Title: The Christmas Train Author: David Baldacci type of book: Fiction call number: Fic

This book is strong in character, story and setting.

Summary:
Tom Langdon, A former globe-trotting journalist, now turned ladies' magazine journalist, takes a cross-country train trip during the Christmas season because a judge has banned him from all air travel for 2 years as a result of a "temper tantrum" during a much too personal search of his luggage and person! Tom's destination is LA to see a NOT so wonderful girlfriend. On board, he meets an array of "unique" characters to be in the book he's decided to write about the trip.

Tom also meets Eleanor again, his former globe-trotting jounalist-partner, now writing for movies, who was his only true love. He wants to "connect" again, but she wants nothing to do with him.

The story has it all: love, humor, pranks, joy, catastrophe, heroics, mystery, and surprises! The rotund and irritating, Agnes Joe, and train employee, Roxanne, with the "rockin'" voice and generous heart, are memorable.

I would recommend this book!

Why?
This is a nice little Christmas book, following the current practice of several major authors who have departed from their usual style to give their readers a light, quick and enjoyable, "Christmas read." In addition, the book also makes one yearn to take a long-distance train trip before passenger trains become a thing of the past, due to loss of funding. The author has done his research on this aspect and incorporates it into the story.