import json


def read_json(path):
    """
    Read items from a .json file, returning python objects. This is
    the pair of the "write_json" method.

    # Parameters

    path - pathlib.Path
        - the path to the file to write the date to

    # Note

    The deserialized objects may need further processing

    """

    # the path isn't set or doesn't exist...
    if path is None or not path.exists():
        return None

    with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
        return json.loads(f.read())