I love Christmas books. I enjoy mysteries set during the holiday season, and romances set at Christmastime. But, every year I look for an unusual Christmas book, one that isn’t sweet or one that is humorous. It’s one reason I’ve always loved Connie Willis’ collection, A Lot Like Christmas. There’s a little bit of everything, laughter, romance, and tears in her book. John Scalzi manages to induce quite a bit of laughter and a tear or two with his new collection, A Very Scalzi Christmas.


John Scalzi is best known as a science fiction writer, but if you ever followed his website or his Twitter account, especially his account featuring his cats, you’ll know he has a warped sense of humor. I love that humor, although others might not. That humor is reflected in these stories. Just check out the cover with the ninja on it, the cat, and the Christmas Bunny. If you’re looking for dry humor, check out “An Interview with Santa’s Lawyer”. There are all kinds of reasons poor Santa needs a lawyer. Scalzi writes poetry, “Jackie Jones and Melrose Mandy”. “Script Notes on the Birth of Jesus” is a little over the top.

My personal favorites were Scalzi’s two short stories. In his introduction, he mentions he wrote one story just to make his mother-in-law cry. You’ll know which one it is. My favorite story had a military presence, “Christmas in July”. And, I can quote from that story without giving anything away. “When you give a gift, you are presenting kindness. You are showing the person that you see them. That you appreciate them. That you want something for them that will ease their burdens and the load they carry. You want to make them happy, if only for a moment. A gift is a kindness.”

So, here’s my gift to you, a kindness. If you’re looking for something a little different this year, check out John Scalzi’s A Very Scalzi Christmas.




John Scalzi’s website is https://whatever.scalzi.com. If you love cats, check out his Twitter account, @scamperbeasts.  He can also be found @scalzi, which I enjoy, but, before following him there, make sure you read his Notes for followers. His politics and opinions are not for everyone.

A Very Scalzi Christmas by John Scalzi. Subterranean Press, 2019. ISBN 9781596069329 (hardcover), 144p.

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