rotura de um aneurisma, uma mulher sabe que tem poucas horas de vida, faz o quê? Manda tudo pro diabo, ou mantém a cabeça fria e planeia ao pormenor as poucas horas que lhe restam? Para a personagem não foi difícil decidir. Planeou o futuro das filhas, do marido, escreveu cartas para todos, comprou presentes, nem se esqueceu do desparasitante para a cadela. E foi aqui que a autora pecou. Exagerou. Nem uma lágrima, nem um gesto de revolta. Não acredito em tanta frieza e serenidade frente à realidade de só ter umas horas de vida. Os diálogos não tiveram a profundidade que se esperava do tema e as personagens divagavam em conversas que não interessavam.
Mas puxa à lágrima, lá isso puxa. E é impossível não pensarmos que pode acontecer a cada um de nós. E se acontecer, fazemos o quê?!
October 10, 2019
I haven't read a book, I could read in one sitting, in quite some time; in that, this book was an excellent read for me. I was able to pick it up, and put it down (once fully read), feeling accomplished. The above was the highlight of "Christmas, Present" for me - its brevity.
I know, that sounds harsh; but, what's a good review without telling the truth?
I gave this book a 2 star rating and have deemed it "okay". In a sense, this book was wasted time; but, for me, it served to cleanse my reader's palate/brain. This book provided me with a reprieve from the depth of other material I've been reading as of late; and, will enable me to dive back into them with renewed passion and fervor.
What holds "Christmas, Present" back from being great is held within its compactness. The characters, in many cases, were underdeveloped. The conversation pieces stilted. Unrealistic speech patterns present. Disjointed. A mess.
Of course, in part, the words and thoughts were presented from a patient who had suffered a brain aneurysm and subsequent stroke. In this regard, perhaps the disjointness could be looked upon as a touch of genius by the authoress; however, a touch of genius does not a great work make.
I was disappointed because the storyline had the potential to be far more powerful.
There were passages where I was able to feel. To be in the hospital room(s). To be present with the characters in ways that moved me; but, these moments were few and far between and I'm able to count them on one hand.
I had hoped for more but ended up being dissatisfied from beginning to end.
I could say more. Dissect bits and pieces. Fully showing what moved me and why; as well as, what bothered me and why. Despite the books size there's much that could be said; perhaps, a review like that would be better served within a blog post of "Christmas, Present" instead?
Despite this book being just okay, I'm still glad I read it. Twaddle is important to read from time to time; and, as far as twaddle goes, this wasn't great but it was okay. And okay is whatever you'd like to make of it.
I know, that sounds harsh; but, what's a good review without telling the truth?
I gave this book a 2 star rating and have deemed it "okay". In a sense, this book was wasted time; but, for me, it served to cleanse my reader's palate/brain. This book provided me with a reprieve from the depth of other material I've been reading as of late; and, will enable me to dive back into them with renewed passion and fervor.
What holds "Christmas, Present" back from being great is held within its compactness. The characters, in many cases, were underdeveloped. The conversation pieces stilted. Unrealistic speech patterns present. Disjointed. A mess.
Of course, in part, the words and thoughts were presented from a patient who had suffered a brain aneurysm and subsequent stroke. In this regard, perhaps the disjointness could be looked upon as a touch of genius by the authoress; however, a touch of genius does not a great work make.
I was disappointed because the storyline had the potential to be far more powerful.
There were passages where I was able to feel. To be in the hospital room(s). To be present with the characters in ways that moved me; but, these moments were few and far between and I'm able to count them on one hand.
I had hoped for more but ended up being dissatisfied from beginning to end.
I could say more. Dissect bits and pieces. Fully showing what moved me and why; as well as, what bothered me and why. Despite the books size there's much that could be said; perhaps, a review like that would be better served within a blog post of "Christmas, Present" instead?
Despite this book being just okay, I'm still glad I read it. Twaddle is important to read from time to time; and, as far as twaddle goes, this wasn't great but it was okay. And okay is whatever you'd like to make of it.
December 13, 2015
Este livro foi uma releitura. Já o tinha lido há uns 8 anos atrás e lembrei que me marcou imenso na altura. Após reler este livro a minha opinião não mudou muito. Acho que é uma história simples mas que nos faz pensar na vida. Na maneira como de um momento para o outro podemos perder alguém que amamos muito.
January 17, 2015
This was a disappointing audiobook. The reader's voice was annoying, the plot was depressing and tedius; the elements seemed to be much too loosely joined. The characters were cardboard, and their actions not realistic.
November 20, 2024
Listened to the audiobook. The author's voice is irritating and whiny. The story does not ring true and the ending is annoyingly predictable.
November 26, 2010
Beautifully written but depressing, unrealistic, and pointless. If there's a take-away message here I didn't see it!
December 26, 2023
Christmas, Present is a sad little tale about a woman whose aneurysm bursts and then has just a few hours to live, while her doctor searches the internet for any new treatments. There is little character development for these shallow characters, almost no plot, and the audiobook narrator is whiny. I don't think the book has much to do with the season at all except for the fact that it happens a few days before Christmas. In my struggle to find something redeeming about this book, I'm glad I got it from the library, the cover with two snow angels is attractive, and I was able to clean the bathrooms while listening to this.
November 17, 2025
A sad little book where a mother of three has an aneurysm and is dying over the night of Christmas Eve. She is the most composed character of the book.
Full of feelings and emotions. Laura tries to say goodbye to everyone while helping them accept this tragic news.
Quick read.
Full of feelings and emotions. Laura tries to say goodbye to everyone while helping them accept this tragic news.
Quick read.
June 20, 2019
Elliott Banner cannot remember whether this December 23rd is his fourteenth or fifteenth wedding anniversary. On their fifteenth anniversary, he wants to surprise his wife, Laura, with a long-desired trip to Paris. Thankfully, after presenting Laura with tickets to Cirque du Soleil, he finds out that he has another year to plan the Paris vacation.
But on the trip home that evening, Laura experiences an excruciating headache. Their car breaks down, and when they finally get to the hospital, the news is devastating. Laura has experienced a ruptured aneurysm and has only a few hours to live. Struggling to process the information and notify the rest of their family, Laura and Elliott look back on their lives together and apart. How do we survive the loss of those closest to us? What would we say and do if we had only a short time to say good-bye?
Christmas, Present is not really a book about the Christmas holiday. Although Laura and Elliott's anniversary and Laura's death occur right before Christmas, it's not a focal point of the story. At its heart, this is a story of love and loss and reflecting without regret. As a mother, I identified with Laura's desire to communicate the minutiae of her everyday life to her family in order to make the transition easier after her death. Elliott's effort to grasp and come to terms with the situation will ring true with every reader who has experienced the loss of a loved one.
Although Christmas, Present is a short novel, it packs an emotional punch. The ending is sweet and made the book a worthwhile read for me. If you are expecting a novel about the meaning and celebration of Christmas, you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for a heartfelt story about the love of a family, this is the perfect holiday read.
But on the trip home that evening, Laura experiences an excruciating headache. Their car breaks down, and when they finally get to the hospital, the news is devastating. Laura has experienced a ruptured aneurysm and has only a few hours to live. Struggling to process the information and notify the rest of their family, Laura and Elliott look back on their lives together and apart. How do we survive the loss of those closest to us? What would we say and do if we had only a short time to say good-bye?
Christmas, Present is not really a book about the Christmas holiday. Although Laura and Elliott's anniversary and Laura's death occur right before Christmas, it's not a focal point of the story. At its heart, this is a story of love and loss and reflecting without regret. As a mother, I identified with Laura's desire to communicate the minutiae of her everyday life to her family in order to make the transition easier after her death. Elliott's effort to grasp and come to terms with the situation will ring true with every reader who has experienced the loss of a loved one.
Although Christmas, Present is a short novel, it packs an emotional punch. The ending is sweet and made the book a worthwhile read for me. If you are expecting a novel about the meaning and celebration of Christmas, you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for a heartfelt story about the love of a family, this is the perfect holiday read.
January 23, 2023
I took this book from the library because of the word "Christmas" in the title, but the only thing that connects it to Christmas is that the story is happening on the 23rd/24th of Decembre.
Elliot takes his wife, Laura, to a Cirque du Soleil show for their 14th wedding anniversary. After the end of the show, while they are driving home, their car suddenly just stops, and Laura complains of a terrible headache. She is taken to the hospital where they find out that she had an aneurism on her brain that hemorrhaged. She is told that she would soon die, and the rest of the novel we follow Laura while she comes to terms with her inevitable death and says goodbye to her loved ones, and Elliot as he tries to come to terms with his wife's sudden sickness, death and the future life as a single dad of three girls.
The book was not at all what I expected, but it was a good story that I couldn't put down, in spite of its not at all merry topic.
Elliot takes his wife, Laura, to a Cirque du Soleil show for their 14th wedding anniversary. After the end of the show, while they are driving home, their car suddenly just stops, and Laura complains of a terrible headache. She is taken to the hospital where they find out that she had an aneurism on her brain that hemorrhaged. She is told that she would soon die, and the rest of the novel we follow Laura while she comes to terms with her inevitable death and says goodbye to her loved ones, and Elliot as he tries to come to terms with his wife's sudden sickness, death and the future life as a single dad of three girls.
The book was not at all what I expected, but it was a good story that I couldn't put down, in spite of its not at all merry topic.
January 29, 2023
2 livro do desafio dos livros entre amigas...
Este livro se fosse lido noutra altura, provavelmente "cairia" melhor. É um livro pequeno, de apenas 104 páginas, mas carregado de sentimentos, sentimentos de alguém que vai morrer e que se tem de despedir e de toda a família que vai sentir a perda. Neste momento eu encontro-me numa fase menos boa a nível emocional e este livro acho que veio piorar esses sentimentos. Fez-me sentir egoísta, fraca e chorinhas. Fico aliviada por o ter terminado, mas sei que nos próximos tempos ainda vou pensar nele.. e fez-me querer fazer algo. Decidi que tenho de escrever umas cartas às pessoas que eu mais amo, para o caso de acontecer algo (afinal a vida é um sopro), quero ter algo concreto para dizer. Quero que saibam o quanto gosto delas e o que significam para mim... posso ir escrevendo uma por ano, enquanto eu cá estiver... mas sei que tenho que o fazer. Deixar um pouco de mim...
Este livro se fosse lido noutra altura, provavelmente "cairia" melhor. É um livro pequeno, de apenas 104 páginas, mas carregado de sentimentos, sentimentos de alguém que vai morrer e que se tem de despedir e de toda a família que vai sentir a perda. Neste momento eu encontro-me numa fase menos boa a nível emocional e este livro acho que veio piorar esses sentimentos. Fez-me sentir egoísta, fraca e chorinhas. Fico aliviada por o ter terminado, mas sei que nos próximos tempos ainda vou pensar nele.. e fez-me querer fazer algo. Decidi que tenho de escrever umas cartas às pessoas que eu mais amo, para o caso de acontecer algo (afinal a vida é um sopro), quero ter algo concreto para dizer. Quero que saibam o quanto gosto delas e o que significam para mim... posso ir escrevendo uma por ano, enquanto eu cá estiver... mas sei que tenho que o fazer. Deixar um pouco de mim...
December 2, 2019
This book is a marvelous story that can be read in a few hours. I do caution though that this is not a sweet, sappy, or even happy Christmas book. The truth is, the only real "Christmas" thing about the book is it is placed during this season.
No, in fact, it is a sad book and reminds the reader that even though there may be a holiday in the mix of things, that life and death still go on. It reminds to be grateful for life and to live in the "present" and to enjoy it as it is now.
It also reminds us that even in the face of tragedy that life will continue and that even though loved ones may not be here for the big things, like Christmas, that there is hope, love, peace, and joy.
That my dear readers, is what it is all about. 4 stars.
Disclosure: I own a copy of this book. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Michelle
No, in fact, it is a sad book and reminds the reader that even though there may be a holiday in the mix of things, that life and death still go on. It reminds to be grateful for life and to live in the "present" and to enjoy it as it is now.
It also reminds us that even in the face of tragedy that life will continue and that even though loved ones may not be here for the big things, like Christmas, that there is hope, love, peace, and joy.
That my dear readers, is what it is all about. 4 stars.
Disclosure: I own a copy of this book. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Michelle
November 15, 2024
Sweet story of a family: Elliott & Laura who are celebrating their 14th anniversary, their 3 daughters, Laura's mother and siblings. Laura has a sudden headache and is taken by ambulance to the hospital. The discussions she has with her family during her hospital stay about the past and the future, the thoughts that Elliott & Laura each have about living each day to the fullest, comprise this slim, sad, but hopeful book.
December 15, 2019
This was a quick but melancholy Christmas read telling the story of a young mom saying good bye to her family. It is a sad tale of a family struggling with loss over the holidays. It makes readers stop and think of others who may have experienced loss during the Christmas season while others celebrate.
September 1, 2022
Na minha opinião, este livro seria perfeito se a história fosse mais desenvolvida. Os desenvolvimentos permitiriam um maior envolvimento do leitor com as personagens e com os acontecimentos. Faria com que nos sentíssemos mais ligados às personagens e aos dramas que elas vão ultrapassando.
Opinião completa: https://pordetrasdaspalavras.blogs.sa...
Opinião completa: https://pordetrasdaspalavras.blogs.sa...
December 17, 2017
So maybe not the best book to read during the holiday season...read the summary first and don’t let the title fool you.
January 3, 2019
This in not a lighthearted Christmas novel. A good story but very sad
November 23, 2022
What a beautiful, heartbreaking, heartwarming story.
December 4, 2024
An easy quick read but quite sad
September 22, 2020
THE worst Christmas themed book I've ever read...a solid author, but I think she wrote this while sitting on the toilet, constipated.
Unrealistic and depressing, hurried and rather shallow, I can not in good conscience even give it away. Laura and her husband have celebrated her anniversary in Boston and on their way home the car stalls out and she has an aneurism burst in her brain.
Twelve hours to live, to say goodbye, do Christmas shopping (via her brother), and remain level-headed for her family while counting the hours to her demise.
Sorry I can not agree with those who found redeeming qualities here.....but that's what opinions are for....
Unrealistic and depressing, hurried and rather shallow, I can not in good conscience even give it away. Laura and her husband have celebrated her anniversary in Boston and on their way home the car stalls out and she has an aneurism burst in her brain.
Twelve hours to live, to say goodbye, do Christmas shopping (via her brother), and remain level-headed for her family while counting the hours to her demise.
Sorry I can not agree with those who found redeeming qualities here.....but that's what opinions are for....
December 30, 2023
Update 12/40/2023…I was looking for a short “C” book to finish up my A-Z Reading Challenge so I grabbed this one and read it. When I went to put my two stars in for a review I discovered that I had already read it in 2016 and rated it the same. Doh. It hasn’t improved with age.
January 20, 2011
This book is a poignant reminder of the brevity and preciousness of life.
December 8, 2017
If you're looking for a Christmas book filled with good cheer and happy tidings, Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard is NOT for you. Reading the premise from the back cover promises that" a family comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and how to live each day of their lives as if it were their last." This is NOT a happy story, while there might be a message tucked inside that tomorrows are never a guarantee and that we should embrace the present as if is the only day we will ever have.
As Elliot and Laura Banner make plans for their fourteenth wedding anniversary by attending a very wonderful play that Laura has been wanting to see performed by Cirque du Soleil only to have their car break down on their way home. Laura has been dealing with a horrible headache that she feels is a migraine, although she has never had one. She begs Elliot to take her to the hospital or at least call for an ambulance because she feels something isn't quite right. After considerable stalling, Laura begs a policeman to call the ambulance for her. Elliot can sense at this point that she doesn't look right and agrees.
When they arrive at the hospital, Laura is whisked away while Elliot deals with the paperwork only to learn that despite all his efforts, Laura has had a rupture of a major artery in her brain and has only hours left to live. Even if he had called for an ambulance when she experienced her headache, it would have been too late to do anything. While the doctor believes some internet searching and calling some colleagues might yield a different result, he tells Elliot that she will continue to have seizures until she lapses into a coma and dies.
I received Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard, compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers. I guess the intent in the writing this novel is to embrace our days even more than we do now, because we always believe there will be a tomorrow. But like the Bible reminds us, life is merely a vapor. It is gone much too soon, and then we are faced with dealing with regrets for things we never did, believing we could always do it later. I would advise, NOT reading this during Christmas as the holidays are difficult to get through without reading something not so cheerful. I had hoped it would turn out differently but it doesn't. This is not a book with a happily ever after ending, unless it is a that the family will eventually move on, dealing with their losses in their own way. For me, I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
As Elliot and Laura Banner make plans for their fourteenth wedding anniversary by attending a very wonderful play that Laura has been wanting to see performed by Cirque du Soleil only to have their car break down on their way home. Laura has been dealing with a horrible headache that she feels is a migraine, although she has never had one. She begs Elliot to take her to the hospital or at least call for an ambulance because she feels something isn't quite right. After considerable stalling, Laura begs a policeman to call the ambulance for her. Elliot can sense at this point that she doesn't look right and agrees.
When they arrive at the hospital, Laura is whisked away while Elliot deals with the paperwork only to learn that despite all his efforts, Laura has had a rupture of a major artery in her brain and has only hours left to live. Even if he had called for an ambulance when she experienced her headache, it would have been too late to do anything. While the doctor believes some internet searching and calling some colleagues might yield a different result, he tells Elliot that she will continue to have seizures until she lapses into a coma and dies.
I received Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard, compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers. I guess the intent in the writing this novel is to embrace our days even more than we do now, because we always believe there will be a tomorrow. But like the Bible reminds us, life is merely a vapor. It is gone much too soon, and then we are faced with dealing with regrets for things we never did, believing we could always do it later. I would advise, NOT reading this during Christmas as the holidays are difficult to get through without reading something not so cheerful. I had hoped it would turn out differently but it doesn't. This is not a book with a happily ever after ending, unless it is a that the family will eventually move on, dealing with their losses in their own way. For me, I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
January 4, 2020
Favorite Quotes
• That was Laura, though, contradictions all over the map, fitting sweetl =y into an amiable, slightly off-center jigsaw. (p18)
• “Laura calls herself a practicing Catholic, practicing to get it right,” said Elliott (p34)
• “It is comforting, sometimes, to give up our doubts at such occasions,” said Dr. Campanile (p35)
• “In my experience the worst deaths are the deaths of those who have failed to love their lives.” (p59)
• At last, Laura asked a nurse for a sheet of plain paper and wrote what she actually felt, rather than what she thought she should (p67)
• Someone at work had once told him that children grieved in reverse, that while adults were stricken sharply at once and slowly recovered, children were initially blase, but the longer the loved person was absent, they experienced greater recognition of loss. (p90)
• No, she thought ruefully, I always rambled. I could never get to the point. Elliott called it backing around the corner to the beginning. (p95)
• “Nothing, no matter how much it matters at the time, is worth doing something you think is wrong. And you always know.”
“How?” Rory asked.
“You ask the still, small voice, like Father Delabue said,” Laura told Rory. “And if you feel a doubt, that’s your real self telling you what to do, always.” (p95-96)
• He would have the sense to avoid paging through photo albums; but he would not be able to stop the flip-book in his head--of the moments wasted because they were presumed infinite … (p101-102)
• That was Laura, though, contradictions all over the map, fitting sweetl =y into an amiable, slightly off-center jigsaw. (p18)
• “Laura calls herself a practicing Catholic, practicing to get it right,” said Elliott (p34)
• “It is comforting, sometimes, to give up our doubts at such occasions,” said Dr. Campanile (p35)
• “In my experience the worst deaths are the deaths of those who have failed to love their lives.” (p59)
• At last, Laura asked a nurse for a sheet of plain paper and wrote what she actually felt, rather than what she thought she should (p67)
• Someone at work had once told him that children grieved in reverse, that while adults were stricken sharply at once and slowly recovered, children were initially blase, but the longer the loved person was absent, they experienced greater recognition of loss. (p90)
• No, she thought ruefully, I always rambled. I could never get to the point. Elliott called it backing around the corner to the beginning. (p95)
• “Nothing, no matter how much it matters at the time, is worth doing something you think is wrong. And you always know.”
“How?” Rory asked.
“You ask the still, small voice, like Father Delabue said,” Laura told Rory. “And if you feel a doubt, that’s your real self telling you what to do, always.” (p95-96)
• He would have the sense to avoid paging through photo albums; but he would not be able to stop the flip-book in his head--of the moments wasted because they were presumed infinite … (p101-102)
December 13, 2018
Family history is explored in the course of one fateful night while Laura & Elliot Banner are out celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary. Laura starts to have intense head pain during dinner which she assumes is a migraine. Hours later, she's noticeably showing a shift in personality. Elliot, scared and concerned, quickly calls for an ambulance. Laura is rushed to the hospital where she is diagnosed with an inoperable brain blockage. She has only hours to live. Suddenly, the family is slammed with the realization that this will be their last Christmas together. Siblings and children are contacted and rushed to Laura's side so that everyone may have their moment to say goodbye.
Yeaaah, not the uplifting cozy read you might guess from the cover. It does have its sweet moments but overall ... well, this was personally just too damn sad for a holiday story for me. Plus there's the sense of being rushed through the story... not only because of the focus of the plot (the medical emergency) but also this being novella length... the reader barely gets to know these folks before they're heading out of your reading life once again.
Not a bad read, just not entirely satisfying for me.
Yeaaah, not the uplifting cozy read you might guess from the cover. It does have its sweet moments but overall ... well, this was personally just too damn sad for a holiday story for me. Plus there's the sense of being rushed through the story... not only because of the focus of the plot (the medical emergency) but also this being novella length... the reader barely gets to know these folks before they're heading out of your reading life once again.
Not a bad read, just not entirely satisfying for me.
September 22, 2019
One of my Friends of the Library gave this to me because she knows I load up on Xmas stories before the 25th and I hadn't gotten around to reading it last year. I wanted something quick to read after I finished my last book with hours to spare before bedtime so I started it and finished it that night.
The story has little to do with Xmas, its meaning, or the holiday spirit. Its about the impending death of a woman who has a brain artery explode on Xmas eve and is told she has 12 hours to live. She will leave behind a loving husband and three young daughters. One would think this would have made for a touching story but NOT! This is one COLD story. The writing is so bad that sometimes you can't tell who is being talked about and who is doing the talking. There are incomplete sentences and thoughts. Its incoherent.
There are probably instances where a dying person does the things this character does so the mother's actions aren't unbelievable. Its the way the author writes the unfolding events that ruins the story. I kept reading because I couldn't believe the writing could get worse but it did and continued to get more baffling until the last word.
The story has little to do with Xmas, its meaning, or the holiday spirit. Its about the impending death of a woman who has a brain artery explode on Xmas eve and is told she has 12 hours to live. She will leave behind a loving husband and three young daughters. One would think this would have made for a touching story but NOT! This is one COLD story. The writing is so bad that sometimes you can't tell who is being talked about and who is doing the talking. There are incomplete sentences and thoughts. Its incoherent.
There are probably instances where a dying person does the things this character does so the mother's actions aren't unbelievable. Its the way the author writes the unfolding events that ruins the story. I kept reading because I couldn't believe the writing could get worse but it did and continued to get more baffling until the last word.
November 13, 2025
This was a bittersweet book about a couple celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary when they have car trouble and at the same time the wife falls very ill. Her head is aching horribly, but then suddenly stops. They go to the hospital anyway, and do a scan and discover she has had an aneurysm...and it was too late, not a spot they could go in and fix and she was dying, even though by appearances she seemed completely fine. She calls her family and friends and tells them goodbye. The entire story is told as it happens in a single night. The woman remains calm while the husband is regretting that he hadn't treated each anniversary as if it were their last. Now it is too late. However, she remains present until she goes. Great lesson in being present and not taking things or people for granted.
December 22, 2021
I got this from a little free library ….I would agree with the description in that it is a story about “love, trust, and letting go” but I don’t think it is a perfect holiday read! It is honestly like my worst nightmare come true set at Christmas time. I would rather read a crime story or murder mystery set at Christmas than this because at least that allows me some separation and doesn’t make me think about losing my husband or someone I love and care about. I get the point of the story I just do not prefer to read it in preparation for the holidays personally. Overall it is well done but I do not feel like it gives me the holiday joy or spirit it is a wee bit (or a lotta bit) depressing ! Wasn’t bad but just want for me
December 22, 2022
Po tytule spodziewałam się bardziej świątecznej historia, a to co przeczytałam nie miało praktycznie nic wspólnego ze świętami. Akcja toczyła się szybko, wszytko się ze sobą zalewało, a brak jakiegokolwiek podziału na przykład na rozdziały nie pomagał. Jak dla mnie było to nudne i takie puste, choć gdyby była dłuższa a wątki były by bardziej rozwinięte i ta akcja jakoś by się toczyła to było by to ciekawsze i bardziej przywiązała bym się do bohaterów. Jednak nie powiem były momenty które chwyciły mnie za serce dlatego 2 gwiazdki.
November 21, 2023
Do yourself a favor and skip it.
No ones behavior in this book makes the last bit of sense.
I get a chil not understanding a mother dying but a 13 year old wouldn’t behave that way to her mother dying. A husband wouldn’t behave that way. A person dying wouldn’t act like that. This book was so over the top stupid like someone would just accept they are dying and not be sad or upset when it happens so suddenly and at a young age. The end wasn’t good. No one would have saved or forgotten the Christmas presents. This was a very quick book thank god but just terrible.
No ones behavior in this book makes the last bit of sense.
I get a chil not understanding a mother dying but a 13 year old wouldn’t behave that way to her mother dying. A husband wouldn’t behave that way. A person dying wouldn’t act like that. This book was so over the top stupid like someone would just accept they are dying and not be sad or upset when it happens so suddenly and at a young age. The end wasn’t good. No one would have saved or forgotten the Christmas presents. This was a very quick book thank god but just terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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