Over the Thanksgiving holiday I was consumed with the holiday spirit.
On the dawn of Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving when the hustle and bustle of the holidays officially begins - I was overcome with joy. There is nothing I love more than Christmas music, lights on trees and the indescribable energy that accompanies holiday merriment and cheer.
As I was waiting for an appointment over the break, I passed by a boutique with an interesting book in the window. With a few moments to spare before my meeting, I went inside to read the back cover. With an intrigued feeling and $15.95, I officially made my first holiday purchase.
"The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog" was the title of my latest literary acquisition. As I had no interest in completing any schoolwork over the holiday recess, I sat down with a cup of tea and read my new book.
If you love dogs, holiday pageants, family ties, eggnog and cheesy humor, this book is sure to please. From time to time, an easy read is just what the doctor ordered.
Set in the 1960s right outside New York City, Doug Barnes struggles with the perils of adolescence through the holiday season.
Unfortunately, Doug's family gets slammed with some tension through the holiday season.
His crush gets to play Mary in the church Christmas pageant starring opposite a cute, brainy Joseph. To make matters even worse, on the night of the pageant, Doug's dad gets a flat tire and they may not make it to the pageant after all. If this isn't enough, the family dog is in poor health and goes to live with the angels on Christmas Eve.
All of Doug's troubles are overseen by Mrs. Elkins, the pageant director at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Elkins' screechy voice and neurotic mannerisms brought me back to the days of practicing Christmas songs in the children's choir.
Doug's dad comes to the rescue when the Barneses visit the animal shelter and bring home a new pooch, Walter. We love Walter until he gets to the pageant at the bat-infested church and the curtains almost fail to open.
If the pitifully sweet highlights of the book don't make you smile and warm your heart, hopefully you will remember the anxiety you once lived through in junior high.
Although the book has absolutely zero substantiality, after plowing through textbooks to get ready for finals, your brain will appreciate the rudimentary literature.
The author, Dave Barry, is genius. His writing style subliminally radiates dry humor that makes you nod your head when he makes jokes about the emotions of those in junior high school.
I wondered a few times though, if poor little Doug's life was somehow a reflection of the author's own menacing youth. In his Christmastime novella, Barry decorates the book's pages with jolly good humor.
This book took me on a sleigh ride down memory lane. So, cozy up with this book and hear the bells in the snow.
'The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter
the Christmas Miracle Dog'
3 out of 5 pitchforks
Author: Dave Barry
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Price: $15.95
Reach the reporter at: jessica.douglas@asu.edu.
