The Memory Tree

by Ellie Lieberman

"The Memory Tree reminds us that it is okay, and sometimes necessary, to remember the not so good during the holiday season... It almost feels like we are given permission to feel bittersweet, which is something I personally find comforting the older I get."- Roadside Reader

A collection of old ornaments come alive to aid a grandmother, on her last Christmas Eve night, in telling family stories and imparting her final wisdom to her granddaughter.

Genres: Short Stories, Christmas

39 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2019

About the author

Words are magic, and Ellie Lieberman has been enamored with the magic of storytelling since before she could hold a pencil. She learned how to write so she could write her stories. Though her books vary between ages and genre, one element that is always a guarantee is the light in the dark, from the flicker of a candle to dragon fire.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely Christmas short story as a grandmother recounts memories from over the years while sitting by her Christmas tree. The writing is richly detailed—I could smell the hot cocoa and see the silver bell and other ornaments and ribbons that decorated the branches. This had a wonderful Christmas message and a cozy holiday feel! ❄🎄🎅

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotional short story featuring a dying grandmother and her grown up granddaughter talking about their family stories as sparked by different tree ornaments at Christmas time.

The grandmother values magic and storytelling, but her granddaughter is more pragmatic and down to earth. She wants to know the truth of the family traditions, where the star ornament really originated, rather than the fabled tale of its magical appearance one day.
Her grandmother begins telling her stories and she is transported back to those times, when the cabin was first built, World War 2 and when the granddaughter would love to dance before school knocked out all the magic of childhood and replaced it with forced education and tests.

“Nothing in life is worth taking so seriously that you miss the magic of the moment.”

Most of us could do to take note of the wise old grandmother’s advice!!

[Layla Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so impressed. I almost gave up, because on the computer, I couldn't find a way to enlarge the print and had to hold the computer only a few inches from my face. I'm really glad I persisted, because this book is truly worth the trouble. Lieberman evokes so much and the grandmother's words fit my understanding, that "life is stories." Well-written, this is a wonderful short read that had me by my emotions, which is always great in a Christmas book. I give it a happy five stars and wish I could give it more.

[J. Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up with the hope of a cozy read to take in by the Christmas tree, and it did not disappoint. It's a magical novella to sit and read in one sitting, and a sweet reminder to cherish and honor family memories. I loved this little book! It would make a great stocking stuffer for an adult in your life.

[Abigail Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Memory Tree. It was short and sweet, yet had the timeless quality that makes magical realism so compelling. About the value of savoring life's mysteries and the precious moments we have with our loved ones, this isn't quite the story I'd pick up on Christmas eve, but it's definitely one I'm happy to have on my shelf.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories of time.

Ellie Lieberman shows us that we are all connected through our memories. And wonder of wonder trees can remember things. A short tale but an important one. One to remind us that we are made up of the past.

[Joharra Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and Heartbreaking!

This story was sweet, about family stories and tradition. Family in general. It was bitter sweet, the beautiful connection between the girl and her grandmother, but sad as she passed at the end. Definitely check this book out!