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Tales of a Paperboy: A Christmas Story
Following the death of his mother, fourteen-year-old Daniel Morgan moves from Texas to Utah to live with his grandma and new step-grandfather while his dad pursues a job out of state. Encouraged by his father, Daniel reluctantly starts his first job as a paperboy. Lonely and lost in an unfamiliar environment and with the holidays approaching, Daniel finds comfort and hope in the sound of local church bells. Through his grandparents and the retired families living on his paper route, Daniel learns valuable lessons about responsibility and family. But will he find the spirit of Christmas he longs for?
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2020
100 people are currently reading
1343 people want to read
About the author
Andrew J. Mair
7 books11 followersAndrew J. Mair is a podcaster, blogger, and author. Tales of a Paperboy – A Christmas Story, his debut novella, was released on August 17, 2020.
He was born in Ogden, Utah in 1974. He grew up in Utah, leaving only briefly for his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Perth, Australia. His mother instilled in him a love for music, family, and especially Christmas.
He attended Western Governors University later in life, receiving a Bachelors’ degree in Business in 2012.
He met his wife Christy in 1998, and they were married in April 2000.
Andrew loves technology and all things considered geek culture, especially Star Wars and Marvel movies.
He participates in several podcasts, including the Utah-based show (in podcast form) The Cultural Hall, as a social media manager and contributor. Other podcasts include his geek centered show, Should We Hit Record. He also appears as the straight ally on Strangers No More, a podcast for LGBTQIA individuals in the LDS Church.
Andrew loves Christmas and dedicates his writing to yuletide themes during the holiday season. Each December, Andrew posts every day from December 1 to Christmas Eve about a range of holiday topics ranging from Christmas carols, angels, shepherds, and Santa Claus.
You can find his blog here: https://andrewjmair.com/authors-blog
Website: https://andrewjmair.com/
Age: 46
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Available for: Book Signings, Speaking, Keynotes, Interviews, Promotional Events
Contact: author@andrewjmair.com
He was born in Ogden, Utah in 1974. He grew up in Utah, leaving only briefly for his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Perth, Australia. His mother instilled in him a love for music, family, and especially Christmas.
He attended Western Governors University later in life, receiving a Bachelors’ degree in Business in 2012.
He met his wife Christy in 1998, and they were married in April 2000.
Andrew loves technology and all things considered geek culture, especially Star Wars and Marvel movies.
He participates in several podcasts, including the Utah-based show (in podcast form) The Cultural Hall, as a social media manager and contributor. Other podcasts include his geek centered show, Should We Hit Record. He also appears as the straight ally on Strangers No More, a podcast for LGBTQIA individuals in the LDS Church.
Andrew loves Christmas and dedicates his writing to yuletide themes during the holiday season. Each December, Andrew posts every day from December 1 to Christmas Eve about a range of holiday topics ranging from Christmas carols, angels, shepherds, and Santa Claus.
You can find his blog here: https://andrewjmair.com/authors-blog
Website: https://andrewjmair.com/
Age: 46
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Available for: Book Signings, Speaking, Keynotes, Interviews, Promotional Events
Contact: author@andrewjmair.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 23, 2024
4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars
I loved this book. This is the story of 14-year-old Daniel who goes to live with his grandma and step-grandfather after the death of his mother a few months before Christmas. It literally takes a village, in the form of a number of elderly folks on his new paper route, to pull Daniel out of his shell and help him “hear the bells again.” A touching tale of the true meaning of Christmas and how one can recover from devastating tragedy to appreciate the Holy Spirit and the beauty and value of life.
I loved this book. This is the story of 14-year-old Daniel who goes to live with his grandma and step-grandfather after the death of his mother a few months before Christmas. It literally takes a village, in the form of a number of elderly folks on his new paper route, to pull Daniel out of his shell and help him “hear the bells again.” A touching tale of the true meaning of Christmas and how one can recover from devastating tragedy to appreciate the Holy Spirit and the beauty and value of life.
September 28, 2020
I love this book!!
The interplay between the grandmother, her journals, and the narrator and his journal is triumphant.
The interplay exposition is something completely unexpected.
A perfect gift for Christmas, this book will pull, even tear at your heartstrings, even as you devote a chapter a day before the holiday to read it.
But DO read it, before this Christmas! Do read it and enjoy it, because if you've been a boy with a grandma, or a paper route, or been a grandma to a boy, you'll get it.
Not only will you empathize with the characters in this story, but it will leave you wishing there were a series of these books out there to read!
Great job, Andrew J. Mair! Great read!
The interplay between the grandmother, her journals, and the narrator and his journal is triumphant.
The interplay exposition is something completely unexpected.
A perfect gift for Christmas, this book will pull, even tear at your heartstrings, even as you devote a chapter a day before the holiday to read it.
But DO read it, before this Christmas! Do read it and enjoy it, because if you've been a boy with a grandma, or a paper route, or been a grandma to a boy, you'll get it.
Not only will you empathize with the characters in this story, but it will leave you wishing there were a series of these books out there to read!
Great job, Andrew J. Mair! Great read!
December 15, 2022
A beautiful, meaningful Christmas story. I loved it and it made my favorites list for 2022.
November 5, 2020
Recently, it feels like Christmas stories have become too focused on personal wish-fulfillment (think Hallmark Christmas movies) or being good for the sake a personal gain (think "Elf on the Shelf"). My favorites have always been those where the main character learns to be happy through service to others without thought for their own reward. "A Christmas Carol", "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever", and even "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" are some of my favorites.
This debut novel by the author has definitely earned a place in my Christmas reading rotation.
"Tales of a Paperboy" follows Daniel, a teenager who's entire life was recently upended. As he tries to adjust to his new reality, he takes a job as a paperboy (a job that's almost extinct now) and, through a series of simple acts of service with the people along his route, finds healing and joy.
The book is well-written with good pacing and fun, believable characters. Adults should love the nostalgia and teens and older-children will enjoy it as well. I plan on reading it out-loud to my whole family this Christmas season.
This debut novel by the author has definitely earned a place in my Christmas reading rotation.
"Tales of a Paperboy" follows Daniel, a teenager who's entire life was recently upended. As he tries to adjust to his new reality, he takes a job as a paperboy (a job that's almost extinct now) and, through a series of simple acts of service with the people along his route, finds healing and joy.
The book is well-written with good pacing and fun, believable characters. Adults should love the nostalgia and teens and older-children will enjoy it as well. I plan on reading it out-loud to my whole family this Christmas season.
Currently reading
December 17, 2020Following the death of his mother, fourteen-year-old Daniel Morgan moves from Texas to Utah to live with his grandma and new step-grandfather while his dad pursues a job out of state.
Encouraged by his father, Daniel reluctantly starts his first job as a paperboy. Lonely and lost in an unfamiliar environment and with the holidays approaching, Daniel finds comfort and hope in the sound of local church bells.
Through his grandparents and the retired families living on his paper route, Daniel learns valuable lessons about responsibility and family. But will he find the spirit of Christmas he longs for?
Encouraged by his father, Daniel reluctantly starts his first job as a paperboy. Lonely and lost in an unfamiliar environment and with the holidays approaching, Daniel finds comfort and hope in the sound of local church bells.
Through his grandparents and the retired families living on his paper route, Daniel learns valuable lessons about responsibility and family. But will he find the spirit of Christmas he longs for?
February 5, 2021
What a lovely story. The tale of Daniel, coping with the death of his mother and living with his grandparents whilst his father takes a job out of town, is masterly told.
A well written, heart warming story about the true meaning of friends, who are not who you always expect them to be, and Christmas. Told through the eyes of a fourteen year old boy, his thoughts will make you laugh and cry.
A poignant tale, though at the same time uplifting as he adjusts to a different life, and learns how to cope with loss and change. His paper round leads him to see people in a different light, and he in turn has an impact on those fortunate to have their papers flung at them.
Terrific story, thoughtful and compassionate, recommend you take the time to read.
A well written, heart warming story about the true meaning of friends, who are not who you always expect them to be, and Christmas. Told through the eyes of a fourteen year old boy, his thoughts will make you laugh and cry.
A poignant tale, though at the same time uplifting as he adjusts to a different life, and learns how to cope with loss and change. His paper round leads him to see people in a different light, and he in turn has an impact on those fortunate to have their papers flung at them.
Terrific story, thoughtful and compassionate, recommend you take the time to read.
September 29, 2020
Andrew Mair’s story of a young boy dealing with life’s hardships and change is absolutely charming. It both tugs at the heartstrings and brings a feeling of nostalgia. If you like Richard Paul Evans you will love Andrew Mair’s Tales of a Paperboy- A Christmas Story.
December 18, 2020
When it comes to Christmas I’m a bit of a scrooge. I routinely see holiday decorations in stores before Halloween - way too early, in my opinion - and that set a sour tone for me for the whole holiday. I hate the crass commercialism of the modern holiday, and the religious part doesn’t really resonate with me. However, I’m an acquaintance of the author. I figured it would be a nice thing to support his first effort at a novel, and it’s certainly seasonally appropriate.
Mair spins a tale featuring solid and well-tried Christmas themes set in a modern context. While I’m not convinced there are many paperboys left in real life, he constructs a plausible scenario where such a job exists for his protagonist. The focus of the story is Daniel, a teen who’s lost his mother the day after Christmas, and who then goes to Utah to live with his grandparents. Full of the expected teenage angst, Daniel has a hard time settling in and adjusting to life in Utah.
His father finds him a paper route, which in turn provides the vehicle for Daniel to meet various characters on his route. Tracey, who could pass for Santa Claus, gives Daniel a break when a mis-thrown paper breaks the glass on his storm door (must be some paper!), allowing him to pay off the debt by helping around the house.
His grandma gives him her journals, which she has meticulously maintained her entire life. Through those, Daniel begins to make some sense of the events that led him to Utah. He also begins to think of his grandma as kind of cool - for an old person. He also begins to keep journals of his own.
There are, of course, other characters and scenes, but my purpose here isn’t to spoil the entire story.
What I found most refreshing - and this is coming from someone best described as areligious - is that Mair weaves lighthearted cultural elements that have evolved around the holiday (like Tracey and his resemblance to St. Nick) and the deeper, more traditional meaning of Christmas.
Mair’s tale focuses on deeper meaning and the personal healing of Daniel. I rather enjoyed it.
Maybe there’s hope for the holiday yet.
Mair spins a tale featuring solid and well-tried Christmas themes set in a modern context. While I’m not convinced there are many paperboys left in real life, he constructs a plausible scenario where such a job exists for his protagonist. The focus of the story is Daniel, a teen who’s lost his mother the day after Christmas, and who then goes to Utah to live with his grandparents. Full of the expected teenage angst, Daniel has a hard time settling in and adjusting to life in Utah.
His father finds him a paper route, which in turn provides the vehicle for Daniel to meet various characters on his route. Tracey, who could pass for Santa Claus, gives Daniel a break when a mis-thrown paper breaks the glass on his storm door (must be some paper!), allowing him to pay off the debt by helping around the house.
His grandma gives him her journals, which she has meticulously maintained her entire life. Through those, Daniel begins to make some sense of the events that led him to Utah. He also begins to think of his grandma as kind of cool - for an old person. He also begins to keep journals of his own.
There are, of course, other characters and scenes, but my purpose here isn’t to spoil the entire story.
What I found most refreshing - and this is coming from someone best described as areligious - is that Mair weaves lighthearted cultural elements that have evolved around the holiday (like Tracey and his resemblance to St. Nick) and the deeper, more traditional meaning of Christmas.
Mair’s tale focuses on deeper meaning and the personal healing of Daniel. I rather enjoyed it.
Maybe there’s hope for the holiday yet.
November 18, 2020
As always, let me first put the disclaimer that I received a free .mobi file of Tales of a Paperboy from author Andrew J. Mair in exchange for an honest review. Readers, I am so delighted that this book was the book that marked my return to reviewing. It was a beautifully heartwarming Christmas story that really replenished a "Christmas Spirit" in me that I haven't felt in quite a few years, and I'm so thrilled that I was able to read it so close to the holidays.
To see my full review of the novel complete with a list of pros and cons, visit my book review blog, Bitty Book Nook: http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/202...
This book is an excellent ode to how a young person deals with a great loss in life. It offers quite an insight to adults that may be fortunate enough not to have experienced such a loss, and the entire story is portrayed with an enormous amount of tender care and grace. Finally, it was a fantastic reminder at how helpful a tool journaling can be, especially when circumstances feel solitary or alienating--Tales of a Paperboy truly inspired me to start regularly putting my accounts and emotions to paper again, and I'm sure other readers will feel exactly the same way. Mr. Mair, thank you for the opportunity to review your work. I look forward to seeing more from you in the future!
To see my full review of the novel complete with a list of pros and cons, visit my book review blog, Bitty Book Nook: http://bittybooknook.blogspot.com/202...
This book is an excellent ode to how a young person deals with a great loss in life. It offers quite an insight to adults that may be fortunate enough not to have experienced such a loss, and the entire story is portrayed with an enormous amount of tender care and grace. Finally, it was a fantastic reminder at how helpful a tool journaling can be, especially when circumstances feel solitary or alienating--Tales of a Paperboy truly inspired me to start regularly putting my accounts and emotions to paper again, and I'm sure other readers will feel exactly the same way. Mr. Mair, thank you for the opportunity to review your work. I look forward to seeing more from you in the future!
October 1, 2020
“I learned to never bundle up so tightly as to impede my ability to pay attention to what’s going on around me.”
This was a coming of age story about a boy who lost the Christmas spirit because of tragedy, and then found it by opening himself up to his community. He found love and friendship by giving love and being a friend. He also learns the importance of work ethic through his paper route while making genuine friends as an added bonus.
Andrew Mair writes a beautiful tale of how the human spirit needs God, family, and community in order to find peace. This is a must read anytime but especially around the holiday season!
This was a coming of age story about a boy who lost the Christmas spirit because of tragedy, and then found it by opening himself up to his community. He found love and friendship by giving love and being a friend. He also learns the importance of work ethic through his paper route while making genuine friends as an added bonus.
Andrew Mair writes a beautiful tale of how the human spirit needs God, family, and community in order to find peace. This is a must read anytime but especially around the holiday season!
January 2, 2021
This is a great Christmas coming-of-age story about a young boy who gets his first job as a paperboy. Without his parents around during the holidays, and still dealing with loss, he feels like he's lost the joy of the season. Through his new job, and explorations into some journals that detail his grandmother's family history, he ends up finding both a sense of community and belonging.
January 11, 2021
sweet uplifting story
December 6, 2023
Cute Christmas book with wonderful premise that could have been a masterful story.
October 18, 2020
This story is about a 14 year old boy, Daniel Morgan, who lives in Texas with his parents, who loves to celebrate Christmas. And one day his life changed. He lost his mother on 26 December, a day after Christmas, who is suffering from "Glioblastoma." And after the tragedy, he lost his Christmas spirit.
Engaging with the loss of his mother and his father being perpetually. He finds that through assistance, the weight gets lighter and that there is a great deal to be picked up from and a ton to recognise in more prepared people.
After the demise of his mother, Daniel moves from Texas to Utah to live with his grandmother and step-granddad while his father seeks after an occupation out of state. Energized by his dad, Daniel hesitantly begins his first employment as a paperboy. Forlorn and lost in a new climate and with the special seasons drawing closer, Daniel discovers solace and expectation in the sound of nearby church ringers. Through his grandparents and the resigned families living on his paper course, Daniel learns important exercises about obligation and family.
Andrew J Mair composes an excellent story of how the human soul needs God, family, and network so as to discover harmony. It is great how the author integrated everything and love all the beautiful subtleties - and in the nick of time for Christmas. This is an unquestionable requirement perused whenever yet particularly around the Christmas season.
It is an extraordinary perused and would suggest it for any individual who should encounter the delight and aftereffects of helping ones neighbour. This book was composed wonderfully and truly pulls at the heart strings. I completely delighted in this book and I'm eager to impart to loved ones and would prescribe to anybody.
Engaging with the loss of his mother and his father being perpetually. He finds that through assistance, the weight gets lighter and that there is a great deal to be picked up from and a ton to recognise in more prepared people.
After the demise of his mother, Daniel moves from Texas to Utah to live with his grandmother and step-granddad while his father seeks after an occupation out of state. Energized by his dad, Daniel hesitantly begins his first employment as a paperboy. Forlorn and lost in a new climate and with the special seasons drawing closer, Daniel discovers solace and expectation in the sound of nearby church ringers. Through his grandparents and the resigned families living on his paper course, Daniel learns important exercises about obligation and family.
Andrew J Mair composes an excellent story of how the human soul needs God, family, and network so as to discover harmony. It is great how the author integrated everything and love all the beautiful subtleties - and in the nick of time for Christmas. This is an unquestionable requirement perused whenever yet particularly around the Christmas season.
It is an extraordinary perused and would suggest it for any individual who should encounter the delight and aftereffects of helping ones neighbour. This book was composed wonderfully and truly pulls at the heart strings. I completely delighted in this book and I'm eager to impart to loved ones and would prescribe to anybody.
October 29, 2020
Great book to get in the holiday Spirit! Reading it was good for my soul...especially during this unsettled time of the Covid. It was nice to picture all the people who came into the “paperboy’s” life ..and helped him through a most difficult time in his life. I wondered if my boys..when young..ever had similar relationships with their customers on their paper routes.
I liked everything about the book and I am recommending it to my bookclub for our December reading. I am anxious to hear their reactions.
I liked everything about the book and I am recommending it to my bookclub for our December reading. I am anxious to hear their reactions.
January 1, 2021
A wonderful coming of age/dealing with grief story.
December 23, 2020
Round Rock Writers' Guild member and friend, Andrew Mair has written a Christmas book with brilliant story framing, poignant grief, and holiday warmth --making it very timely whether it's in your hands or under a loved one's tree.
December 28, 2020
Christmas spirit!
This is not a deep, complex book. It is a pleasant read and fills you with the simplicity of discovering the measure of others and how they play into our lives. During this pandemic, it was a uplifting book bring people to life through the eye of a paperboy navigating through his losses and finding “old” friends. Loved this book.
This is not a deep, complex book. It is a pleasant read and fills you with the simplicity of discovering the measure of others and how they play into our lives. During this pandemic, it was a uplifting book bring people to life through the eye of a paperboy navigating through his losses and finding “old” friends. Loved this book.
November 11, 2020
I loved this book! Just listen for the bells!
This was a Goodreads Giveaway win.
This was a Goodreads Giveaway win.
September 29, 2021
Wonderful!
This is a book that you will want to read every Christmas season. It gives the reader a lesson on what the season is really all about. The innocence of the main character and the support of the others will warm your heart.
ENJOY!!!
This is a book that you will want to read every Christmas season. It gives the reader a lesson on what the season is really all about. The innocence of the main character and the support of the others will warm your heart.
ENJOY!!!
December 5, 2022
a great find
I always start reading stories with a Christmas theme on December 1. This one was a great find. Love how the author allows us into the main character’s thoughts and we hear his growth through a hard time.
I always start reading stories with a Christmas theme on December 1. This one was a great find. Love how the author allows us into the main character’s thoughts and we hear his growth through a hard time.
December 12, 2022
A good Christmas reading
This is a nice book to read and remember the true meanings of friends, different ways we are family and how to celebrate Christmas and it’s memories
This is a nice book to read and remember the true meanings of friends, different ways we are family and how to celebrate Christmas and it’s memories
December 1, 2023
Tales of a Paperboy: A Christmas Story by Andrew J. Mair
At the impressionable young age of 14, Daniel Morgan lost his mother to cancer, and his father moved them from Texas to Utah, where Daniel lived with his grandmother and step-grandfather. To Daniel, this was like twisting the knife in the wound. He missed his mother terribly; now, he had to leave his friends and his school and move to a strange place to live with his grandmother and a guy he’d never met. His dad was taking a job in Minneapolis so he could make money to support them. And his dad made him take a job delivering newspapers, which he hated. Daniel was miserable! He did the paper route because he “had to,” and he was sloppy. Customers were always complaining.
Despite all these things that make him miserable, there was one surprising thing that brought him pleasure – his grandmother gave him a journal. To Daniel’s amazement, he liked writing his thoughts, observations, and feelings. Before he knew it, he was paying attention to sights, sounds, and people around him. He didn't make friends at school, but little by little, he began making friends in unexpected ways – many of the older, retired folks on his paper route began reaching out to him, and he found himself reaching out to them.
This is a delightful tale that encompasses the spirit of Christmas and the lessons of Scripture, which Daniel learned for the first time. He matured in relationships and in his ability to appreciate the gifts of music, hard work, and responsibility. He came to appreciate his grandmother and "Papa Mike" and some very special neighborhood friends. He found out that when it comes to friends, age doesn't always matter.
5 stars
At the impressionable young age of 14, Daniel Morgan lost his mother to cancer, and his father moved them from Texas to Utah, where Daniel lived with his grandmother and step-grandfather. To Daniel, this was like twisting the knife in the wound. He missed his mother terribly; now, he had to leave his friends and his school and move to a strange place to live with his grandmother and a guy he’d never met. His dad was taking a job in Minneapolis so he could make money to support them. And his dad made him take a job delivering newspapers, which he hated. Daniel was miserable! He did the paper route because he “had to,” and he was sloppy. Customers were always complaining.
Despite all these things that make him miserable, there was one surprising thing that brought him pleasure – his grandmother gave him a journal. To Daniel’s amazement, he liked writing his thoughts, observations, and feelings. Before he knew it, he was paying attention to sights, sounds, and people around him. He didn't make friends at school, but little by little, he began making friends in unexpected ways – many of the older, retired folks on his paper route began reaching out to him, and he found himself reaching out to them.
This is a delightful tale that encompasses the spirit of Christmas and the lessons of Scripture, which Daniel learned for the first time. He matured in relationships and in his ability to appreciate the gifts of music, hard work, and responsibility. He came to appreciate his grandmother and "Papa Mike" and some very special neighborhood friends. He found out that when it comes to friends, age doesn't always matter.
5 stars
Read
December 11, 2020I love this book! It sends me back to my own paper route days growing up and my college days in Ogden. This author nails Utah snow and the elderly neighbors everyone must have. I think I know who Mrs Duncan is 😉. I wish I had been as mature as the main character and learned to serve the grumpy old man that complained if his paper wasn't delivered by 4:30 every day. You have a lot of wisdom to share Andy J. Mair. This story has everything I want in Christmas story; decorations, neighbors serving neighbors, God, and lots and lots of music!
November 3, 2024
This is a heartwarming book about a young boy’s struggle with Christmas. After his mother died and his dad has to work out of town, he spends time with his grandparents in Utah. He has a paper route where he makes friends with his customers and his grandmother introduces him to journaling. It is a story full of growing faith and friendship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2023
Real life Christmas
This story takes a look into a real life Christmas tale. Life isn't always a Hallmark movie, but our heart might lead us to a wonderful life ending.
Easy read
This story takes a look into a real life Christmas tale. Life isn't always a Hallmark movie, but our heart might lead us to a wonderful life ending.
Easy read
November 13, 2024
Beautiful Christmas tale
I read this book in one afternoon. This slim novel transported me back to Christmases with my parents, then with my own children. I learned things about Christmas I hadn’t known. An enjoyable story that brought tears to my eyes a few times.
I read this book in one afternoon. This slim novel transported me back to Christmases with my parents, then with my own children. I learned things about Christmas I hadn’t known. An enjoyable story that brought tears to my eyes a few times.
December 4, 2024
Sweet Spiritual Tears
This is one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I am in a book club and we decided that each person would choose and read a Christmas Story. This was my choice. I can’t wait to share.
This is one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I am in a book club and we decided that each person would choose and read a Christmas Story. This was my choice. I can’t wait to share.
November 6, 2021
Lovely read
This is a lovely story that has loads of thoughtful life tips that spare presented in a most satisfying manner.
This is a lovely story that has loads of thoughtful life tips that spare presented in a most satisfying manner.
November 19, 2022
A great Christmas story
A heartwarming story of love, faith and healing. A great read for the Christmas season for people of all ages. Good for book club groups too.
A heartwarming story of love, faith and healing. A great read for the Christmas season for people of all ages. Good for book club groups too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews