John Scalzi is an incredibly fun writer, and his short stories never fail to entertain. This book is no exception. I enjoyed every story in this collection. Many of the stories made me laugh, which is pretty typical of Scalzi's work often being hilarious, but there were also some sentimental moments here. I'm definitely in the holiday spirit after reading this book. Thanks to Mr. Scalzi, Subterranean Press, and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

I struggled with this one. I read the first interview segment, skimmed the second and just paged forward through the third. There was some rambling New Year's resolutions piece that I just didn't find funny. But there were two short stories, one about an early Christmas and the foreboding possibilities why we might need it. Well written and chilling in an open ended way. Another story about learning the joy in giving instead of getting. Those showed Scalzi's skill in writing.
All in all, too much material that felt like hastily assembled filler. The stories were rather good. The interviews, resolutions and list of Christmas TV specials you don't remember seeing I did not enjoy.

A quick read of mostly novelty pieces centered around the holidays. While a few of the short stories are solid, the interviews with elves and whatnot are often awkward and not much fun to read, like bad SNL skits.

A VERY SCALZI CHRISTMAS – Fifteen short takes on the holiday season, and I loved every one of them! Stories that made me laugh out loud, eye-opening informational articles (yeah, I’m not going to be able to get Steve Guttenberg in fur-trimmed red briefs and crimson leathers out of my head any time soon), and one short story that brought me to tears, ‘Sarah’s Sister.’

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Subterranean Press, for providing me with an advanced copy of A VERY SCALZI CHRISTMAS in exchange for an honest review.

Available now for pre-order and scheduled to release on November 30, 2019.

As John Scalzi states in the introduction, “Christmas (and the holidays on either side of it) gives me something to write about and have fun with on an annual basis”, and for some years he’s done so on his author website and other places. If you’re a fan of his fast-paced science fiction novels, this may -- or may not -- be for you. I don’t know. All I know is that sometimes the need for escapism manifests as a need to laugh, and this collection, which includes three previously unpublished pieces, answers. In this book, Santa’s lawyer discusses liability; there’s a lively argument between a human narrator and a sentient, fridge-raiding month of November; a Thanksgiving grace that includes alien invasion, a robot uprising, and dinosaurs; poetry; political satire; and short fiction, as well as giddily satirical articles claiming to tell the true origins and purposes of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s music, TV holiday specials, and social behavior. So is this satire, fantasy, or science fiction? All three! Enjoy. Maybe give someone A Very Scalzi Christmas as a gift.

A collection of Christmas-themed short stories, listicles, and other humorous pieces, most of which have already been published elsewhere. If Scalzi is your sort of thing, you'll definitely enjoy. I especially liked the interview with Santa's lawyer.

I have read many of Scalzi's books over the years. I also enjoy short stories. This set of stories was one of the best I have read. My only problem with it it's that it was over too soon.
It is trite to say, "I laughed, I cried', but the truth is that I frequently laughed and Scalzi wrote a story intended to make his mother-in-law tear-up that works on others too.
My favorites were the interview style stories, particularly the one with Santa's reindeer wrangler. I enjoyed it so much I insisted my wife read it immediately.
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Scalzi's writing or, frankly, wants to have a laugh this holiday (or anytime).

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Fans of Scalzi, rejoice! This seasonal collection of short stories mixes older content and some (3, I think?) new pieces that will likely delight his fans and at least amuse those new to his work. None of the content is terribly taxing, it is a light and geeky holiday quick read throughout.

There is a Jurassic Park/Armageddon (Bruce Willis) Thanksgiving Grace, An interview with the month of November, Funny reviews on Christmas music, some Scalzi goes Dr. Suess, reviews for Christmas movies and so much more. Scalzi pretty much covers everything seasonal in his unique way and I loved it.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

A Very Scalzi Christmas by John Scalzi, A great book for all sci-fi lovers out there. This book was hilarious! It will have you rolling on the floor one moment and bawling your eyes out a few minutes later. Get this book for family and friends who need a few good laughs!!

Lightweight collection of Christmas-themed f/sf stories. The best was the interview with Santa’s lawyer—Scalzi at least talked to someone with a working knowledge of intellectual property law, yay!

Whoa!! What a fun ride. John Scalzi, highly acclaimed science-fiction writer, best known for his marvelous "Old Man's War" series ... treats us to a potpourri of 15 irreverent shorts ... all dessert, no vegetables. Nothing is sacrosanct as he pokes fun at the commercialization and religious tone to this beloved holiday. It's fair game to interview numerous characters of local color ... Santa's lawyer, Santa's Reindeer wrangler, the Christmas bunny, an elf, and even the Nativity Innkeeper who couldn't find a room for Joseph and Mary.
But, alone worth the price of admission is "Sarah's Sister" ... who would think a story about static electricity and giving birth could be so poignant. It even brought tears to my eyes while reading it on airplane ride home.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press ( @SubPress ) for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest Review. This svelte gem of 144 pages deserves a home in the stocking of ALL your loved ones!

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I always enjoy John Scalzi's books, and this was no exception, although it was very different from his usual science fiction novels. This is a collection of short stories/a little poetry, basically centered around Christmas - although we do have a story with November having a bit of a pity party!

The stories are mostly funny, with a couple thrown in that are touching. They are all enjoyable to read, and the book gave me a few hours of fun.

A Very Scalzi Christmas by John Scalzi. 5 stars

I have been a fan of John Scalzi since Agent to the Stars. When this book of short stories became available for review, I jumped right in and requested a copy. Some of the stories were familiar since I read Mr. Scalzi' blog regularly. Some were brand new to me,; in his intro he explains that three of the short stores were exclusive to this collection. What can I say that would not be repetitive. I laughed and I cried and generally enjoyed every entry in this book. Since I've worked near legal professionals, I really liked "An Interview with Santa's Lawyer".. "Christmas in July" and "Sarah's Sister" made me cry a few tears. This collection is lovely because it puts these stories in one place. I look forward to his next book The Last Emperox.

Thank you Netgalley and Subterranean Press for this ARC...

*Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*

Anyone familiar with Scalzi’s endearing snark will be happy to find more of it, unironically sweetened, in “A Very Scalzi Christmas,” a small collection of about a dozen Christmas-themed essays, short fiction, interviews, and lists. A lot of hilarity, a dash of sadness, steadily clever, this collection is like a Christmas variety special in a stocking-stuffer sized book. It made my heart grow three sizes.

Rating: four stars.

A Very Scalzi Christmas just helped me do my holiday shopping! 15 holiday themed stories. Some new, most not, all delightful.

This is a collection of light-hearted SFish tales of the winter holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year's). Nothing here is meant to astound or tread new ground - it's all merely to entertain. It's certainly a different side of the author if you've only read his novels.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is a collection of 15 short writings by John Scalzi, some touching and some laugh out loud funny, but always delightfully fantastical.