Christmas, Present Audiobook, by Jacquelyn Mitchard Play Audiobook Sample

Christmas, Present Audiobook

Christmas, Present Audiobook, by Jacquelyn Mitchard Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jacquelyn Mitchard Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: November 2003 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780060736088

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

12:58 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:38 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

08:04 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

16

Other Audiobooks Written by Jacquelyn Mitchard: > View All...

Publisher Description

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean comes this heartwarming Christmas story of a family who comes together during the holiday season as they learn a powerful lesson about love and to live each year of their lives as if it were their last.

A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year—like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date—two days before Christmas—turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last.

In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a woman calmly gathers her family around her during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together—both past and future—and to truly count their blessings.

A family history unfolds in a single night in this deeply affecting story that speaks volumes about love, trust, and letting go—a perfect holiday read that underscores the true meaning of the season.

“Mitchard’s gift is her ability to present her characters in a compassionate light, even when revealing them at their weakest moments.”—Us Weekly

Download and start listening now!

"An incredibly sad tale of a woman with a young family who finds out on Christmas Eve that she has just hours to live. Very moving and thought-provoking, but not for the faint-hearted."

— Tracy (4 out of 5 stars)

Christmas, Present Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 2.46511627906977 out of 52.46511627906977 out of 52.46511627906977 out of 52.46511627906977 out of 52.46511627906977 out of 5 (2.47)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 12
1 Stars: 12
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Lame, just lame. Neither story nor characters rang true. This blather must have been published because shes an established and popular author, this book was not publish worthy on it's own merits. "

    — Amy, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " What an awful excuse for a Christmas book. Implausible, sappy, and decidedly unholiday in tone. Skip it!! "

    — Margaret, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This one was a surprise. I liked AND didnt like it. It has stuck in my mind on so many levels. "

    — Carolyn, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The last days of a wife/Momther with Cancer "

    — Sharon, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not a book I should have read after the 15months I have had with my husband so not a particular fair view.If you like books about people getting ill and the aftermath then I suppose it is not a bad read. "

    — Pauline, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good book, but very depressing - not a typical author's light holiday fare. "

    — Georgia, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a good book that tells the story of a family who's mom suddenly only has hours to live because of a brain hemorrhage. This story gives the unique perspective of what it would feel like to be dieing and what you would think and what you would want to do and say to your family and friends and what you would know you would be missing in the future you wouldn't be a part of. It is a sad story, but ends hopeful. "

    — Angie, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Sooo incredibly sad but wonderful. "

    — Kristen, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " a terribly sad story.The last few days of a mother and wife . There is no other alternative to her story but death. She put ll her things in order and leave this life terribly well . Too sad for me "

    — Catherine, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I want my two hours back. "

    — Star, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think this is my least favorite Mitchard book so far, though it isn "

    — Corinne, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This was a tough one! Not your typical lighthearded Christmas story that i prefer to read during the holidays. It was predictable knowing what the outcome was going to be. "

    — Cecile, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is so sad. I hope to never experience this. "

    — Heather, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " heartwarming tale, sad but good to read at the holidays. "

    — Meg, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not a fan at all. Luckily it's just a short little read. I'll leave it at that. "

    — Charlene, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " What a quick read! Barely worth the effort, since I really didn't like the main character, even though she's dying! "

    — Ruth, 11/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It is a tiny book and soo sad. It will make you weep. I really need to read something happy "

    — Gaurett, 10/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I want to like Jacquelyn Michard, but nothing is impressive. I've read 3 of her books now. She's from Madison, and my mother-in-law really likes her. This was kind of like a Lifetime movie...a quick little book. "

    — Emily, 8/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I skimmed the last 30 pages just to get over with it. "

    — Shiloh, 7/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It was just what I was looking for! I wanted a wonderful Christmas story and although it is sad, it was somehow uplifting and made me appreciate everything I have. "

    — Cara, 4/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I listened to the audiobook version which was read by the author. Her mid-western accent was distracting and she should learn how to pronounce the names of the Massachusetts cities she writes about. The story was alright but a little too sappy for my taste. "

    — chambejd, 3/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is a poignant reminder of the brevity and preciousness of life. "

    — Mary, 3/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Listened to the audiobook. The author's voice is irritating and whiny. The story does not ring true and the ending is annoyingly predictable. "

    — Mikie, 2/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " so depressing - don't know about you but I really don't like to read such depressing stuff - we have enough to deal with in real life - better than suffering though - she went fast. Christmas - not something I would recommend for this occasion "

    — Janet, 10/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Light isn't the word for this book. It was almost non-existent. The characters were flat and one-dimensional and nothing in it rang true to me. Contrived and shallow - a complete waste of my time. "

    — Roberta, 3/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Quick, slightly depressing read with too quick a conclusion. I felt the main character, Laura, was too perfect and unrealistic in her condition. "

    — Kate, 1/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " This was a disappointing audiobook. The reader's voice was annoying, the plot was depressing and tedius; the elements seemed to be much too loosely joined. The characters were cardboard, and their actions not realistic. "

    — Joan, 1/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I liked this a lot, but it's the kind of book that one would either love or hate. "

    — Kmshort, 11/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Thought this would go into my Christmas Collection of books but it really was not much about Christmas and it was rather sad. It is about a mother who is dying and gets everything in order including presents for Christmas. It has an OK ending. Fast read. "

    — Pam, 8/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Nice bit o' fluff --- most impressively read by the author herself. It's one of those If-I-Had-Only-Twelve-Hours-to-Live (short) books. Excellent for driving in the rain on winding roads. "

    — Beth, 2/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Como é que um livro tão pequeno pode conter tanto amor, tantas emoções, uma sensibilidade tão grande? Um livro que marca qualquer vida! ( Um Natal que Não Esquecemos ) "

    — Babete, 2/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is a poignant reminder of the brevity and preciousness of life. "

    — Mary, 1/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " This isn't horrible, it's just not worth reading. "

    — Angie, 12/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Quick, slightly depressing read with too quick a conclusion. I felt the main character, Laura, was too perfect and unrealistic in her condition. "

    — Kate, 12/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I want to like Jacquelyn Michard, but nothing is impressive. I've read 3 of her books now. She's from Madison, and my mother-in-law really likes her. This was kind of like a Lifetime movie...a quick little book. "

    — Emily, 11/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Beautifully written but depressing, unrealistic, and pointless. If there's a take-away message here I didn't see it! "

    — JanB, 11/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " a terribly sad story.The last few days of a mother and wife . There is no other alternative to her story but death. She put ll her things in order and leave this life terribly well . Too sad for me "

    — Catherine, 11/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Depressing. Certainly not what a holiday story should be like. "

    — Karen, 10/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " great story, but depressing. "

    — Isabel, 1/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It was just what I was looking for! I wanted a wonderful Christmas story and although it is sad, it was somehow uplifting and made me appreciate everything I have. "

    — Cara, 1/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It is a tiny book and soo sad. It will make you weep. I really need to read something happy "

    — Gaurett, 11/23/2009
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not a fan at all. Luckily it's just a short little read. I'll leave it at that. "

    — Charlene, 11/22/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " What a quick read! Barely worth the effort, since I really didn't like the main character, even though she's dying! "

    — Ruth, 11/5/2009

About Jacquelyn Mitchard

Jacquelyn Mitchard’s first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, launched Oprah’s Book Club and became an international bestseller, hitting #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Her other works, including The Most Wanted, Twelve Times Blessed, The Breakdown Lane, and Cage of Stars have also been well received. Mitchard has appeared on the Today show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, MSNBC, and numerous other local and national television and radio programs. She was a contributing editor for Parenting magazine and wrote a weekly syndicated column until 2007 which appeared in more than one hundred newspapers across the country. Her articles have appeared in Newsweek, Life, Reader’s Digest, TV Guide, Ladies’ Home Journal, and many other publications. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and nine children.