The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: a Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket.

Who doesn’t need a subversive book in the middle of all of the holiday carols, glam and glitz?  Snicket has created a Christmas book that speaks to those of us who don’t celebrate Christmas and those of us who celebrate it with a lot fewer lights, inflatable Santas on motorcycles and blasting carols.  I too have felt the need to start screaming, but knew if I did I would never be able to stop again. 

This book mixes Hanukkah and Christmas with a splash of sarcasm and lot of nerve.  It features the disrespect we show other faiths and customs with our blaring of Christmas everywhere.  The illustrations are fifties-style with simplicity and a sense of fun.  They mix well with the text that is the real winner here.  Some of the passages are so funny that I was unable to read aloud for awhile because I was laughing so hard.

While this book is appropriate for children, I think that adults will enjoy it the most.  If you have someone on your Christmas list who celebrates Hanukkah, get them off of that list and buy them this book!  And don’t wrap it in red and green paper either!  Don’t make me start screaming!