The Shelf on the Elf: Holiday Leftovers

by Andrew Shaffer

THE SHELF ON THE ELF collects five off-beat, humorous holiday essays and short stories by New York Times bestseller Andrew Shaffer, one of which ("Hunting Season") was written exclusively for the collection. This book has it all: Santa Claus, holiday pickles, a knife-wielding man.

Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN13 9781310297151 here.

Genres: Comedy

35 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

Andrew Shaffer is the New York Times bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including the Obama Biden Mysteries. He is also the writer and illustrator of the children's book, "Mothman's Merry Cryptid Christmas." He lives with his wife, novelist Meg Shaffer, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This includes the Earl Grey Christmas story, but there is also a parody of BBC's Sherlock, which is quite funny. The essays about Christmas in popular culture are particularly good as well. A good and fun quick read.

[Angy Potter - Collector of Book Boyfriends · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun. Especially the Earl Grey short story.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, and yes.
This had me giggling so loudly, I woke my husband from a deep sleep.
Since he was awake, I read him some excerpts, then he proceeded to giggle loudly. And snort.

Worth every penny of the 800 I spent on this.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

I have to give this collection 5 stars for 3 reasons:

3. Rue Whorehouse with Bandersnatch Cumberbund. I love a good parody.

2. Further proof that the holiday pickle stuff is nonsense (I'm looking at you, Epcot) and for naming the essay "Hiding the Holiday Pickle"

1. The Earl Grey Christmas story. Now I have to go read the Fifty Shames of Earl Grey because I laughed out loud. I...I...a tip of the hat, sir.

Honorable mention goes to the mostly serious War on Christmas piece--insightful as well as amusing and to the "Hunting Season." Mad props for a cover that does horrible things to that creepy elf.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this book because I was wanting to read more from this author. The title of the book is actually not what you think it is anyways it’s actually has funny parts in the book and is kinda like a poetry type of book which I enjoy reading poetry books. There was yes a few naughty words in the book but not much though.

[Silverback · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FUNNIEST THING I HAVE READ IN THE LAST 10 YEARS! I will read this every Christmas holiday now with a cup of hot Chocolate.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty funny.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be read from cover to cover, its worth many laughs. Pace yourself. Very enjoyable... totally inappro and wonderful!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is weird. It's a collection of works--short stories, poems, etc--that are related to Christmas, but are not for those looking for holiday feel-good material. I knew what this was beforehand and what to expect; however, it didn't come through with the humor/satire that I wanted. It sounded promising with a 50 Shades parody with Amazon, a deranged Santa murder, and more--but it just fell flat for its genre. Enjoyable, maybe. Would I recommend to anyone I know? Definitely not.

[Mandee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think personally this failed for me, as I was not too familiar with Shaffer's previous work.
I expected fun quirky poems and maybe a few short stories. What I got, to me personally was a decent short, with a lot of mediocre supposed to he funny "things".
This just lacked for me all around.