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A review by vixdag
All I Want For Christmas by Clare Lydon
5.0
***No Synopsis, But Probably Spoilers***
I do not give out five star reviews very often. There are a lot of books that I like, but not very many that I love; that will stay with me long after the first reading. All I Want For Christmas has profoundly changed my attitude as I am not a Christmas-y sort of person, but this book has put me in a festive state quite appropriate for the season. Having just finished it, I am considering getting the Christmas decorations out of the loft a few weeks early.
Now, I read the one star and two star reviews for this book and it's funny how subjective book tastes are for each reader. I can see their point. You either love Tori Hammond or you hate her. I happen to love her. Yes, she is flighty and prone to rash choices and drama, but she is like the Lucille Ball of this romantic comedy. She LOVES Christmas. She loves the sights, sounds, tastes and the overall feeling of the holiday so it makes sense that it is going to amp up her quirkiness to a level 10.
The book itself is like an advent calendar, with each chapter a countdown until Christmas day. Ms. Lydon's knack for witty banter and situational comedy is on steroids for this book. There were a few occasions where I had to set the book aside due to fits of laughing. Part of her humor is how she uses references to pop culture to point out the silliness of a situation. When Tori is preparing for one of her blind dates she says, "...tonight I was turning my attention to Jenny, who was not from the block, but rather from West London." There are little gems like these throughout the book that made me smile to myself. I am not going to spoil some of the book's grander comedic moments.
Ms. Lydon also has a penchant for using imagery in the most wonderful ways. She takes everyday things and turns them into the most delightful metaphors. Here is a stellar example: "It was as if my mind had just installed a photo editor and was trying out every happy filter possible. Right now, my whole world was set to Sunshine and Yellow Glow." Her novels always include these types of surprises.
Yes, this is a five star book for me. I am not comparing it to the great tomes of the twenty-first century, but for me, at this moment, it was perfect.
I do not give out five star reviews very often. There are a lot of books that I like, but not very many that I love; that will stay with me long after the first reading. All I Want For Christmas has profoundly changed my attitude as I am not a Christmas-y sort of person, but this book has put me in a festive state quite appropriate for the season. Having just finished it, I am considering getting the Christmas decorations out of the loft a few weeks early.
Now, I read the one star and two star reviews for this book and it's funny how subjective book tastes are for each reader. I can see their point. You either love Tori Hammond or you hate her. I happen to love her. Yes, she is flighty and prone to rash choices and drama, but she is like the Lucille Ball of this romantic comedy. She LOVES Christmas. She loves the sights, sounds, tastes and the overall feeling of the holiday so it makes sense that it is going to amp up her quirkiness to a level 10.
The book itself is like an advent calendar, with each chapter a countdown until Christmas day. Ms. Lydon's knack for witty banter and situational comedy is on steroids for this book. There were a few occasions where I had to set the book aside due to fits of laughing. Part of her humor is how she uses references to pop culture to point out the silliness of a situation. When Tori is preparing for one of her blind dates she says, "...tonight I was turning my attention to Jenny, who was not from the block, but rather from West London." There are little gems like these throughout the book that made me smile to myself. I am not going to spoil some of the book's grander comedic moments.
Ms. Lydon also has a penchant for using imagery in the most wonderful ways. She takes everyday things and turns them into the most delightful metaphors. Here is a stellar example: "It was as if my mind had just installed a photo editor and was trying out every happy filter possible. Right now, my whole world was set to Sunshine and Yellow Glow." Her novels always include these types of surprises.
Yes, this is a five star book for me. I am not comparing it to the great tomes of the twenty-first century, but for me, at this moment, it was perfect.