Skipping Christmas (Special Edition): With a New Afterword

by John Grisham

Genres: Christmas

192 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

John Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.

Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.

When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.

John lives on a farm in central Virginia.

Reviews

[Amber HK · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s surprising how much the movie is true to the book. It was silly, ridiculous, and made me chuckle a few times. The racist comments are reflective of the early 2000s and not okay. They took away from the charm of the story. I was hoping he would acknowledge that in the afterward but he didn’t.

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It lost three stars for the classic “late 90s/early 2000s casual racism” that I don’t think was malicious so much as it just isn’t acceptable anymore… then gained a star for Christmas with the Kranks being my favorite Christmas movie, then lost it again because the authors note at the end said the book was better, which it most certainly Was Not

[Sierra Duhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas With the Kranks is one of my favorite Christmas movies, but I had no idea until earlier this year that it was based off of a book. Of course I had to read it now! I am very glad I did. Just like the movie it's a relatively quick, fun time. The book is well written (as to be expected from John Grisham although it is the first book of his I've read.) They obviously made changes for the movie, but I found as much as it pains me to admit, this is a rare circumstance I like the movie a little more. That isn't saying the book is bad, I enjoyed it very much. I just think there were things added and removed in the movie and the attitudes of characters were changed a little and those things enhanced the story. I do think if you enjoy Christmas With the Kranks you should absolutely read this, it will not ruin the movie for you. But if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend watching it first.

[Jaylah Goodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the only time ill enjoy a movie over a book! But only because i reaaalllllyyyy love christmas with the kranks LOL! But this was such a cute read! I love how well it followed the movie (technically, vice versa)! i wish some aspects were developed more, which is what kept me from 5 stars, but it was a nice quick read! and a good brain break. i really loved the new afterword because mr grisham christmas with the kranks is a classic to me!

and as he said on the last page “In a world that’s falling apart, popular fiction remains of constant, a faithful refuge where readers find sanctuary, if only for a few hours.”

merry christmas!!! 🥰

p.s. this is the first christmas book ive read i think!

[Melissa Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely, absolutely loved this book. I had a stupid grin on my face the entire time I read it. I must’ve looked foolish on the bus, on lunch breaks, in waiting rooms, etc., but I honestly didn’t care. This book was so sweet, so amusing, and so incredibly relatable.

I plan to watch the film, but much like what Grisham wrote in the note at the end, I am sure I will probably agree (the book will be/was much better than the film). This is only the second John Grisham book I’ve read (*gasp*) but I plan to read more (even if the rest are not as humorous).

I have been telling everyone I know to read it, which is rare for me. I usually like to keep my reading habits personal but this book is definitely worth sharing.

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read this before, listened via audio, it was a short read and I absolutely enjoyed it. I would most likely not skip Christmas as I love everything about the traditions, but I understand why Luther and Nora wanted to give how chaotic and busy this season has become. This short story is a funny take on what it would be like to walk away and just go on a cruise instead. I highly recommend it for a quick read that had me laughing and also helps keep things in perspective!

Thank you DoubleDay Books #doubledaypartner for the free book!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

alright i must say, it was a good book but like i kinda knew everything and the order things were going to happen in?? blame it on watching the movie first before reading (i didn’t know it was a book)

i enjoyed it and i like this author so far, this is the only book i have read by him but i think it was a nice intro into the christmas spirit. we’ll stay tuned to see how long it takes before i really feel christmas-y

[Luke Folmsbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable read, having seen the movie prior to the book (my family loves the movie) I knew everything that was going to happen. This didn’t stop me from enjoying every minute of this quick read. John Grisham is an amazing writer and getting to read how he feels about the book in 2025 was super interesting.

[Brodie Barrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun read right before Christmas. It was cool to find out that one of my favourite authors, well known for his legal thrillers, was the author of what turn into the movie Christmas with the Kranks. I enjoyed going through what I knew from the movie on paper!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it that I didn’t know until a few weeks ago that one of my favorite Christmas movies, Christmas With the Kranks, was based on a book? This was a quick, fun read. I laughed out loud many times. I think today I’ll watch the movie!

[Denni Swepston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect considering author and this being very outside his norm. I had never heard of this book. It was cute. I also did not know there was a movie made from the book. That is next on my list.

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always believed that “Christmas with the Kranks” is an underrated Christmas movie - I look forward to watching it every year.

It was so fun to read the novel that inspired the film and I was pleasantly surprised that the movie sticked so closely to the original material.

[Libby Renbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a classic - Christmas with the Kranks. Book is actually better than the movie

[David Dull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the movie first so when seeing this special set dition I decided to read it. like many adaptations to film the book is better. It is a quick but enjoyable holiday read.

[Phyllis Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, wished I hadn’t seen the movie (Christmas with the Kranks) first as it took away from the story.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny, short book, especially the first three-fourths. Toward the end, there were some stereotypical parts that I didn't like.

[Aynslee McNabb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was super cute and fun! Just didn’t have enough action until the last three chapters. BUT still got me in the Christmas spirit!