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Last Christmas: Memories of Christmases Past and Hopes of Future Ones by Greg Wise, Emma Thompson
chriscole's review against another edition
4.0
This is an eclectic range of essays detailing Christmas memories from a diverse group of people who give their respective accounts of being refugees/homeless/struggling with mental health issues or dealing with broken families, among other, fluffier, pieces.
Some stories are more light-hearted than others and definitely balance well against the darker stories in the collection. Although, it's the darker stories that, inevitably, hit harder than the others.
It's so easy to be aware of the people who struggle at Christmas, for whatever reason, and to make your charity donation or give a gift, but I do think reading these accounts are worthwhile as you very rarely actually hear from those people directly. They're often spoken for by those helping them and so, if nothing else, I think it's worth reading this short collection of stories to listen to their voices directly.
And the fun celebrity stories are there to lift your spirits, give you that dose of Christmas nostalgia that everyone (regardless of their age appears to have) and make sure you experience the full range of emotions that Christmas so often brings.
Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for a review.
Some stories are more light-hearted than others and definitely balance well against the darker stories in the collection. Although, it's the darker stories that, inevitably, hit harder than the others.
It's so easy to be aware of the people who struggle at Christmas, for whatever reason, and to make your charity donation or give a gift, but I do think reading these accounts are worthwhile as you very rarely actually hear from those people directly. They're often spoken for by those helping them and so, if nothing else, I think it's worth reading this short collection of stories to listen to their voices directly.
And the fun celebrity stories are there to lift your spirits, give you that dose of Christmas nostalgia that everyone (regardless of their age appears to have) and make sure you experience the full range of emotions that Christmas so often brings.
Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for a review.
dunneniamh's review against another edition
4.0
I was very kindly given an e-arc of this book through Netgalley & Quercus Books.
This is the perfect festive read for anybody who wants to feel a bit better about an increasingly commercialized season. With contributions from a variety of people, including actors, musicians, activists, refugees and more, it collates together peoples memories of Christmas - both good and bad -and how the season has stayed with them as they've grown up into adulthood and created their own traditions for Christmas. It's a tie-in with the film 'Last Christmas', which was written by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise, and whilst I haven't seen it, if it's anything like this delightful collection, it'll be well worth the watch.
'Last Christmas' edited by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise is available now.
This is the perfect festive read for anybody who wants to feel a bit better about an increasingly commercialized season. With contributions from a variety of people, including actors, musicians, activists, refugees and more, it collates together peoples memories of Christmas - both good and bad -and how the season has stayed with them as they've grown up into adulthood and created their own traditions for Christmas. It's a tie-in with the film 'Last Christmas', which was written by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise, and whilst I haven't seen it, if it's anything like this delightful collection, it'll be well worth the watch.
'Last Christmas' edited by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise is available now.
ljbentley27's review against another edition
4.0
I am sitting here on Christmas Eve writing the review for Last Christmas (I know that it is January the 10th as this goes live but I am trying to keep the festive period going). Admittedly, I don’t feel particularly Christmassy. Don’t worry, it will come. It will come later when I am in my new Christmas pyjamas and I have watched The Muppet’s Christmas Carol. This for me is what Christmas is about: being wrapped up warm and feeling safe and snug. Sadly, that isn’t the case for everyone.
Last Christmas which has been created by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise is a selection of tales from many different people, some celebrities others who are not famous but who are dealing with the very real issue of displacement and its creation has been to raise some much needed funds for Crisis.
The stories range from endearingly funny to absolutely heartbreaking and serve to remind us of how lucky we are and the true meaning of Christmas. If you are going to buy one book then please make it Last Christmas. The money raised from the book is going to help those in need.
Last Christmas by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise is available now.
Last Christmas which has been created by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise is a selection of tales from many different people, some celebrities others who are not famous but who are dealing with the very real issue of displacement and its creation has been to raise some much needed funds for Crisis.
The stories range from endearingly funny to absolutely heartbreaking and serve to remind us of how lucky we are and the true meaning of Christmas. If you are going to buy one book then please make it Last Christmas. The money raised from the book is going to help those in need.
Last Christmas by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise is available now.
arwen789's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely collection of short stories. I read couple of them almost every day since I started on Christmas Eve. The recurring message that resonated with me is that spending time with loved ones is truly the best gift of all.
alwaysgottimeforbooks's review against another edition
5.0
In my opinion this is the perfect book for reading over Christmas. Filled with short essays, each a few pages long it was so easy to pick up and read a couple every time I had a spare 10 minutes!
It is a collection of essays based around Christmas memories and hopes for the future. Some written by well known names such as Meryl Streep, Stephen Fry and Olivia Coleman, some written by homeless people, refugees and Crisis volunteers. I found them all absolutely fascinating.
It was so interesting to hear about the hard work that goes into volunteering with Crisis during Christmas time, how these people take so much of their own time and dedicate it to making someone's else's Christmas so much better. The refugees stories about having to celebrate Christmas in a completely different way, sometimes on their own without any family members at all, were heartbreaking.
But this book isn't all doom and gloom. It's really heartwarming and uplifting and the overwhelming message is that it doesn't matter what's under the tree it matters who's around it which I 100% agree with!
It is a collection of essays based around Christmas memories and hopes for the future. Some written by well known names such as Meryl Streep, Stephen Fry and Olivia Coleman, some written by homeless people, refugees and Crisis volunteers. I found them all absolutely fascinating.
It was so interesting to hear about the hard work that goes into volunteering with Crisis during Christmas time, how these people take so much of their own time and dedicate it to making someone's else's Christmas so much better. The refugees stories about having to celebrate Christmas in a completely different way, sometimes on their own without any family members at all, were heartbreaking.
But this book isn't all doom and gloom. It's really heartwarming and uplifting and the overwhelming message is that it doesn't matter what's under the tree it matters who's around it which I 100% agree with!
penelope2202's review against another edition
2.0
For me a mostly sad, unrelatable or uninteresting collection of Christmas reminiscence.
collyofthewobbles's review against another edition
5.0
This feels like Christmas, the real Christmas. Not some made up fairy tale we all get lost in. Ot a grand festive romance with soothes us.
This is a collection of tales from peoples lives, taken from the festive period.
From family arguments, scrooge’s, displaced families, refugees, volunteers. People from everywhere and nowhere.
Showing what the true spirt of Christmas can be, to the commercial confusion it has become today.
I am thankful for this book, for a glimpse though the window into others lives.
Christmas is never easy now a days, was it ever easy?
Or was it always a mix between good will to all, and who gets the last mince pie?
Either way this book is a marvel of life's and i’m very grateful for it.
This is a collection of tales from peoples lives, taken from the festive period.
From family arguments, scrooge’s, displaced families, refugees, volunteers. People from everywhere and nowhere.
Showing what the true spirt of Christmas can be, to the commercial confusion it has become today.
I am thankful for this book, for a glimpse though the window into others lives.
Christmas is never easy now a days, was it ever easy?
Or was it always a mix between good will to all, and who gets the last mince pie?
Either way this book is a marvel of life's and i’m very grateful for it.
podsticles's review against another edition
I’m bumping this to the top of the review pile considering the subject! ‘Last Christmas’ is a collection of Christmas memories, curated by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise. In it, various celebrities, Crisis volunteers, refugees, and formerly homeless people share their thoughts, hopes, and memories of Christmas.
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I read this book from start to finish yesterday, cosied up in my chair next to our Christmas tree, and the overwhelming feeling I got while reading it was gratitude. While there are funny and heartwarming stories from celebrities, the ones that moved me the most were written by Crisis volunteers, people who had previously been homeless themselves, and refugees. I felt so grateful to be sitting in my warm home, my fridge and cupboards full of food, presents under the tree, and it really made me consider how fortunate I am.
There are also great stories from Caitlin Moran, Jo Brand, Emilia Clarke and Jordan Stephens - which are just a small selection of some of my favourites. A donation from every purchase of the book is made to Crisis and The Refugee Council and it really is a fantastic book to get into the Christmas spirit, to remind us all to be thankful for what we’ve got, and to hopefully consider and help those for whom Christmas may be a challenging time. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Check out my instagram for more bookish content - @podsticles
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I read this book from start to finish yesterday, cosied up in my chair next to our Christmas tree, and the overwhelming feeling I got while reading it was gratitude. While there are funny and heartwarming stories from celebrities, the ones that moved me the most were written by Crisis volunteers, people who had previously been homeless themselves, and refugees. I felt so grateful to be sitting in my warm home, my fridge and cupboards full of food, presents under the tree, and it really made me consider how fortunate I am.
There are also great stories from Caitlin Moran, Jo Brand, Emilia Clarke and Jordan Stephens - which are just a small selection of some of my favourites. A donation from every purchase of the book is made to Crisis and The Refugee Council and it really is a fantastic book to get into the Christmas spirit, to remind us all to be thankful for what we’ve got, and to hopefully consider and help those for whom Christmas may be a challenging time. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Check out my instagram for more bookish content - @podsticles
bookietracey's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely book.
This is a beautiful collection of personal stories about Christmas. It is either about Christmas memories, hopes for future Christmases or what Christmas means to them. Some of these stories are sad involving alcohol, drugs, living in poverty or Christmases in countries that suffer from war.
This book makes you think about what Christmas means to you. It’s not about the food on the table, the presents or work party. It’s about spending time with the people we love and about showing love and kindness to each other. This is the first Christmas since losing my mum and I would give everything else up if it meant I could spend one more Christmas with her.
This is a beautiful collection of personal stories about Christmas. It is either about Christmas memories, hopes for future Christmases or what Christmas means to them. Some of these stories are sad involving alcohol, drugs, living in poverty or Christmases in countries that suffer from war.
This book makes you think about what Christmas means to you. It’s not about the food on the table, the presents or work party. It’s about spending time with the people we love and about showing love and kindness to each other. This is the first Christmas since losing my mum and I would give everything else up if it meant I could spend one more Christmas with her.
helencollins's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0