We don't know about you, but we're looking forward to doing some holiday reading this Christmas! Here's a sneak peek at what's on our book list.
There’s something about reading Christmas books during the holidays that just feels so right. Settling down with a cuppa and an awesome read is our idea of holiday heaven, especially after wearing out our feet doing all that Christmas shopping. It’s the most wonderful time of the year after all, and a great Christmas book definitely helps us get into the holiday spirit. So without further ado, these are our fave Christmas books to read this festive season. Ho, ho, ho!
Christmas books for a heartwarming holiday read
1. Build Your Own Christmas Movie Romance by Riane Konc
Love Actually, The Holiday, Serendipity, Bridget Jones’s Diary… what do these movies have in common? They’re all cheesy Christmassy romance movies we all secretly love to cry and squeal over. And if you’ve always wanted your very own Mark Darcy, here’s your chance: Riane Konc’s Build Your Own Christmas Movie Romance! The book follows Chrissy, a businesswoman forced to return to her hometown of Candy Cane Falls. It’s up to you to decide what happens to her – will she run away with her Uber driver or fall back in love with her high school boyfriend? It’s up to you to decide!
2. One Day in December by Josie Silver
One day in December, Laurie sees a boy on a bus. They make eye contact, and it’s love at first sight for her. She spends the next year looking for him, and finally, she sees him at Christmas… only to find out he’s dating her best friend – eek! This book gives us all the holiday feels and then some.
3. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by various authors, edited by Stephanie Perkins
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of anything Christmas- and romance-related, and reading a book that’s got both definitely has us doing happy dances. This is such a cute book, featuring 12 of the best YA authors – we’re talking Jenny Han, Gayle Forman, Stephanie Perkins and even David Levithan – all coming together to bring us sentimental stories that remind us why we love the holidays. Pass the tissues, please!
4. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It’s the perfect time of year for a Dickens classic. On Christmas Eve, the uber-grumpy, stingy and plain old mean Ebeneezer Scrooge (altogether: “Bah, humbug!”) gets a visit from three spirits to “gently” remind him what the holiday is all about. Whether you’ve read it before or want to share the story with your wee ones, its an easy-peasy way to get the lowdown on the true meaning of Christmas. Just in case you forgot.
5. The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories edited by Tara Moore
Although ghosts and Christmas don’t really sound like they go together (apart from the ones in A Christmas Carol), this anthology of ghost stories from the 19th-century ticks all our boxes. During the Victorian era, newspapers and magazines used to print ghost stories during the Christmas season to be read around the fireside or candlelight, and these stories are just some of the best from that time. Can’t say we don’t appreciate the wonders of modern technology, especially lighting!
6. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
It’s Christmas Eve, and the much-reviled Simeon Lee has invited his family over for dinner. However, dinner is interrupted by a blood-curdling scream – Simeon has been murdered, his throat slashed. This isn’t the merriest of Christmas holiday reads, but if you like your baked ham with a side of crazy murder, then you’ll love this book.
7. In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but not for Maelyn Jones. The worst part? She has to say bye to her childhood Christmas home in Utah. In a final plea to the universe, Maelyn asks for something good to happen — only to hear tires screech and everything going black. But when she wakes up, she’s caught in a strange time loop. Will she finally get the Christmas of her dreams?
8. The Bad Mother’s Christmas by Suzy K Quinn
This is Juliette’s first Christmas as a single mother and she isn’t happy. But on the bright side, she has a new boyfriend while her ex has a girlfriend. The thing is, her ex keeps saying he wants to get back with her. Ugh!
9. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Is Christmas the season for finding romance? We reckon so, and this book is an uplifting holiday read from start to finish. Kate Turner’s best friend decided to sign her up with a dating agency that promises singles they’ll find love in time for the holidays… except the dates turn out otherwise! Will Kate find the one to kiss under the mistletoe?
10. Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
If you’re familiar with the Shopaholic, then you’d want to catch with Rebecca Bloom’s adventures during the festive season. Christmas has always been the same for Becky and her family until this year: her parents move to Shoreditch and have asked her to host this year. What could possibly go wrong, right? Well, almost everything! Will chaos reign? Or can Rebecca bring comfort and joy this Yuletide?
11. The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
Twins as kids love to swap places. But what happens when they do it as adults? Charlie Goodwin lost her sense of smell and taste after an accident. Her identical twin Cass has a lot on her plate too. The sisters agree to trade lives. This sounds like a recipe for disaster… or maybe not…
12. Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay
While we’re off celebrating, let’s also take the time to appreciate the healthcare workers who are working tirelessly, particularly during this pandemic. Author Adam Kay shares the hilarious – and sometimes heartbreaking – Xmas cases he encountered while as a junior doctor. This may not be a completely heartwarming read, but it’s entertaining till the last page.
13. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
You’ve probably watched the Netflix adaptation (or not), but the source material is almost always better to us. Lily loves Christmas. Dash hates it… until one day, when he chances upon Lily’s notebook and is tasked with the first challenge. He accepts the dare, and thus begins the back-and-forth and love blossoms. But will it change Dash’s mind about the festive season? Or will he still remain a grinch? Read this frothy book – if you dare.
14. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Here’s a classic that you should read during Christmas. Based on the author’s early life, Little Women details four sisters’ devotion to each other and their struggles to survive the Civil War. There are many lessons to be learned from reading this.
We hope you love these festive season books as much we do… Happy holidays!
