The holiday season is the perfect time to curl up with a warm blanket, a steaming mug of cocoa, and a heartwarming or suspenseful book. Whether you’re a fan of Christmas romance books, classic holiday tales, or mysteries with a festive twist, there’s something magical about reading during the holiday season. Here’s a curated list of the best Christmas books to add to your December to-be-read list—perfect for embracing the Christmas vibes and setting the tone for a cozy holiday. So here is your cozy winter reading list with the best christ Christmas Books to read during the holidays.
1. Christmas Romance Books
If you adore snow-covered love stories and sweet holiday magic, these Christmas romance novels will bring joy to your winter reading. Filled with cozy moments, these books are perfect for book lovers seeking comfort and love during the holiday season. Here are our favorite heartwarming love stories for the holiday season.
One Day in December by Josie Silver (2018)
This beautifully written love story begins with a magical moment on a snowy December day when Laurie locks eyes with a stranger through a fogged-up bus window. Over ten years, fate intertwines their lives in unexpected ways.
Summary: Through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic . . . and then her bus drives away. She never sees him again until they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend, Sarah, giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus.
At Home With You This Christmas by Marie Landry (2024)
Marie Landry’s cozy romance is the perfect read for anyone who craves a feel-good story with all the trappings of a festive holiday.
Summary: Hazel Morris is dreading the holidays this year since it is it her first Christmas since her beloved mother died and since she ended her relationship with the best man she’s ever known. On the other hand, her ex Mason Reynolds hasn’t told his family that the love of his life broke up with him six months ago. Yet, Hazel ends up spending Christmas with Mason and his parents. Can these two exes embrace an unexpected Christmas together and let the magic of the holiday season heal their battered hearts?
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver (2023)
Set in the iconic winter wonderland of New York City, this enchanting story captures the romance of snowy nights, festive markets, and the dazzling lights of the holiday season. It’s the perfect book for readers looking to escape to a dreamy, wintry New York filled with holiday charm.
Summary: A young chef stumbles on a secret family gelato recipe that might lead her to the love—and life—she’s been looking for.
This Christmas by Emma Heatherington (2023)
A brand-new release, This Christmas by Emma Heatherington, is the ultimate holiday romance for readers looking for an emotional journey set against a snowy backdrop.
Summary : Rose used to love Christmas – until the year everything changed. She hasn’t been home to visit her family for the holidays since. In search of comfort and seclusion, Rose escapes to a cottage in rural Donegal to hunker down for the festive season alone. Charlie is facing his first Christmas alone. But when he opens the door to Seaview Cottage, the two strangers realise that their holiday rental has been double-booked.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren (2020)
If you’re looking for a romantic comedy with a festive twist, In a Holidaze offers the perfect blend of humor, holiday cheer, and swoon-worthy romance.
Summary: When Maelyn Jones gets stuck in a time loop, reliving the same Christmas vacation over and over, she has to figure out how to break the cycle—and maybe find true love along the way.
When the Fake Snow Falls by Heather Garvin (2024)
With suspense lurking behind every page, this spicy fake dating holiday romcom offers a unique twist on Christmas. Chase asks Candace to go on a fake date for his company’s Christmas party to keep his insufferable boss from cornering him under the mistletoe, again. Now, Candace has to find a way to make it through practice dates, subtle touches, and fake kisses unscathed without falling for Chase who is not interested in her.
2. Classic Christmas Novels
These classic Christmas books are essential reading for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the timeless magic of the holiday season. They offer lessons of kindness, generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas, making them perfect for readers of all ages. Here are our favorite timeless holiday tales:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
No Christmas reading list is complete without Charles Dickens’ iconic tale of redemption. It’s a must-read classic for every holiday season. A Christmas Carol follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss (1957)
This beloved children’s book is a whimsical, rhyming story that captures the essence of the holiday spirit. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! follows the Grinch, who learns that Christmas is about more than just presents and decorations—it’s about love and togetherness. With its timeless message and playful illustrations, it’s the perfect book to read aloud during the holidays, bringing joy to both children and adults.
The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories by Jessica Harrison
This is a collection of the most magical, moving, chilling and surprising Christmas stories from around the world, taking us from frozen Nordic woods to glittering Paris, a New York speakeasy to an English country house, bustling Lagos to midnight mass in Rio, and even outer space.
Here are classic tales from writers including Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, Saki and Chekhov, Italo Calvino’s , Wolfdietrich Schnurre, Selma Lagerlof, Irène Nemerovsky…
Christmas With the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (2024)
A charming blend of historical fiction and festive cheer, this book imagines Queen Elizabeth II’s private holiday celebrations. It’s a delightful and cozy read for those who enjoy a touch of British elegance, history, and Christmas spirit. The book evokes warm, nostalgic holiday feelings, making it a perfect addition to any holiday reading list.
New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor has joined with Heather Webb to create this unforgettably romantic novel of the Great War.
August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris. But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…
3. Christmas Thrillers and Mysteries
For readers who prefer suspense to sweetness, these Christmas thrillers offer the perfect mix of mystery and holiday magic. They’re perfect for curling up on a chilly winter night with a cup of cocoa.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie (2021)
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is a classic holiday mystery that combines family drama, murder, and the brilliance of Hercule Poirot. Set in an English country house during a family Christmas gathering, this locked-room mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s a must-read for fans of Christie’s detective stories and those who love a touch of holiday suspense.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (2024)
This festive thriller offers twists and turns set against the backdrop of Christmas cheer. A heart-melting rivals-to-lovers romance where Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt have to work together to find the most famous mystery writer in the world who just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.
A brilliant thriller that will give you chills this Christmas. DI Tom Stonem is dreaming of a quiet Christmas alone. But in the shadow of the Angel of the North, a body lies waiting. The dead man is posed with a child’s Christmas list in his pocket, and the first mysterious item – 1. No angel – is crossed off. When a second body is found – a woman, stabbed in the abdomen– Stonem is convinced there’s a grim connection between the crime scenes and the seemingly innocent list 2. Red partee dress. Could this be a murderer’s twisted code? As a blizzard rages in the Tyne & Wear countryside, the body count is snowballing. Can Stonem stop the killer before they get everyone on their Christmas list?
Whether you’re craving a sweet Christmas romance, a classic holiday tale, or a thrilling holiday mystery, these books will transport you to magical snowy landscapes and festive celebrations. Add these titles to your December reading list and immerse yourself in the warmth and wonder of the season. Cozy up by the fire, turn on the holiday lights, and let the magic of these Christmas books fill your heart with joy.
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