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O Little Town

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Christmas, 1958: Elvis is on the radio, Ike is in the White House, the Lord is in his holy temple . but there is no peace in Mt. Jefferson. In a small town where everybody seems to know everybody, there are still a few secrets. Three families find they are connected in ways they never an angry teen, a dying man, a lonely wife, a daughter in trouble . just ordinary people, muddling their way through ordinary challenges. Illness. Marriage. Bad decisions. Friendship. Faith. Forgiveness. Spanning three generations, O Little Town is a tender tale of love and redemption . and a lonely gravesite where roses mysteriously appear every Christmas. It will touch your heart.

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

235 people are currently reading
1695 people want to read

About the author

Don Reid

40 books30 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Don Reid, a member of the legendary Statler Brothers, has three Grammy awards, thirteen gold albums, and eight platinum albums. An award-winning songwriter, Reid is also the author of several books, including One Lane Bridge and O Little Town. He and his wife, Deborah, live in Staunton, Virginia.

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5 stars
609 (24%)
4 stars
862 (35%)
3 stars
722 (29%)
2 stars
199 (8%)
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46 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
Profile Image for Jeanette (Ms. Feisty).
2,179 reviews2,162 followers
December 24, 2011
Early impressions:
Beaver Cleaver's Christmas in Virginia, with a little teen delinquency and coveting thy neighbor's wife thrown in to spice things up. Everybody's just so golly-gee wow decent, including the sinners.

Final impressions:
Peyton Place for prudes. Like eating candy floss on an empty stomach -- sweet but not very satisfying.

The best thing about the book was that it made me wonder why the author's musical group was called The Statler Brothers when none of the members was named Statler. Turns out they chose the name from a brand of tissues in their hotel room. Just think, if they'd chosen the soap instead of the tissues, The Statler Brothers might have been called Cameo Bouquet.
Profile Image for Sally906.
1,442 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2014
O LITTLE TOWN is a wonderful feel good Christmas story, and I am not sure why it has taken me a few Christmas seasons to get around to reading it. But so glad I have now. There is a little bit of everything in the story, murder, drama and love.

Most of the story takes place around the events that occur during the few days prior to Christmas Day 1958 with one back story that links us back to the early 1900s. O LITTLE TOWN opens with Reverend Franklin’s 15-year-old daughter Millie caught shoplifting at Macalbee’s Five and Dime. Milton is the storekeeper and a close friend of Millie’s mother Dove who is very unhappy with her life as a pastor’s wife. The local police officer, Bobbie Briggs, is called in to deal with the situation but he has problems of his own. Buddy’s 16-year-old daughter announces she is pregnant and is going to marry Louis Sterrett the father of her child who is the nephew of Milton’s wife. Once the connections have been set up the story continues to follow the three families as they deal with the secrets that are gradually being uncovered. Weaving in and out of the main story is that of Walter Selman. Walter is an elderly man, grandfather of Louis, and something happened in his life when he was the same age as his grandson which kept me riveted as I wanted to understand why this event was so important to him now.

I found the plot very easy to relate to – every family has their issues and these seem to get worse at Christmas when relatives that have successfully been avoided all turn up at various family functions and start to press the right buttons! Every person has someone who they can confide in – and the friendships between different characters were portrayed so well. The writing was easy to read and very smooth as the story transitioned between the various characters and into the past – at no time did the story become confusing or the flow become choppy. In fact reading O LITTLE TOWN was just like a big gossip session – as if the narrator had said to you ‘Have you heard the latest about Doris and Colleen?’ and ‘My goodness what about that Dove!’ The setting was believable, as too were the characters and the story followed not only how they got to be in the situation they were in, but what they were doing about it, and where they are going to go on from here if they can. There was one excellent scene where three of the characters are looking at the falling snow through the window of their various houses all listening to the same Christmas song on the radio (a revamped version of “White Christmas” sung by the Drifters) and reacting to the song differently – just brought the story alive for me.

Of course being a Christmas story all the problems are solved to a certain extent – then an epilogue tidies up the loose ends nicely. I loved the story and recommend it highly.

57 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2024
My friend Lisa recommended this book to me. It has several things that appeal to me, not the least is the size of the book. For some reason I am always attracted to books that are smaller than normal. I like the short chapters that keep me engaged. Most of all I love the feel good factor about this book. Always makes me long for the simpler times from
the past.
Profile Image for Resa.
279 reviews17 followers
June 19, 2012
I felt for each of the characters in this story, even if I didn’t agree with some of their life choices (like Dove’s not quite an affair-affair)I could still feel for them in their struggles. Everyone just seemed so human. No one was perfect, but no one was over the top “bad” or “evil” either. As far as plot goes there doesn’t seem to be much of one at first glance. It’s just a book about people dealing with everyday problems during the Christmas season. Yet, somehow, Reid makes this enjoyable. We all have our own personal family issues that seem to get even worse during the Christmas season (or those relatives who have the tendency to hit all the right nerves) so maybe it’s just knowing you’re not the only family with problems that makes this book so much fun to read.

The interspersing of the present day story with Walter’s memories of the Crown theater and what happened there when he was young (not to give anything away…) made the whole book seem to move along fairly quickly and managed to hold my interest. Reid also does a very good job of transitioning, not just between present and past, but also from one story to another, a task that is not always easy for writers to do seamlessly, but Reid does it in a way that the transitions are smooth and they come at times which make sense and keep stories from becoming choppy or confusing. His whole writing style makes the book flow smoothly from line to line, and left me fairly impressed considering I thought this was just going to be another decent, but not all that great, fluff novel for Christmas.

The book is an easy read and with the combination of the believable characters with Reid’s writing style makes it an effortless read. I was able to finish it in just a couple of days, and would have read it all in one sitting if other obligations had permitted it. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book, I didn’t expect to find it as enjoyable as I did. I strongly recommend this book for the Christmas season, but even if you aren’t able to read it for Christmas, it would make a good anytime read as well. A very enjoyable book.
Profile Image for Suzanne Williams.
Author 161 books94 followers
December 11, 2011
Reading this book was like participating in a gossip session. I was the observer being told, "Look what your neighbor has done." The characters truly seemed like average people you might pass by in any town in any neighborhood. Though it is short on plot, it's the first book I've read where the lack of plot didn't matter to me. The story was less about what was going to happen than what had happened to bring the characters to that place. I was completely fascinated by my view of each character's thoughts. Walter's story from his past was a great addition to the book. It kept me turning the page. I wanted to know why the story mattered so much to him. The author did a great job setting the scene for the town. I felt like I had been there at some point. Lastly, the author's use of repetition was a really effective way of making the point. In particular, I reference the scene where the same three teenagers are looking out at the same snowstorm. This book was a fun read, had a great Christian moral, and I really enjoyed it.

Profile Image for Pamelabyoung.
65 reviews
December 19, 2011
Sweet holiday read. Yes, the author is THAT Don Reid of the Statler Brothers. As an author, Reid has an authentic voice that weaves small town characters together in a tale that feels like truth to me. A story of forgiveness, family ties and generational connections, this is a simple, sweet and touching story for a winter afternoon read. The icing on my Christmas cake was that I got it as a free Kindle download. AND...I see that Mr. Reid has another book with the same setting coming out in January.
Profile Image for Erik Orrantia.
Author 12 books23 followers
September 13, 2014
I was ambivalent on this book. The writing was good and I liked the premise--a little town with its real-life complications, convoluted relationships, connections, and attachments. The writing is crisp. However, and partly because I read before I go to sleep and am tired, I oftentimes got confused. There are many characters and quick shifts from one scene to the next. I simply couldn't remember who was who and there weren't enough hints in the text to remind me. I usually figured that it would all come together, but that never totally happened.
38 reviews
March 2, 2021
This is the sweetest little book...I don’t even know why I picked it up at the library, but it was a wonderful read. Based on a foundation of forgiveness, it touches on all walks of life and every relationship, and shows how such a simple word can change everything.
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,210 reviews599 followers
December 29, 2020
O Little Town was a nice Christmas read. I enjoyed it and thought it was written well.
Profile Image for Diane.
37 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2022
This was a sweet little story of forgiveness. I like Reid's writing (and I'm pretty picky about writing). It's a simple story with a bit of mystery. It kept my interest and I may have shed a tear or two at the end.
Profile Image for Darlene.
167 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2020
I enjoyed this so much. Small town, mid-1950's, but it doesn't seem dated. Conflicts and entanglements abound, but it ties up nicely in the end, like any good Christmas story should.
Profile Image for CarrieLyn.
278 reviews
November 30, 2013
This is a very simple book, but very compelling and full of characters who are like people you might know or hear about in your own family or community. It is not great literature, but just a good story. That makes it easy to think about how you would react to each of the family crises that are presented in this story about several families in a little town: teenage pregnancy; grandparent confronting death; rebellious teenager; depressed/dependent wife; various degrees of marital weakness, etc. It was interesting to know that the real town on which Don Reid modeled the story was his own hometown of Staunton, VA.
Profile Image for Corina.
206 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2021
The writing was far above average. The writing style was one I love, in fact, it is very similar to my own writing style. The story, which is really the intertwining of several stories, while not spectacular, was wonderful. Perhaps it is because it is set during Christmas week. Perhaps it is because I read it a week before Christmas. Whatever it is, this small story about ordinary, every day people, is one I will return to each Christmas season.
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,399 reviews
November 24, 2012
At first this book made me feel like I was reading all the gossip on everybody in "small town" America. I did like the storyline more as I got into it. I really enjoyed the minister's Christmas Eve sermon at the end and how he reached out to each of the characters with a message that person thought was just for them.
Profile Image for Linda Bittle.
82 reviews
March 30, 2017
A Charming Christmas Story

I enjoyed this novel very much. The characters rang true and the parallel stories came to a satisfying conclusion. I appreciated how faith was central to the stories and that good people dealt with challenges in ways that felt both real and uplifting.
Profile Image for Dara S..
421 reviews42 followers
November 30, 2012
I would recommend this book. A sweet read about a small town in Virginia in the 1950's around Christmas. Written by a member of the Statler Brothers it has wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Doreena.
457 reviews
December 15, 2011
Interesting how all of these lives are intertwined. Great ending.
107 reviews
January 14, 2012
This was a sweet story, set in a small town in Virginia. The characters were interesting and the reader could easily relate to their challenges.
Profile Image for Cece Fontaine.
13 reviews
October 10, 2012
Loved this story of all the trials and tribulations of families and connections in a small town during winter 1958. Heart warming...Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Cindi.
13 reviews
December 12, 2016
I just finished reading this book, and it gave me a feeling of hope that I haven't felt a long time.
It's written by Don Reid, who is a member of the Statler Brothers singing group. It's labeled as "religious" but I never felt like it was preaching to me, but rather encouraging me instead.. not to be a Christian, but to be a compassionate human being. I try very hard to do that.

This book shows the inter-connectedness we have with other people; our families, our friends, our neighbors, even with people we've never met. Our lives are interwoven with one another and we are each more than just a name on a page.

It takes place in a time when people lived their faith, no matter what that faith was, and didn't demand that everyone agree with them and that religion was "my way or the highway". Their faith was strong and personal and didn't need to try to make others agree with them.

It's almost 60 years since this story takes place, and I find it sad that people are becoming more selfish, narrow minded and intolerant of differences instead of more enlightened.

This book showed that people can make mistakes and learn from them and thrive. It seems like these days, it's just the opposite. To make a mistake is wrong and to admit to making a mistake is a sign of failure. When in reality, mistakes are the best lesson we can ever have.

I loved how the book included multiple generations and time frames to show much each event affects the next. That the past matters. That memories matter.

I hope you will treat yourself to reading this book during the holidays.

"Christmas, 1958
In a small town where everybody seems to know everybody, there are still a few secrets. Three families find they are connected in ways they never suspected: an angry teen, a dying man, a lonely wife, a daughter in trouble . just ordinary people, muddling their way through ordinary challenges. Illness. Marriage. Bad decisions. Friendship. Faith. Forgiveness."
187 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2022
Being from a small town, I could really identify with this story where all the families are connected somehow and everyone knows everyone else. I have definitely known people like the snobby doctor's wife, the teenager who got pregnant before marriage, and the old flames who carried on an emotional affair. The situations were so realistic: I could definitely put myself in the character's shoes.

I especially enjoyed the grandfather's memories of the Christmas that he was 16 and how the town rallied around the wounded actress. The way the author tied this into the rest of the story was very sweet.

O Little Town was a good reminder that "every one you meet is going through something you know nothing about." It also showed the power of faith and forgiveness in a very realistic way without being preachy at all.

I seriously consider giving this book a 4 star rating. It's a solid 3.5 for sure. I think the length is what holds me back. It's almost a "novella." Definitely a nice afternoon read for lovers of Christian fiction.
Profile Image for Hope.
1,480 reviews152 followers
June 15, 2017
The opening paragraph about Elvis being on the radio, Ike in the White House and the Lord in his holy temple might give the impression that this is a light, fun read. It is, in fact, about a whole slew of people who are suffering.

I kept dreading the fact that as the characters approached Christmas day, their problems would all automatically solve themselves. Not that I didn't want them to be solved, I just didn't want this to be another cheesy Christian novel. And though the Christmas sermon on forgiveness went straight to the heart of every listener, it wasn't as silly as it could have been.

The back story of Walter and the dying actress was interesting, but not really necessary. In the interview with Don Reid at the back of the book, he says that the kernel of this part of the story came from true events. As he embellished them, Reid's story took on a life of its own and overshadowed the seed story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda.
262 reviews8 followers
December 27, 2020
2.5 Stars, rounded up. I was looking for a good Christmas story to read, and found this one that I've had in my TBR list for probably years now. I was also today years old when I realized that this story was written by one of the Statler Brothers. Wow!

Overall, this book was good and had good resolve, it just lost my attention a few times. The plot takes place in a small midwestern town in 1958 - when things were a lot simpler than they are today. The characters are developed well, and everyone is connected to one another in some form or fashion throughout the story line. There are two teenage lovers that find out their secret romance is now going to be announced since they are about to be parents. The Methodist Minister's wife is having a secret emotional affair with the town's grocery manager while her husband is cleaning up the mess their daughter started by shoplifting from the grocery store. The storyline does delve into family relationships and issues with marriages, lies, and personal problems, and the epilogue presents nice closure - as any decent Christmas story should.

I would recommend this book for a nice Christmas story, and for those that enjoy fiction books that cover family dynamics and secrets.
Profile Image for Karla Renee Goforth Abreu.
646 reviews8 followers
December 9, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, reading it during a bit of a stressful fall and winter holiday season. The writer simply has a folksy way with words and then adds a profound thought here and there during the telling of the story. One such statement is: "Forgiveness is first a private matter before you can pass it on." And, "Forgiveness is always possible if you have love."
One part of the story that seems unneeded, but to some may seem like the crux of it, is the murder from year's before. I think the story would have been just as mean gful if not more, without those characters and their story. The interesting story is what is happening during the current setting and the interrelationships in the town.
This book is a lovely Christmas read. There is nostalgia and sweetness in the pages. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Kim Goff.
127 reviews
December 26, 2017
I really wanted to give this one a 4 because I loved the multiple conflict and plot lines that wove all of the characters together. It kept me intrigued and I actually read the whole book in two sittings. I would have liked to get to know the characters a little more closely; another 100 pages or so to really get personal with them would do wonders. I felt like I was jut getting to k ow them when it was over. There were also a few typos that were distracting and just annoying. I did enjoy reading the book and considering there have been about 4 or 5 books this year I just couldn’t finish, that says a lot!
Profile Image for Jeannette Portscher.
16 reviews5 followers
December 29, 2020
Easy Flow

Each character was interesting and made me think of different people I’ve known over the years. Sometimes, when a book tells the story of multiple characters, it can feel disjointed or choppy. This book was not. It had such an easy flow. The storylines were layered well with each other. To me, the best and most important part of a book is: does it make me think? Does it make me contemplate an aspect of my own life? Does it “spur me on to good deeds” as the Bible says? This book does all that.
Profile Image for Lisa.
29 reviews
December 12, 2017
I rate Christmas books on a more lenient scale than other genres. I judge them by their feel not their literary value. That said, O Little Town hit the mark.

The book is well organized with a current and past story intertwined seamlessly. During the holidays it is easy to get wrapped up in the trappings of the season and forget to be joyful. O Little Town reminds us that we all are broken; But, God forgives and we should, too.
Profile Image for Elise.
31 reviews
December 14, 2018
I'd say maybe more like 2 1/2 stars, but, with that said, I did enjoy reading this book! It was a super quick read and I finished it on two short plane rides. The characters are all likeable and the story is interesting. I didn't really realize the things I didn't like about it until I started discussing it with coworkers. As i read in one other review, it is certainly not great literature...but a good enough story.
Kind of like a Hallmark movie in Chrismtas book form. ;-)
Profile Image for Diane.
256 reviews19 followers
December 16, 2021
Wonderful.

Storytelling at its finest. I was completely fascinated by the way this story was told. It made me want to watch "It's a Wonderful Life this Christmas" (I haven't watched it for many years). I grew up in a small town and it was like going back in time for me. Such a good feeling. My thanks to the author (and Clarence aka Henry Travers for the type of voice I imagined this story was told with)! Heartwarming and wonderful.
255 reviews
December 7, 2022
My rating could be verging on 4 stars. The books virtue lies in having characters that practically everyone can relate to. And for those of us born in the 1950s in a small town, the gossipy aspect rings true. As a nice Christmas story, it was a blessing to see that forgiveness was the key virtue espoused by all at the end. I think a deeper consideration of the book would bring forth names of people we know who fit the various characters' descriptions--including ourselves.
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