Jason F. Wright

Recommended: YES!

This was a glorious used-bookstore-find, and a rare book that I will probably read multiple times. It gives me the warm fuzzies, but avoids the cliches and cringing that often also accompany the warm fuzzies.

The adult children of this family suddenly lose their parents and all come together in their hometown to handle it, when they find a basement full of THOUSANDS of letters that their father wrote to their mother, weekly, without fail, for their entire marriage. Including show more the last one, which he wrote immediately after his wife died in his arms and before he takes his own life / dies of heartbreak. Reading through the letters reveals some intensities of their parent's marriages they had never known, and deeply rattles all the kids as their images of their parents - and themselves - changes forever.

Also, the "Epilogue" and its presentation KILLS ME with how adorable it is!!!! All I'll say: read to THE VERY END OF THE BOOK. show less

I put this book on a "to be read" list probably back near when it was first published--yes, I'm a little behind in my requesting from the library. I think I was intrigued by the idea of someone writing a letter every week.

I would guess this falls into a more "literary fiction" category, mostly because the back cover blurb mentions the letters revealing a family secret--and then it takes a while before the kids find the letters and then a while more before they discover the secret--like about show more 150 or so pages into the book. I didn't like waiting that long to find out what the secret was.

There were also lots of hints that Malcolm had done something before he fled to Brazil--and it took a while to reveal what that was too, which left me a little confused and frustrated because it felt like everyone was in on the secret except us readers.

I had two options for the father and one of the two was the correct one--in fact, it was the first one I'd identified as a possibility. This book isn't meant as a mystery so maybe there wasn't as much effort to conceal the identity as there might have been for that genre. show less

As a long time fan of both Christmas, and Jason F. Wright, I get excited when I see he has a new book releasing. So, when I saw Picturing Christmas making it's rounds on the blogosphere, I felt like a kid in a candy story. I couldn't wait to get my grabby hands on it. When I got the chance to, I devoured it. In one sitting. Literally. It was 183 pages of Jason Wright awesomeness.

With Jason's books, he writes real life. He takes real situations-divorce, false illusions,hope- things that we show more deal with on a daily basis, and incorporates them into his character's and his plots. He shows us through beautifully chiseled characters that relying on God is ok. It is ok to live a Christian life, no matter what. Aubrey has an illusion that most of us have: perfection. Through the talented hands of Mr. Wright, Aubrey's story comes to life and plays out like something on the big screen. I fell in love with Aubrey's character on her search for the meaning of Christmas. I found myself cheering her on, sharing her smiles and her heartaches. I loved that!

This is definitely worthy of beyond 5 stars. Mr. Wright is a fantabulous author and one who will steal you away and put you right in the heart of his stories. Two thumbs up to an author who has a forever space on my bookshelves. Hats off to an author who never fails to bring to life, beautiful characters and breathtaking plot lines! Grab your copy now!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative show less

This book is FABULOUS!! I thought at first that it was going to be a little corny, but it was incredibly real-to-life - it really touched me. Jason Wright so completely captured the language and emotions of the teens in his discussion group that I felt as if I were back in the classroom teaching. I feel that I am a better person after having read this book; I highly recommend it.