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A Lot Like Christmas  By  cover art

A Lot Like Christmas

By: Connie Willis
Narrated by: Eliza Foss, L. J. Ganser, Lori Gardner, John Keating
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Publisher's summary

Holiday stories and traditions enchantingly reimagined - with an insightfully satirical twist. Featuring five stories new to this collection, plus seven previously published stories, now all collected together for the first time.

From the award-winning author of Crosstalk.

No one could ask for a better present than a collection of Connie Willis Christmas tales. These are amazing stories, representing all the best of the Connie Willis experience: true Christmas gifts to her many fans. They are full of humor, absurdity, human foibles, tragedy, joy, and hope. They both send up and embrace many of the best Christmas traditions, such as the Christmas newsletter, Secret Santas, office parties, holiday pageants, and Christmas dinners (both elaborate and spare). There are ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come; debates over which is the best Christmas movie (Connie argues for the original Miracle on 34th Street, hands down); Rockettes; modern-day Magi; and the triumph of generosity over greed.

©2017 Connie Willis (P)2017 Recorded Books

What listeners say about A Lot Like Christmas

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    3 out of 5 stars

Three stars down the line

Three stars and I didn’t finish. I gave up during Epiphany, because again the short story seemed to be going on far too long. As with most others in this collection, that story seemed padded and never paid off for that padding. The best story, the Adaptation one, is the shortest I made it through. The one with music and aliens came early, and I was just about to quit all the way through and at the end kept going through pure bloody-mindedness. It’s not bad. It’s not really all that good. the readings are okay, though in one the narrator’s Scandinavian assistant’s name is read as “enj” again and again and yet again and the name is “Inge” which is pronounced “Inga” and ruined the whole thing because I kept screaming “IT’S INGA WHY HAS NO ONE CAUGHT THIS???” And scaring the neighbors.

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  • Overall
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    1 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Christmas Stories

I read these stories every other Christmas and love them all. Thank you, Connie Willis.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best Christmas stories ever!!

Connie Willis has it all in her Christmas stories: humor, intelligence, nostalgia, and a true love of Christmas. Don't miss her list of great xmas stories and films at the end!

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6 people found this helpful

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A Joy to Read

Best Christmas book ever. Lots of wonderful short stories, perfect while decorating or shopping. Cheerful, thoughtful with fun twists that keep you entertained. One you can listen with the whole family. Highly recommend, wish I could give 6 stars.

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1 person found this helpful

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Loved it!

I don't often write reviews, but for this book I have to as it was sooo excellent, (a 5 +++) and so exactly what I wanted to listen to a few days before Christmas As a long time fan, .I've read quite a lot of Willis so I knew the narrative would be good and probably humorous, I just didn't expect it to be so well developed specifically for a Christmas read. It's also very nicely narrated

The dozen short stories, except for one, weigh in at about 40 pages. They're all linked with a slightly different Christmasy theme and spirit, but there's a lot of humor in them, some light futurist sci-fi, and a tiny sprinkling of romance. I smiled and laughed and sometimes my heart was touched. It's been over 2 days now and I still can't find my next listen. Enjoy.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I couldn't get through it

I love Christmas short stories and I have several audio books that I go to every year. Most of them as the classics, like Hans Christian Anderson or Louisa May Alcott. They all feel Christmasy, in one way or the other.

I listened to the first story and more than half of the second.

I would say that they were both "cute" but not my cup of tea. Just a little too camp for my taste. What's more, they are pretty long for short stories... over an hour each.

I much prefer "Christmas Book at Bedtime: Complete Series" or "Classic Christmas Stories: A Collection of Timeless Holiday Tales."

But your mileage may vary.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great collection of unexpected Christmas stories

Connie Willis always tells unique and amazing stories. This collection is no exception. The stories are funny, touching (in a non-heavy handed way), and enjoyable.

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3 people found this helpful

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A lot like Christmas

Connie Willis is a wonderful writer and this compilation of short sci fi Christmas stories proves it. Narration by Eliza Foss , L. J. Ganser, Lori Gardner and, John Keating was very good.Recommended for teen on up.

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A Wonderful Christmas Read!

I was apprehensive, having slogged through many a sappy, sweet, formulaic holiday tale.
This is the ONE, so unexpected, witty and funny. Each story is like a little present you get to open, and the whole collection comes together beautifully with the book ends of the prologue and epilogue.
Grab a cup of tea, cuddle under a soft blanket and enjoy.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A (mostly) Merry Read

Only a few opinions - All About Emily is my favorite, blending history, speculation, irony, and sentiment into a delectable holiday cocktail; Willis at her best, I think. Now Showing and Newsletter also delighted.

As I'm unable to contribute a virtual stapler, please accept this organizational gift.

Chapter - Title
2 - Miracle
4 - All About Emily
7 - In
9 - All Seated on the Ground
13 - In Capelius' Toy Shop
14 - Adaptation
16 - Deck.Halls@Boughs/Holly
19 - Cat's Paw
21 - Now Showing
23 - Newsletter
25 - Epiphany
27 - Just Like the Ones We Used to Know

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