This year, she's come out with the perfect Xmas Gift for the woman who has everything (or never likes anything you buy her) - Spending the Holidays* with People I want to Punch in the Throat.
In the author's words, she wrote this book because "I come from a long line of overachievers. ..... when I was growing up my mother made sure that holidays* were always an Event (with a capital E) for me and my brother." No pressure there then.
* - Non-Americans, remember that "the holidays" in the US and in this case, refers to the Xmas season.
The book begins with "10 Things I Hate about the Holidays" and I have to admit, I hate some of them too, especially Number One - Pumpkin-flavor everything. Yuck. Even Starbucks is in on the act with its Pumpkin Spice Latte. Seriously. the last thing I want in my coffee (even if it's a latte) is a pumpkin spicey kick. Just Google "pumpkin flavor..." and the list of things covers the gamut from Oreos to condoms. (I resisted posting the photo.)
And then there's "Christmas Music Everywhere." Again, seriously. There's one radio channel here in Chicago (and I believe there are others) that switches to playing only Christmas all the time. Fortunately in the USA we have Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November) as a sort of buffer to the Christmas barrage, although not everyone follows the rules.
So - this book is light reading and great for that gift when you can't think of anything else, or when you know the recipient is even more of a curmudgeon than the author. It's also a great glimpse into how things are done in the USA.
As Donald Trump would say - The Holidays are "Yoooge" over here.
He's a bit pumpkin-tinged when you think about it. Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book after I had agreed to review it.
