I bought this book about a year ago and only got to reading it now, the Christmas spirit bearing early on me and all. Three stories by three different authors juxtaposing the fact that one way or another we are all connected and responsible for each other. And that a little kindness on the season of joy goes a long way. But make no expectations of any deep epiphanies because this book brings a feel-good story whose purpose only seems to be to warm the heart. The book follows three story lines happening simultaneously after this train gets stuck in a snowstorm.
Let It Snow
by
John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
The story begins with our first heroine, Ms. jubilee. She opens the books with her shame of having to spend Christmas while her parents are in jail because of a shallow holiday family tradition. Her journey to another town brings her to spend an unexpected Christmas and cause a chain of events that changes the lives of others around her, including the heroines of the next two stories and her own. Jubilee had this perfect life back home and had everything planned out for the holidays, until her parents got arrested. All things went downhill for her there until she made this decision to take control and leave the train in the middle of a snowstorm. From there, her wretched holiday turned into the best one ever.
I cannot give away any more of her story than that vague description because narrating it would already give away much of it. In the end, let us just say that Julie (jubilee) may not have spent Christmas the way she planned, but spent it better than she would have.
Upon Julie's happy ending, we follow the story of four friends making a race towards the Waffle House for the chance to spend the holiday of their dreams-- with Cheerleaders. Only, one of them was not so ecstatic on the idea because she could care less about cheerleaders and more about her friend. Though our hero in this story was in denial at first, he later accepts the truth about how he felt about his friend the duke. It was a cheesy ending for them, but still sweet and merry.
Out of the three stories intertwined, this was my favorite. Mostly I think it is because the perspective was intriguing to me because it was a guy narrating. But also I think it is because of the way the realization unfolded for the both of them. It was very very cute.
The last story was of Ms. Addie. Her may be shallow but I guess for those out there having the same dilemma as hers, this could be the eye-opener they need or are looking for. The heroine here is presented as a self-absorbed and quite immature girl who manages to make every little detail about herself. After a little quarrel with her friends, she realized how she needed to do better for others. So then, she is out to the test when she forgets the errand about a teacup pig. As she panicked herself, it turns out all she really needed to do was not think of herself and think of others so she can see better.
Predictable and a little cheesy, but out of the three this story was the one with the most meaning to it. It especially sent in the needed holiday spirit and message that the book needed to make it truly a story one for the holidays, and not just one happening during the holidays. My favorite line or "quotable quote" came from this story line and was delivered by Mayzie, "Christmas is never over, unless you want it to be... Christmas is a state of mind."
A fitting book for the season, Let it Snow will bring out the joy and wonder of Christmas in you in unexpected ways. It lifts up your mood even on the gloomiest of days and brings out the smile you never thought you could have on that day.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! :)
Dani
December 27, 2013- 9:50pm
"Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful.
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"
- Let it Snow, Frank Sinatra
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