I really didn't care for this book. The short stories were too similar and I did not finish it. The first two or three were good, but then it felt like I was reading the same rom-com story over and over.

This is such a great collection of holidays that can tend to be overlooked.
There is the look at family and how different their relationships can be. But how those family relationships really affect how these characters grow up.
I really liked the LGBTQ representation too throughout the stories.
A great collection for any and every library.

If you've ever felt that holiday stories tend to revolve around the same tinsel-covered tree or turkey dinner, *For the Rest of Us* is the beautiful, generous antidote. Edited by Dahlia Adler, this anthology pulls together 14 heartfelt stories from acclaimed authors, each spotlighting a different cultural or religious celebration with sincerity, warmth, and emotional depth. From the bright burst of Holi to the quiet reverence of Winter Solstice, the book serves up a sensory-rich invitation into how different communities mark the passage of the year.

The collection as a whole is rich with meaning, generosity, and spirit. These aren’t holiday stories dressed up in costume; they’re grounded in lived experience, full of the small tensions, family contradictions, unexpected humor, and quiet personal victories that make celebrations feel so real. Together, they create a mosaic of what it truly means to belong—not to one tradition, but to the act of celebration itself.

Two stories in particular left a lasting impression. One, set during the Lunar New Year, captures the internal tug-of-war between tradition and selfhood with subtlety and power. The author weaves in family dynamics, festive detail, and quiet emotional stakes in a way that feels deeply personal and utterly universal. Another, centered around a cheeky Christmas/Hanukkah rivalry, turns enemies into allies through a hilarious and ultimately heartwarming tradition of “holiday judging.” It’s witty, warm, and surprisingly touching—reminding us how shared rituals can mend even the prickliest relationships.

In the editor’s note, Dahlia Adler writes about how holidays are about “feeling infused with the spirit of their joy.” That sentiment resonates throughout the book. For the Rest of Us is more than just a holiday read—it’s a reminder that every tradition, every story, every identity deserves space at the table.

Highly recommended—not just for teens, but for anyone who wants to read something warm, inclusive, and full of heart.

I read this because one of my favorite authors has a story in it but I was amazed at how excellent the stories all were and how much nail biting conflict there was in each story even though they’re each very short and more low-stakes.
Several of the stories are also queer in addition to them all being ethnically diverse.