Over the Holidays
The best holiday traditions are meant to be broken.
It's only December 1, and Vanessa Clayton has been dreading Christmas since she spotted tinseled trees at her local mall in September. Thankfully, she and her husband, JT, can't afford to drag their twin boys across the country to New England for the annual celebration at her stuffy sister-in-law Patience's home. Not that Vanessa has prepared a proper Christmas for her family in years, and she has less time than ever since she agreed to consult on the script of a local play. Her older sister, Thea, is no help -- she'd rather make art and flirt with surfers than babysit her nine-year-old nephews. Then Patience drops a holiday stress bomb: Her family will come to California instead.
In between "baking" cinnamon rolls for the school potluck and overbearing Patience testing her patience, Vanessa can't stop thinking about the difficult but charming playwright at work. Meanwhile, Patience's teenage daughter, Libby, obsesses over a college boy she has met by the pool, and Thea searches desperately for the meaning of Christmas -- for her latest installation, of course. As their holiday plans go comically awry, these four women discover the true spirit of the season is hidden in every festive surprise.
It's only December 1, and Vanessa Clayton has been dreading Christmas since she spotted tinseled trees at her local mall in September. Thankfully, she and her husband, JT, can't afford to drag their twin boys across the country to New England for the annual celebration at her stuffy sister-in-law Patience's home. Not that Vanessa has prepared a proper Christmas for her family in years, and she has less time than ever since she agreed to consult on the script of a local play. Her older sister, Thea, is no help -- she'd rather make art and flirt with surfers than babysit her nine-year-old nephews. Then Patience drops a holiday stress bomb: Her family will come to California instead.
In between "baking" cinnamon rolls for the school potluck and overbearing Patience testing her patience, Vanessa can't stop thinking about the difficult but charming playwright at work. Meanwhile, Patience's teenage daughter, Libby, obsesses over a college boy she has met by the pool, and Thea searches desperately for the meaning of Christmas -- for her latest installation, of course. As their holiday plans go comically awry, these four women discover the true spirit of the season is hidden in every festive surprise.
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Book details:
- Pocket Books |
- 336 pages |
- ISBN 9781439166703 |
- October 2009
$16.99 List Price
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Book Reviews
Reading Group Guide
This reading group guide for Over the Holidays includes an introduction, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club, and a Q&A with author Sandra Harper. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.
Introduction
This year, Vanessa Channing is NOT flying across the country to New England to spend Christmas with her in-laws. Determined to have a simple, meaningful holiday at home, she suggests to her husband they just stay in Los Angeles with the twins. But simple becomes complicated with the arrival of the Massachusetts relatives and, as plans go awry, Vanessa, her family, and friends search for the joy and goodwill of the season.
Discussion Questions
1. As sisters, Vanessa and Thea couldn’t be more different. Vanessa lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her husband and twin boys, while Thea lives in vibrant, gritty Venice Beach with her art. How are these two sisters different in their approaches to life? Do they share any similarities?
2. Vanessa wakes up early one morning to find her husband JT making a spontaneous batch of cinnamon rolls (p. 22). What is the reason for JT’s sudden need to bake so early in the morning, and how does Vanessa deal with her husband’s stre see more
Introduction
This year, Vanessa Channing is NOT flying across the country to New England to spend Christmas with her in-laws. Determined to have a simple, meaningful holiday at home, she suggests to her husband they just stay in Los Angeles with the twins. But simple becomes complicated with the arrival of the Massachusetts relatives and, as plans go awry, Vanessa, her family, and friends search for the joy and goodwill of the season.
Discussion Questions
1. As sisters, Vanessa and Thea couldn’t be more different. Vanessa lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her husband and twin boys, while Thea lives in vibrant, gritty Venice Beach with her art. How are these two sisters different in their approaches to life? Do they share any similarities?
2. Vanessa wakes up early one morning to find her husband JT making a spontaneous batch of cinnamon rolls (p. 22). What is the reason for JT’s sudden need to bake so early in the morning, and how does Vanessa deal with her husband’s stre see more
Video
Author Sandra Harper on her latest novel
Laugh along with author Sandra Harper as she talks about HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a classic comedic novel of american family life.
Author Sandra Harper on her latest novel
Novelist Sandra Harper Wishes She Had This Talent
What is Novelist Sandra Harper's Favorite Movie? Find Out Now!
