A collection of short essays by various (mainly British) atheists. It's highly eclectic, ranging from the humorously silly to the earnestly serious. Many of these pieces are specifically Christmas-themed, featuring personal anecdotes, or how-to holiday tips, or musings on what Christmas actually means for those who don't believe in Christ. Others deal with science or philosophy or atheist activism, touching on Christmas only tangentially, if at all. They're all very short, and the overall the collection feels pretty lightweight. I did find it pleasant, though, if only because reading it at this time of year gives me a happy, warm, you-are-not-alone feeling, along with a reassuring sense that, why, yes, it is okay to be an atheist at Christmastime, and it doesn't mean you're a dirty hypocrite if you happen to enjoy carols and eggnog.

And the profits for this book go to an AIDS-related charity in the UK, so I can even feel good about myself for buying it, as opposed to feeling guilty for adding yet another volume to the To-Read Pile. ( )