Sign in with Facebook
Matthew's Reviews > The Christmas Box
The Christmas Box (The Christmas Box, #1)
by
by
If you follow my reviews, you know that many of my nostalgic reflections involve my time working at Waldenbooks in the 1990s. That is no different with The Christmas Box. For those of you who might be familiar with the history of this book, that should come as no surprise. Released in 1995, this short hardcover was a staple stocking stuffer for many years (and may still be). We had stacks of copies a couple hundred high and kept a display at the registers to encourage add-ons. During the month of December almost every other sale included a copy. Sometimes people would by multiple copies of it at a time to make sure everyone in the family had one.
So, since it was a short book and very popular you would think I read it back then to see what all the hype was about. Alas, I did not - I was much more specific with my reading at the time (mainly Stephen King and required high school reading), so a flowery covered book about Christmas wasn't worth my time. This holiday season I decided to remedy that.
I am very glad I took the time! This book has so much heart! It is an engaging, one sitting read. You could probably even easily read it out loud to your family in a couple of installments. The prose was very nice and tears were jerked many times - I was sure someone was cutting onions! I think this book will really resonate with people who try to juggle family time with the rigors of day-to-day life.
Side note: The following bears no impact on my judgment of the book, I just want to make sure everyone is in the know. This is a very faith-based book. I am aware that not all of my Goodreads friends are religious. If you think you may not enjoy a story with a Christ-based focus, then it is likely you will not enjoy this. But if you do like faith-based stories or don't mind them, I can easily recommend this story to you.
So, since it was a short book and very popular you would think I read it back then to see what all the hype was about. Alas, I did not - I was much more specific with my reading at the time (mainly Stephen King and required high school reading), so a flowery covered book about Christmas wasn't worth my time. This holiday season I decided to remedy that.
I am very glad I took the time! This book has so much heart! It is an engaging, one sitting read. You could probably even easily read it out loud to your family in a couple of installments. The prose was very nice and tears were jerked many times - I was sure someone was cutting onions! I think this book will really resonate with people who try to juggle family time with the rigors of day-to-day life.
Side note: The following bears no impact on my judgment of the book, I just want to make sure everyone is in the know. This is a very faith-based book. I am aware that not all of my Goodreads friends are religious. If you think you may not enjoy a story with a Christ-based focus, then it is likely you will not enjoy this. But if you do like faith-based stories or don't mind them, I can easily recommend this story to you.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Christmas Box.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
December 8, 2018
–
Started Reading
December 8, 2018
– Shelved
December 8, 2018
– Shelved as:
audio
December 8, 2018
– Shelved as:
hoopla
December 9, 2018
– Shelved as:
2018
December 9, 2018
– Shelved as:
library
December 9, 2018
– Shelved as:
spiritual
December 9, 2018
– Shelved as:
tear-jerkers
December 9, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-33 of 33 (33 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Erin
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Dec 09, 2018 06:38AM
Beautiful review, Matthew. I love Richard Paul Evans and his emotional stories. Knowing the true story behind this one, makes it all that much sweeter. Great job!
reply
|
flag
Erin wrote: "Beautiful review, Matthew. I love Richard Paul Evans and his emotional stories. Knowing the true story behind this one, makes it all that much sweeter. Great job!"Thank you, Erin!😁
I saw that he has other books - sone of which are touted as sequels to The Christmas Box. Do you know if they are truly sequels, or just mare Christmas stories in a similar vein.
Great story, Matthew. I think I interviewed Evans for one of my first ever published articles. The story of how he distributed it himself and it became a bestseller - way before the internet! - is amazing. Then major publishers were bidding for it. He was the sweetest man and inscribed my copy to my mom, who loved the book.
I loved this one as well Matthew! It is my favourite of his books. A friend made me a “Christmas Box” as we both treasure this book. I loved that you added your personal story!
Well, guess who else was a Waldenbooks employee? This review made me smile, Matthew!
Nicely done, Mathhew!
Its a pretty good read. I enjoyed that one too.
Glenn wrote: "Great story, Matthew. I think I interviewed Evans for one of my first ever published articles. The story of how he distributed it himself and it became a bestseller - way before the internet! - is ..."Thanks, Glenn! You have shared a great story, too! Yes, definitely a tale of something going viral before viral was even a thing.
Matthew wrote: "Erin wrote: "Beautiful review, Matthew. I love Richard Paul Evans and his emotional stories. Knowing the true story behind this one, makes it all that much sweeter. Great job!"Thank you, Erin!😁
..."
Matthew, a little of both. I can't remember which titles are which but there are some true sequels and a lot in the same vein. All worth a read though. Especially this time of year. :) It's been awhile since I've read them. I'll have to refresh!
Antoinette wrote: "I loved this one as well Matthew! It is my favourite of his books. A friend made me a “Christmas Box” as we both treasure this book. I loved that you added your personal story!"Thanks, Antoinette! That was very cool of your friend to do that for you!😃
Julie wrote: "Well, guess who else was a Waldenbooks employee? This review made me smile, Matthew!"Waldenbooks FTW!
HBalikov wrote: "Nicely done, Mathhew!"Thanks!😁😁
Amber wrote: "Its a pretty good read. I enjoyed that one too."Have you tried any of his others?
Rob wrote: "And I also found it quit interesting"Rob wrote: "Your reveiw was so well written I found it verry good. : D : P"
Thanks, Rob!😃
What a beautiful review, Matthew. I loved this little book.
Erin wrote: "Matthew, a little of both. I can't remember which titles are which but there are some true sequels and a lot in the same vein. All worth a read though. Especially this time of year. :) It's been awhile since I've read them. I'll have to refresh!"I will definitely check them out. If not this year, next Christmas season!
I remember when this came out. I have since become a big fan of Evans’s Michael Vey series.
Nicola wrote: "Lovely review Matthew! Thank you for sharing your story too. 😊"Thank you, Nicola!😁. I always love when I can include a backstory in a review.
Christine wrote: "What a beautiful review, Matthew. I loved this little book."Thank you so much, Christine!
Hi Mathew, I am looking for a suitable Christmas story. I think this one might do.Great review.
Audrey wrote: "I remember when this came out. I have since become a big fan of Evans’s Michael Vey series."I am definitely going to check out more of his stuff.
Saul wrote: "Hi Mathew, I am looking for a suitable Christmas story. I think this one might do.Great review."
Thanks - and glad to help! I hope you enjoy!
It's a wonderful read, I read it so long ago, both my sister and myself.
Audrey wrote: "The Christmas Box House is a children’s shelter set up some years ago: https://thechristmasbox.org/"A children's shelter is the perfect charity for this book!
leslie hamod wrote: "A wonderful and nostalgic review! Thankyou Matthew!💖"Thank you and you're welcome!😁
We have an angel statue from this book in our town❤️ we had a candlelight vigil on Dec 6 in memory of our children we have lost and that’s where I first heard of this book! I’m currently reading the 3rd in the trilogy!
Ashley wrote: "We have an angel statue from this book in our town❤️ we had a candlelight vigil on Dec 6 in memory of our children we have lost and that’s where I first heard of this book! I’m currently reading th..."How are the other books?
I loved Waldenbooks. There was one in the mall where I worked for a couple years and I was in there often. I think that is where I bought my copy. I have given many as gifts and I read it nearly every Christmas. I have also read the rest of the trilogy and enjoyed the rest of the story that this one ends.
Donna wrote: "I loved Waldenbooks. There was one in the mall where I worked for a couple years and I was in there often. I think that is where I bought my copy. I have given many as gifts and I read it nearly ev..."Yay! Another Waldenbooks nostalgia buddy! 😁
Thanks for the info on the other books. One day I might check them out.
Didn’t know the history… glad I do now. Just today saw someone mentioned it in a review here on GR and so I looked it up. I’m a SK fan too and I am not really into emotional stuff or romance but Tis The Season for an exception , may have to check this one out. I love Christmas 🎄 -many blessings to you
Michelle*Lee wrote: "Didn’t know the history… glad I do now. Just today saw someone mentioned it in a review here on GR and so I looked it up. I’m a SK fan too and I am not really into emotional stuff or romance but Ti..."I hope you enjoy it, Michelle*Lee! :)
Merry Christmas to you!
Your review had all the information I was looking for in my decision whether or not to read this book! thank you for the info in the last paragraph!
