Christmas Lights: A Novel

by Christine Pisera Naman

In her previous work, Christine Pisera Naman has become well-known for sharing the small but inspiring lessons she has learned from the real-life struggles and triumphs of average people. Christmas Lights, Naman’s first work of fiction, evokes that same warmth and tenderness in stories set during the holiday season and centered on the lives of ordinary women.

In separate vignettes, we meet Katherine, who is taking care of her ailing husband; Julianna, juggling with construction paper, scissors, and rubber cement in a room full of high-spirited four-year-olds; Adrianna, struggling with the difficulties of marriage; Cassandra, the busy mother of toddlers; Victoria, searching for a love to call her own; Alexandra, a young woman waiting for word from her doctor about an uncertain diagnosis; and Isabella, discovering the gift of motherhood. The lives of all the women come together in a moving conclusion that perfectly captures the heart and soul of the holiday spirit.

Alternately laugh-out-loud funny and poignant, Christmas Lights celebrates the most significant aspects of the season. Small, beautifully designed, and full of festive cheer, it is the ideal gift for anyone longing to rediscover the magic of Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Audiobook, Holiday, Humor, Family, Short Stories

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Bestselling author Christine Pisera Naman is a wife to a beautiful man named Peter and a mother to three fantastic kids named Jason, Natalie and Trevor. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, which she does poorly; painting, again poorly; and volunteering at her local hospital, which she hopes she does well. She is the author of the Faces of Hope series of books that are now housed in the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Her other works include Caterpillar Kisses, Christmas Lights, The Novena and The Believers. About Natalie is her heart poured onto paper

Reviews

[Aimee M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a feel good Christmas book!! When I first started reading this I wondered how the seven women knew each other. I thought that they were a group of women from a church club. The surprise is at the end of the book, of how these seven women know it each other.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart felt story of how each family member embrases the true meaning of Christmas.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Lights is seemingly a book of short stories depicting a sweet holiday story. There is the story of Katherine, who has been married for 50 years. Her husband has Alzheimer's and although she visits everyday. He does not always know her. Julianna is a teenager who has her first crush on Jason. Cassandra has a wonderful family but is dealing with extreme loss. Adrianna is a newly married, but is in the midst a rough spot with her husband. Victoria develops new relationships because of a nativity set. Alexandra is dealing with illness and looking for help from the spirit of her grandmother. Isabella is starting an exciting new chapter of her life that begins a trip to the airport. The last chapter was my favorite of all the stories...a gift of close and loving family...Christmas Lights.

[Amaranta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Como libro entero no me gustó, sentí el último cuento de terror. La mamá me pareció como una mujer super demandona y las hijas muy necesitadas obviamente de aprobación materna. Se entiende que el libro sea religioso pues es sobre navidad, pero creo que llevaron al límite el "deber ser" religioso. Cada mujer hace lo que hace porque "ya es hora" "ya tiene 40" "ya tiene que casarse" incluso la menor dice "ya por fin le gusto a alguien" y eso está horrible. AAAAAHHHHOOOOORAAAAAAAAAA como cuentos individuales que leí por separado me gustaron, acá va la puntuación:

katherine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

julianna ⭐⭐⭐ // me gustó leer una historia de amor adolescente luego de una de viejitos

adrianna ⭐⭐

cassandra WHAT // al principio no entendí y creí que cassandra tenía secuestrado a un niño jajajajajaja pero con el cuento final le entendí y yo creo que le doy ⭐⭐

victoria ⭐⭐⭐⭐ // estaba pensando que este libro es demasiado heterosexual hasta que llegué a este cuento y dije NOOOOOO, ESTÁ PASANDO? pero luego la autoria me dijo que por supuesto que no y terminó siendo una historia hetera, pero yo creo que Victoria tenía más química con la primera mujer que con el vatito. COMOSEA, estuvo muy bonita la historia y quiero adaptarla al teatro

alexandra ⭐⭐⭐⭐ // me gusta que no sea sobre una pareja hetera, pero creo que está lleno de clichés y no de los buenos

isabella ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Laura Martínez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Holy Crap.

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose the perfect time of year to read Christine Pisera Naman's heartwarming book, Christmas Lights. Full of Christmas spirit and joy, Christmas Lights helped me remember the true meaning of Christmas, which does not include a million presents under the tree. Christmas Lights is a very quick read, at only 120 pages and will leave you immersed in holiday spirit when done.



Christmas Lights begins on Christmas Eve and is at first written from the point of view of Katherine, an older woman visiting her husband in a nursing home. Each subsequent chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of Katherine and Joseph's daughters. It is evident that Katherine and Joseph instilled Christian values into their children as each turns to God for guidance and assistance in the midst of their struggles.



Julianna is the youngest daughter at 16 and is struggling to get the boy of her dreams to notice her, while her sister Adrianna finds herself at a crossroads in her marriage. Cassandra is working to push through a tremendous grief as Victoria has decided she is finally ready to find 'the one,' but has she waited too long? Finally, with her health in question, Alexandra is waiting for a sign from her dearly departed grandmother that everything will be OK, while Isabella turns a new and exciting page in her life. Katherine and her six daughters come together at the end of the novel to remind readers what is important in life and what the true meaning of Christmas entails.



Christine Pisera Naman did a great job having her characters embrace the magical feeling of the Christmas holiday while thanking God for what they had, and believing that He would provide what was still needed. I definitely recommend Christmas Lights to those looking for a fast and yet warm holiday read with a happy ending.

I received a complimentary copy of 'Christmas Lights' for the purpose of review.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this heartwarming holiday novella, you will meet seven amazing woman all struggling in their own way to deal with something in their personal life. There is a chapter about each of these women and in the end it is pulled together beautifully. I enjoyed getting to know each of these women and came to care for them quickly. I most enjoyed Victoria's chapter and found myself laughing out loud a few times. If you are in the mood to be reminded what Christmas is really about, pick up this 4.5 star gem!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire story unfolds on Christmas Eve, and contains accounts from six daughters and their mother, as they prepare to come together for their annual traditional gathering. In each separate vignette, the reader is afforded a glimpse into a window of their lives. As we are called to be the light of the world, our family and friends light up ours too, as told in this book.

[Becca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply awful.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed each individual story.

But then you find out how they are intertwined and I have questions.

6 sisters 6 years apart means even if mom was 18 she’d be 48 for the last one. So that timeline doesn’t really work out.

And then there’s the line about she concentrated on each child for the first 6 years of their lives, then as they went off to school, she started concentrating on the next one.
Like
That sounds horrible for each child. They only get a mom’s attention for the first 6 years? Ugh. No

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book Christmas Lights. It’s based off the Christian Faith with lots of biblical references. The only downside for me at times was the mom’s stance on marriage. I did feel some resentment I think towards the mom because it seemed like her daughters were not complete without a man. However, the characters were relatable and the story had several happy endings and sweet moments. It is a great light read if you ever need a break from life or intense reads.

[Joice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was sweet and cute and very holiday-ish. Each chapter followed a woman’s journey on Christmas Eve. We don’t learn that they’re all sisters and their mother until later in the book. Each sister is going through it, and at the end, on the last chapter, they go to their mom’s house to celebrate with her. It was difficult to remember each woman’s chapter but the end brought it all back. Again, sweet and holiday friendly.

[Englandjennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last chapter is what makes the book. If I hadn't struggled through a few of the stories I really think I would have rated it much higher as I liked how the last chapter made the book. It was fun to read and got me more in the Christmas spirit. I loved how I could read a chapter here or there during breaks.

[Summer Lukasiewicz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love a positive message and surprise connections between characters, but the writing here has pushed past the boundaries of unbelievability. Groan- and eyeroll-worthy in many places, this book could be greatly improved upon by Hallmark's staff writers who could potentially move it to a place of groaning-but-with-a-smile.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

AnVery clever Christmas book which I enjoyed immensely. every chapter is a snapshot a woman’s life, we are pulled into Christmas Eve day.
their stories are written with sensitivity and humor, and bits of life’s realities. It’s an uplifting God centered book that reveals how these faith upheld them as they navigated challenges in their life.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple collection of feel-good, Christian-centered stories of 7 different women and the struggles in their lives. This was a quick read that was a nice, uplifting Christmas experience - a little palate cleanser between heavier reads.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of vignettes each about a woman’s life in the days leading up to Christmas. The final chapter reveals how the isolated stories are actually intertwined. An easy listen while preparing for Christmas.

[Michelle Tarby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick holiday read. I thought what each person was experiencing was relatable and authentic. I did like how it was tied together at the end.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a quaint book - I did not suspect the last chapter at all! I am impressed by this local (to me) author!

[Brigitte · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has a certain charm but sentimentality prevails over sentiment.

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book. A series of vignettes that all tie together in the end.

[Kris Kizer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's as if the religious channel and Hallmark holiday movies got together and wrote a book. It was okay, but if it wasn't right before the holidays I wouldn't have cared for it at all.

[Margaret Gerberding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several short Christmas stories that all tie together in the last story!

[Kristine Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful read.

[London Bowers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit wholesome but mostly boring to be honest.

[Selene Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best, most inspiring, deeply edifying and beautiful Christmas books I have ever read. What a treasure!

[Charmaine Layman]

short but sweet. Our book club picks a short christmas story to read for December. This one so short it only took me about an hour

[Linda Renfroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was sweet

[Julia]

Not my typical read but a festive read

[Casee Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the holidays we all become susceptible to the vexation that comes with the rush of the season. From the pressure of finding the perfect gift to the anxiety over gaining unwanted weight, countless nagging irritations try to work their way into our lives. But the season, when experienced with true and devoted holiday spirit, can be a magical time, and once in a while all we need is a friendly reminder to count our blessings. Christine Pisera Naman’s debut novel, Christmas Lights, serves as just that sort of reminder to step back and enjoy the blessings of the holidays. Through eight vignettes the novel tells the stories of seven different women and how their personal struggles lead to triumphs with the help of a little holiday spirit. Katherine faces the mortality of life as she visits her aging husband; Julianna experiences the heart throbs of teenage love; Adrianna discovers her inner-strength against the fragility of her marriage; Cassandra overcomes her greatest heartbreak; Victoria finds love in the most unexpected of places; Alexandra comes to understand that the ones who love us never really leave us; and Isabella finds her soul mate through the miracle of motherhood. These spirited women come together in the book’s final story, illuminating the reader’s belief in hope, love, Christmas, and the power of God.

With each story Christmas Lights brings to life an instantly familiar woman whose struggle is one that the reader will feel a significant passion for. Through every story I shared in each woman’s emotional journey; together they explore the timeless territories of love, loss, happiness, grief, and peace through simple lessons that reach out from their daily lives to change their attitudes and renew their faith. In such a way, Christmas Lights also offered me a warm and friendly reminder of how the holiday season can offer a special look at the beauty of the lives we’re given. It allowed me to take a break from the many distractions of the holidays to blissfully steal away to a place of reflection, laughter and, in some moments, sorrow. The women in the book – from the wise and aging Katherine to the spirited young Julianna – each offer a unique insight into how the way we live our lives during Christmas can impact our perspective and heal our souls. It’s a relevant lesson told with simple charm and uplifting beauty by the author’s gentle, encouraging narrative.

I was enchanted with the novel and its many stories before being delighted further by the way the author weaves together the many threads of the book in its final pages. The cleverness of the ending struck me several times over and revealed truly creative layers behind what on the service appears as a simple holiday read. The result was deeply touching and heartwarming; a wonderful way to begin the holiday season. Christmas Lights is proof that a quiet afternoon spent reading can, through stories of family, inspiration, and God’s grace, ultimately change a reader’s perspective or reinvigorate their thriving holiday spirit.

(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on December 3, 2012 at LiteraryInklings.com. I received a copy of the book for the purpose of review.)