Jason F. Wright

Recommended: YES!

This was a glorious used-bookstore-find, and a rare book that I will probably read multiple times. It gives me the warm fuzzies, but avoids the cliches and cringing that often also accompany the warm fuzzies.

The adult children of this family suddenly lose their parents and all come together in their hometown to handle it, when they find a basement full of THOUSANDS of letters that their father wrote to their mother, weekly, without fail, for their entire marriage. Including the last one, which he wrote immediately after his wife died in his arms and before he takes his own life / dies of heartbreak. Reading through the letters reveals some intensities of their parent's marriages they had never known, and deeply rattles all the kids as their images of their parents - and themselves - changes forever.

Also, the "Epilogue" and its presentation KILLS ME with how adorable it is!!!! All I'll say: read to THE VERY END OF THE BOOK.… (mais)

The Maxwell's own a furniture repair shop. Hope Jensen sees the opportunity as a reporter to move up. She lies to the Maxwell's when she tells them she is a college student writing a story and wants to interview them. The Maxwell's are a very welcoming family and each time she visits she becomes more attached to them. They share family stories and eventually tell her of the Christmas jars. Each year members of the family put spare change and sometimes bills in the jar. During the Christmas season they present it to someone who is in need, Hope realizes at one time she was the anonymous recipient of a jar. After many months of visiting the Maxwell family, she feels guilty about her untruths and avoids the family. As time passes, she learns some awful news of the Maxwell family is compelled to visit them again, apologizing for the lie.… (mais)