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A Whiter Shade of Christmas
Matt lies about his Christmas plans to his co-workers every year for the past five. He doesn't want to admit to the truth, his loneliness, or the place he visits every Christmas Day. But a chance encounter with a homeless acquaintance might just save him this year.
About the Author
Taylor Grant is a two-time Bram Stoker Award® nominated author, professional screenwriter and award-winning filmmaker. His work has been seen on network television, the big screen, the stage, the Web, as well as in graphic novels, newspapers, national magazines, books, and heard on the radio. His Bestselling collection, The Dark at the End of the Tunnel, received a Bram Stoker Award nomination.
About the Author
Taylor Grant is a two-time Bram Stoker Award® nominated author, professional screenwriter and award-winning filmmaker. His work has been seen on network television, the big screen, the stage, the Web, as well as in graphic novels, newspapers, national magazines, books, and heard on the radio. His Bestselling collection, The Dark at the End of the Tunnel, received a Bram Stoker Award nomination.
20 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2017
About the author
Taylor Grant
109 books63 followersTAYLOR GRANT is a two-time Bram Stoker Award Nominated Author, professional screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. His work has been seen on network television, the big screen, the stage, the web, newspapers, comic books, national magazines, anthologies, and heard on the radio.
As an author, he has shared pages with Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Blake Crouch, Kelley Armstrong, Joe R. Lansdale, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and many of the top writers in speculative fiction. He wrote and produced the hit comic adaptation "Rot & Ruin," based on the New York Times Bestselling series, which became the #1 horror comic for WEBTOON, the largest digital comics publisher in the world, with over 75 million active readers.
His fiction has been published by Random House, Cemetery Dance, National Lampoon, Crystal Lake Publishing, WEBTOON, Moonstone Books, and many more.
As an author, he has shared pages with Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Blake Crouch, Kelley Armstrong, Joe R. Lansdale, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and many of the top writers in speculative fiction. He wrote and produced the hit comic adaptation "Rot & Ruin," based on the New York Times Bestselling series, which became the #1 horror comic for WEBTOON, the largest digital comics publisher in the world, with over 75 million active readers.
His fiction has been published by Random House, Cemetery Dance, National Lampoon, Crystal Lake Publishing, WEBTOON, Moonstone Books, and many more.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 26, 2017
After three days of non stop, cooking, cleaning and family, I'm exhausted. Then my Page habit box was delivered early this morning, with this short story included. I read it, and was quickly reminded how grateful I am to have people to cook and clean for, grateful for my family and my friends.
Matt is alone, his wife died five years ago, he lies to his co-workers about his holiday plans not wanting to admit the turth. An encounter with a homeless man, and the risk he decides to take, will open up new possibilities and a possible way forward.
After reading this I looked about the number of homeless on our streets that were veterans. Was floored to discover the number is almost forty thousand, suffering from drug abuse, PTSD, and various mental illnesses. Simply beyond comprehension that these poor men, though there are a few women too, are treated this way after serving their country.
Yes, this story is a bit schmaltzy, but if a story can't be schmaltzy at Christmas, when can it be? Plus, as you can see, it made me think.
Matt is alone, his wife died five years ago, he lies to his co-workers about his holiday plans not wanting to admit the turth. An encounter with a homeless man, and the risk he decides to take, will open up new possibilities and a possible way forward.
After reading this I looked about the number of homeless on our streets that were veterans. Was floored to discover the number is almost forty thousand, suffering from drug abuse, PTSD, and various mental illnesses. Simply beyond comprehension that these poor men, though there are a few women too, are treated this way after serving their country.
Yes, this story is a bit schmaltzy, but if a story can't be schmaltzy at Christmas, when can it be? Plus, as you can see, it made me think.
December 29, 2017
This is a short story that packs a good punch.
The story touches on many things that you wouldn't think such a short story could do in one shot. It's so hard to describe this book without running the risk of giving anything away and destroying the whole story for the next reader! It's a story of lost love, kindness, hope, love anew, and food! The food is always important.
The author did a tremendous job in bringing characters to life and bringing a full well written story to completion in the time most tales would barely be getting started. I would recommend reading this one, especially if you are looking for a quick little story that is likely to put a smile on your face for the holidays (or anytime you need a quick holiday story).
The story touches on many things that you wouldn't think such a short story could do in one shot. It's so hard to describe this book without running the risk of giving anything away and destroying the whole story for the next reader! It's a story of lost love, kindness, hope, love anew, and food! The food is always important.
The author did a tremendous job in bringing characters to life and bringing a full well written story to completion in the time most tales would barely be getting started. I would recommend reading this one, especially if you are looking for a quick little story that is likely to put a smile on your face for the holidays (or anytime you need a quick holiday story).
December 30, 2017
#PageHabit short story
December 30, 2020
A beautiful short story that shows you there is always a light in dark times, and other people have bigger problems
February 13, 2018
I’m conflicted about this one. On the surface it appears to be a heartwarming Christmas tale of a man overcoming his grief by reaching out and helping others. On the other hand, it doesn’t look terribly kindly on the homeless (though it also doesn’t tear them down, more like slightly across the neutral line) and it arguably has some other issues as well.
On a positive note, it did help to bring awareness to how many homeless are veterans, something society as a whole too easily overlooks. So I appreciate the author for making the attempt to remind us that they are just as human as you or I.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
On a positive note, it did help to bring awareness to how many homeless are veterans, something society as a whole too easily overlooks. So I appreciate the author for making the attempt to remind us that they are just as human as you or I.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
October 7, 2021
A wonderful character arc of a grieving man who dreads Christmas, but through the power of compassion--just might find a way back to love. This could be a Christmas film easily. A lot of plot packed into a short story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will most likely revisit during the holidays when I need a little perk.
January 4, 2018
Short and sweetly melancholy.
I love Grant for including a very important message about veterans without getting preachy about it.
I love Grant for including a very important message about veterans without getting preachy about it.
January 8, 2018
Such a cute little story!
January 19, 2018
This was a really heart warming quick read.
January 20, 2018
This was a heartwarming story that really fits with the Christmas mood.
It reminds you that you should appreciate the small things in life and that happiness can be found in places that you never expected it to be.
It reminds you that you should appreciate the small things in life and that happiness can be found in places that you never expected it to be.
December 27, 2017
Received as a tiny chapter book in my December Page Habit box. A short, heart-warming tale about loss and recovery.
December 23, 2017
wistful + new beginnings
❄️
“...he dreaded Christmas like a terminal case of cancer.”
❄️
instagram book reviews @brettlikesbooks
❄️
“...he dreaded Christmas like a terminal case of cancer.”
❄️
instagram book reviews @brettlikesbooks
December 23, 2017
3.5 stars. A very sweet, short story.
January 6, 2018
This story isn't heartwarming or seasonal. It's just bad. The narrator, Matt, is so busy being miserable that he assumes everyone must be as unhappy as he is. His narration is condescending towards homeless people, and he pats himself on the back for knowing basic information about military veterans. The author tops it off by fetishising Hispanics in the form of the love interest, Gabriela. Don't waste your time.
January 6, 2018
Tremendo caca.
It sucked.
Props on making a short story of 26 pages capable of fetishizing Hispanic women, being condescending toward homeless people, and being terribly written.
“Im from Honduras. Do you know it”?
It sucked.
Props on making a short story of 26 pages capable of fetishizing Hispanic women, being condescending toward homeless people, and being terribly written.
“Im from Honduras. Do you know it”?
December 27, 2017
A short about love and loss and how people choose to spend their holidays. It was unexpectedly touching.
March 20, 2018
Cute lil thing. Sad to think this is the reality of many, and its a great idea to form a 'family' of your own to share misery and happy moments with.
The ending was rather beside the point, but sure, fine.
The ending was rather beside the point, but sure, fine.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews