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Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film
Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film | Jean Shepherd
107 posts | 32 read | 17 to read
A beloved, bestselling classic of humorous and nostalgic Americana--the book that inspired the equally classic Yuletide film and the live musical on Fox. The holiday film A Christmas Story, first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky, and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family's typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. This edition of A Christmas Story gathers together in one hilarious volume the gems of autobiographical humor that Jean Shepherd drew upon to create this enduring film. Here is young Ralphie Parker's shocking discovery that his decoder ring is really a device to promote Ovaltine; his mother and father's pitched battle over the fate of a lascivious leg lamp; the unleashed and unnerving savagery of Ralphie's duel in the show with the odious bullies Scut Farkas and Grover Dill; and, most crucially, Ralphie's unstoppable campaign to get Santa--or anyone else--to give him a Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle. Who cares that the whole adult world is telling him, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid"? The pieces that comprise A Christmas Story, previously published in the larger collections In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories, coalesce in a magical fashion to become an irresistible piece of Americana, quite the equal of the film in its ability to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.
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bthegood
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#5JoysFriday - thanks for creating this @DebinHawaii

#TLT #ThreeListThursday - thanks for the tag @dabbe
1. A Christmas Carol- read and watch every version made!
2. A Christmas Story - read and watch any chance I can!
3. Charlie Brown Christmas - not read but watch every year, more than once.

Make a great day everyone🍂

AnnCrystal 🧁💝💝💝💝💝...🍿🎬💝. (edited) 1mo
Sace I celebrate Hanukkah but I can‘t resist Charlie Brown Christmas (and its soundtrack)! 😊 1mo
dabbe YW! 😘 1mo
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JudeCC I already watched The Peanuts Movie this week. 🙌😃 I love them!! 😄 1mo
bthegood @WJCintron @AnnCrystal @Sace @dabbe 🙂 💖 ☃️ (edited) 1mo
DebinHawaii Glad you joined us! 🤗 These are wonderful joys-full of family, caring & support! 💛💛💛 1mo
40 likes7 comments
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Amiable
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Every year I watch this movie and I think about seeing it in the theater in 1983 with my friends Marty and Kathy. And I remember how Marty said, “That was the worst movie I‘ve ever seen. I‘m so glad I never have to see it ever again.” And I laugh and laugh. 😄

Merry Christmas and be sure to drink your Ovaltine!

AlaMich 😂😂 12mo
MaureenMc My 12 year-old watched this movie for the first time this year. She loved it! 😁 12mo
mom2bugnbee My husband is watching it right now - it's his absolute favorite. I used to not like it, but I must admit that it's grown on me in 28 years. ☺ 12mo
CarolynM My favourite Christmas movie. I watched it again this year. I saw it in the cinema with my parents when I was a teenager. It was a bonus extra after another movie (Splash! I think) We laughed until we cried, and were most surprised by how many people left the cinema before the end. There‘s no accounting for taste, I guess🤣 12mo
Amiable @CarolynM Right? That‘s why it makes me laugh —to think that Marty is reminded every single year that he was so wrong about a movie that is now a beloved holiday classic! 😀 12mo
51 likes5 comments
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AshRaye
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Mehso-so

I found the book to be wildly entertaining. The narrator did a good job with it, but some of the sound effects got in the way.

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OriginalCyn620
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Over the past couple of days, I‘ve watched A Christmas Story, Elf (on the big screen!), 3 episodes of Frasier, and one Bob‘s Burgers.

#wintergames #holidaymovie #candycanecrushers

Catsandbooks So fun!! ✨ 12mo
22 likes1 comment
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KaylasReadingNook
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Pickpick

This is my favorite Christmas movie and one of my favorite books. It‘s my second read through and boy am I happy I read it again. When I was younger I was dissatisfied with the story but as I read it this time I realized the magic was beyond Christmas and not all neighbors are perfect. It‘s going to become a tradition to read this yearly and watch the movie 😁

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BookwormAHN
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Here is the points breakdown for #WinterGames #GhostsOfXmas I will need your point totals for the first half by the 19th and your final total by Jan. 3rd. And feel free to tag me in your posts. I love to see how everyone is doing.
Here is the link to the main file with all kinds of bingo board goodies in it https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-26swMkbuvxBAsd05ihAyiDGiCho997L

26 likes2 comments
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MrsV
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Presents all wrapped, cookies all baked, and menu for Christmas all planned out. Sitting down enjoying Christmas movies with the family, and making Gingerbread Houses. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Happy Holidays for all!

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IamIamIam
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We watched A Christmas Story Christmas last night, which I highly recommend! It was a great love letter to the first film & we all enjoyed it! I brought this out to show the kids, which is 4 essays from In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash that were adapted for the screenplay to A Christmas Story. 🎄😁

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Basically Christmas movie royalty!

Thought of you @CarolynM !! 🎄

CarolynM I‘ve never seen Elf, but now I know that I will have to watch it! 2y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @CarolynM, 💯!! 2022 could be the year you watch Elf!? He‘s also in Four Holidays according to IMDb. 2y
49 likes2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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The tagged book is one of the very few books I‘ve read from Indiana. I look forward to to everyone‘s recommendations because I definitely need to beef up on my Indiana reading.

I‘ve been to Indiana twice. Once to Indianapolis where we took a hot air balloon ride, and once to visit the highest point in the state. We‘ve also visited the Sand Dunes on Lake Michigan (I think?) #RoadTripUSA2022

megnews This is funny. I never knew A Christmas Story is set in Indiana even though I watched it many times as a kid. I must‘ve forgotten and assumed it was here in Ohio since the house it was filmed in is here in Cleveland. How interesting! 3y
Bookwormjillk @megnews same! My husband‘s aunt lives near the house, so I was so confused when the book took place in Indiana! 3y
41 likes2 comments
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aperfectmjk
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Jess_Franzino
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I spent most of December redoing my living room and decorating, resulting in most (if not all my books this month), being audio books. Also, side note, that‘s the “A Christmas Story Musical” on my tv. It‘s an absolute favorite in my house.

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melissajayne
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You‘ll shoot your eye out, kid #mistletoemsniacs #wintergames2021

CarolynM 3y
14 likes1 comment
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FantasyChick
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AmyK1
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Tonight‘s Christmas movie.

6pts for #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames2021

@Clwojick

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AmyK1
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Pickpick
34 likes1 stack add
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OriginalCyn620
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Watched this classic tonight!
#mistletoemaniacs #wintergames2021 6 pts

Susanita It‘s a major award! 3y
Clwojick Lmao! 3y
Bklover Fra geee lay !!! 3y
46 likes3 comments
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Moonprismpower
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Got my leg lamp and my tree up today! I‘m so excited!
#litsylove
Also got Christmas cards, when is everyone planning to send out holiday cards to Litsy penpals??

JackOBotts Oooh! It‘s Italian! Fra-gee-lay! 💜💜 3y
Soubhiville I‘m currently writing replies in holiday cards. 🙂 3y
slategreyskies I just got my holiday cards in the mail today, so I‘ll probably be starting either this weekend or the beginning of this coming week. :) 3y
MemoirsForMe Your tree is beautiful! I‘ve got my cards, so I hope to start this week. 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I think I‘m done!! 🙌🏻 3y
39 likes5 comments
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Susanita
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If you‘re ever in Cleveland, take a couple hours to visit the Christmas Story house. Later you can use your ticket stub as a #holiday bookmark. “It‘s a major award.” #fortheloveofbookmarks

Lreads My dad would have loved this! 3y
Smartypants Cleveland is always a good idea! #hometowngirl. So many great things to do in Cleveland. Thank you for sharing! 3y
Lynnsoprano OMG! My favorite holiday movie ! My dad, my daughter, and I would watch it every year. I still do, in his memory. 3y
CarolynM Adding to my travel bucket list🙂 3y
37 likes4 comments
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Skygoddess1
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Presents are unwrapped, brunch is over, and am enjoying my annual tradition of watching A Christmas Story on TBS during their 24 hour marathon. #WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +6 pts

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Nerdfins
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Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 Be careful not to shoot your eye out. 🔫 #Christmas #merrychristmas #santa

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FlowerFairy
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Bruce Wayne would like to wish everyone a very Meowy Christmas!

Susanita He doesn‘t look pleased! 😼 4y
FlowerFairy @Susanita Poor Bruce always looks like he‘s not quite sure what‘s going on. LoL 4y
Jas16 I love that picture so much! 4y
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AlaMich 😹😹😹 4y
Deblovestoread Adorable! Merry Christmas 🎄 4y
Gissy Whaaat?😱 He looks gorgeous! So handsome 😻🎄💚❤️💚❤️💚❤️ 4y
Bookzombie I love this pic! Merry Christmas! 🎄 4y
CarolynM Merry Christmas 🎄 4y
80 likes8 comments
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aperfectmjk
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Finally getting to watch A Christmas Story albeit in a room full of people and chatter. 🤷‍♀️

#WinterGames2020 #readnosedreindeer @StayCurious

CocoReads We watched it tonight too 4y
AkashaVampie I am 35 yrs old and I have never seen this movie. Haha 4y
aperfectmjk @AkashaVampie 😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯 4y
AkashaVampie @aperfectmjk im not a big movie person when it comes to xmas. I do have a couple i like but dont watch often becuz i can only watch them in Dec. We just watched Frozen 2 tonight for the first time. 4y
26 likes4 comments
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Mitch
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I‘ve not seen or read this.... might need to add it to the Christmas movie list!

https://www.lareviewofbooks.org/article/betrayal-jean-shepherd-and-a-christmas-s...

AlaMich This movie absolutely must be added to your list!! It is a Christmas classic! There is a TV channel that shows it on a 24 hour loop for a day at this time of year. (edited) 4y
Deblovestoread This is one of those movies that people either love or hate. Most of my family is on the negative side but I get a kick out of it. This post made me put it on. Merry Christmas! 4y
Mitch @AlaMich @Kdgordon88 It‘ll be our Christmas Eve treat! 🎅🏽 4y
mom2bugnbee @Kdgordon88 is correct - I think it depends on how the nostalgia hits you. It's my husband's favorite Christmas movie b/c the dad reminds him so much of his late father. You definitely should watch it & see what you think, @Mitch ! 4y
MamaGina It‘s my favorite Christmas movie. I love the nostalgia. I love the relationship between Ralph and his mother. ❄️ 4y
39 likes5 comments
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AmyK1
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melissajayne
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You‘ll shot your eye out. #wintergames2020 #readnosedreindeer

Points: 5 + 20 + 1 = 26

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aperfectmjk
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Pickpick
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Oh fudge. I haven't read this yet. 😆 You're making such great progress! 4y
TheSpineView 👍❤🎁 4y
StayCurious Did you add the extra points because it was adapted? I think it's an extra 5 points:) 4y
aperfectmjk @StayCurious... oh no... I did not. I just posted my update. Do you want me to add it to Week 2 numbers, or just put it on Week 3's numbers? 4y
29 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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OriginalCyn620
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Watched this classic last night. The leg lamp is my favorite part! Got another bingo too!
#wintergames2020 #merryreaders 5+1+20=26pts

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Moonprismpower
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“Fra-geeee-lay, must be Italian”. I got my leg lamp up! All set for Christmas!

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Love it! ❤️ I‘ve never seen one so tiny, it‘s adorable! 😍 4y
Moonprismpower @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm it‘s one of my most favorite Christmas decorations 😂😍 4y
wanderinglynn Super cute! ❤️ 4y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego 😆👌🏼💚 4y
CarolynM It's a major award! 😂 I want one too. 4y
33 likes5 comments
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Charityann
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Pickpick

Listened to this one on audio! A bit different than the movie, but still interesting. #littenslisten #merryreaders #wintergames @Clwojick

Clwojick ♥️♥️ 4y
46 likes1 comment
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Jadams89
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Pickpick

Another audiobook down for #WinterGames2020. I wasn‘t sure what to expect with this one. I think I still like the movie more. +176 #MerryReaders #FestiveFlicksBingo #Averymerrybingo #cosyathon #littenlisten #Crushtherush #readyourway #Tistheseasonathon

TheSpineView Awesome! 👍🤩🎄📚 4y
Traci1 I had no idea this was a book. It's my husband's favorite holiday movie. 4y
aperfectmjk Wow, you're just flying through them. My job is too demanding. I'm super stressed. I just want to enjoy this readathon but I have a feeling it's going to be hard this time around. 😫 4y
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Jadams89 @aperfectmjk they‘ve been short ones so far - and I listen at 2x speed. I hope you get to enjoy some reading! 4y
aperfectmjk @Jadams1776 I usually listen at 1.5 hoping to get some time in tonight. 4y
Clwojick Way to go! This ones on my list too, since it‘s nice and short. 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I haven't read the book, but the movie is so charming. It really feels like I'm not in the modern world sometimes. 4y
39 likes7 comments
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jb72
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#Two4Tuesday

1. Yes it does for sure
2. I don‘t normally decorate. I don‘t have a tree anymore.

TheSpineView Thanks for playing and Happy Thanksgiving! 4y
Sharpeipup We got rid of our tree then somehow got another one🤣 4y
21 likes2 comments
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Andrea313
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Andrea313 @TK-421 5y
13 likes1 comment
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MoonWitch94
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Each year I light my leg lamp in my bedroom window. It is 💯 a #majorsward & my neighbors love it. #WinterGames #JingleBallers #SharedHolidayTradition #leglamp #christmasstory

Curiouser_and_curiouser Oh gosh, for quite a while there I sincerely thought your lamp was lit on FIRE!!!! So by 'light your leg lamp' you mean with a light globe, not a lighter! Phew! Awesome lamp! So cool your neighbors appreciate it too 😎 5y
MoonWitch94 @Curiouser_and_curiouser it DOES look like fire 🔥!! We live on a dead end, so it‘s nice that my neighbors enjoy it, otherwise no one else would. ♥️ 5y
16 likes2 comments
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Jess_Franzino
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Pickpick

Two days into #24b42020 and only NOW have I actually gotten some reading time, hence why I‘m only one hour into the #readathon & it took me three whole days to get through this 133 page book 😂 Absolutely love this. A collection of the stories of Jean Shepherd that were complied together to create the script for “A Christmas Story”. It is just as poignant and charming as would be expected from a legend such as Jean Shepherd. ❤️

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Skygoddess1
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Pickpick

For years I have spent Christmas Day watching TBS‘s 24 hours of A Christmas Story. This year I finally read the book, in addition to my annual viewing. I don‘t know why it took me so long to read this book, it was so much fun reading the stories that inspired the classic film. I especially loved learning more about the next door neighbors. #WinterGames #TheFilthyAnimals #TBRRead #HolidayRead

8 likes1 comment
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Jess_Franzino
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FINALLY able to find some time over the holidays to sit down and actually read the amazing stories of Jean Shepherd that inspired the beloved movie. Just HAD to share this illustration of the leg lamp next to the mini leg lamp my dad has (been visiting his house).

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Charityann
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Watched this classic yesterday and forgot to post about it.... #wintergames #tmskellington #holidaymovies @Crimson613 @Clwojick @StayCurious

coffees 6pts!! 12-26 5y
25 likes1 comment
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Wellreadhead
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Pickpick
Daisey Merry Christmas! 🎄 5y
75 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MoonWitch94
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I love this movie. I grew up with it, I have directed the play and I own the leg lamp light. It is for sure a classic. And this week I FINALLY read the story it is based on! #AChristmasStory #WinterGames #JingleBallers #ImpulseRead #HolidayRead #BooktoMovieAdaptation

Scochrane26 Have you been to Cleveland to the house? It‘s fun. 5y
MoonWitch94 No! But it is on my bucket list. 5y
FantasyChick I have never read the story! I really should do that some year. 26pts 5y
FantasyChick Sorry....31pts 5y
18 likes4 comments
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rabbitprincess
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The living room at my parents' place is the unofficial reading room. Our plush Rudolph decided he wanted to join the reading fun 😂

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Chili
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#WinterGames #MerryReaders #HolidayRead I think this is my new favorite holiday read.

Clwojick 26 points #booktomovie 5y
14 likes1 comment
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LeahBergen
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BookNAround Did you know the book was originally called In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash? I have a copy from before it was renamed. 5y
CarolynM I love the film but I've never read the book. I really need to! 5y
LeahBergen @BookNAround I didn‘t know that. Cool! 5y
LeahBergen @CarolynM I‘m in the same boat. This book was a gift from a friend. ☺️ 5y
59 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Susanita
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My sister and I went to the “Enchant” light maze at Nationals Park on Black Friday. The objective was to find all of Santa‘s #reindeer and reveal a message on a card. When we passed the same reindeer for the third time, she said, “I hope the message doesn‘t tell us to drink more Ovaltine.” #hollyjollyreading

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤣🤣🤣 beautiful!!!! 5y
OriginalCyn620 😂 that is beautiful! 5y
28 likes2 comments
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AmyK1
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Tonight‘s family #holidaymovie. It‘s based on parts of 2 books and is a family #hoildaytradition 31pts 😁 🔫 #merryreaders #wintergames @Clwojick @StayCurious

Clwojick woohoo! based on two books? I think that makes this 36 pt. 5y
12 likes1 comment
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Chili
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#WinterGames #MerryReaders This was actually the first time I have watched this movie. It was cute. Gotta love the leg lamp. 🤣 #holidaymovie

Clwojick 6 pt 5y
20 likes1 comment
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bibliobliss
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• December 8th ❄️ ❄️ of the #WinterGames
CHRISTMAS BOOK TITLE GENERATOR 🎄📚 •

My Christmas Book Title is: Where Silver Bells Would Glisten

#happyholidays #games #TeamFestivus

EliNeedsMoreShelves That's lovely! 5y
wanderinglynn That is lovely! ❤️⛄️ 5y
24 likes4 comments
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overtheedge
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Bingo #GypsyKat
#wintergames #ReadNosedReindeer @Clwojick @StayCurious
I have not watched polar Express, yet.....its next!

StayCurious Yay a bingo! +21 5y
21 likes1 comment
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overtheedge
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Movie
A Christmas Story. 1983. TBS on demand.
All Ralohie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder air rifle.....and for everyone to quit bullying him.
Based on stories by Jean Shepard
#wintergames #ReadNosedReindeer @Clwojick @StayCurious #GypsyKat #booktomovie

CarolynM Forget about Christmas. One of my favourite movies of any kind❤️ 5y
StayCurious Great! +11 5y
34 likes2 comments