The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

My latest read is actually a latest listen. I listened to this in my car. This is actually my third (I think) “read” of Cecelia Ahern. I like her. She’s an easy read with mostly likable characters and usually a “surprise” at the end.

The Gift features Lou Suffern, an egotistical, philandering asshole whose only care in the world is his career and getting as far as he can in his company, regardless of whom he screws (literally and figuratively). On a morning, close to Christmas, he does something completely against his norm: He buys a cup of coffee for a homeless man (Gabe) camped outside his office building. Feeling good from this deed, he then sets Gabe up for a job in the mailroom. Soon, however, he begins to regret his charitable act when Gabe starts meddling in Lou’s life. Gabe seems to have a better handle on his own life than Lou and he seems to know Lou better than he knows himself. What follows is a struggle in Lou’s own mind on whether to continue as he has been or turning his life around to be a better man.

I did like this book. I hated Lou (mostly) but that was the point. The book itself was meant to have a “Christmas Carol” type theme to it with a mystical twist. Definitely an easy, holiday, slightly mindless read worthy of a solid three stars.