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Skipping Christmas
John Grisham

Skipping Christmas

Quick Answer

Read "Skipping Christmas" as the 12th book in the Standalone Novels sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Pale Horse" (Book 11)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 12th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2010208 ppWikidataSource
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this classic tale for modern times, beloved storyteller John Grisham offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition. The inspiration for the film Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty, they won’t be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash, they aren’t even going to have a tree. They won’t need one, because come December 25 they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences—and isn’t half as easy as they’d imagined.
Next Recommended Book

Six Years

Book #12 of 524 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Standalone Novels conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Skipping Christmas?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Skipping Christmas before The Pale Horse?

No. We recommend reading The Pale Horse first. Skipping Christmas is the 12th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Skipping Christmas required reading for the Standalone Novels?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Skipping Christmas in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Skipping Christmas is Six Years (Book #12).