There’s nothing more cozy than snuggling up in your coziest blanket or cardigan and diving into a really good Christmas book. Maybe it’s the lights twinkling from the Christmas tree or the shadows dancing on the wall from the fireplace, maybe it’s the fact that it’s too cold to go outside, whatever it is, I always find myself reaching for a holiday themed story to get lost in during the month of December. And while there are hundreds of books out there to choose from I wanted to share some of my top Christmas books that will give you all the Christmas spirit.
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This list includes Christmas classics, middle grade/children’s picks, Hallmark-movie type romances, YA fantasy, and historical fiction books. So there’s something for practically everyone. Let’s jump in, shall we?
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
No one writes about Christmas quite like Charles Dickens can. I mean, A Christmas Carol is a classic for good reason. It’s about a grumpy, greedy, old man named Ebenezer Scrooge who’s visited by 3 ghosts on Christmas Eve – the ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future – to help him see the error of his greedy ways before it’s too late. I think this is a novella everyone should read at least once in their life because the story has a way of reminding you what Christmas is really about – love and sharing that love with others.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
You’ve probably seen the cartoon and the movie about a hundred times but have you ever read the book? The book was actually how I was introduced to the Grinch when I was a little kid. One of my elementary school teachers would read it to us in class and then we got to watch the cartoon in the library in the afternoons leading up to Christmas break. Those were good times. And while I love the movie adaptations, there’s just something special about reading the original story. You likely already know the story, but in case you don’t, this book is about the Grinch and how much he hates all things Christmas. As the holidays draw near he decides to stop Christmas from coming by stealing all of the decorations and food from the Christmas-loving citizens of Whoville. But in the process, he realizes that maybe Christmas doesn’t actually come from a store . . . maybe Christmas means a little bit more.
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Out of all of the books on this list, Greenglass House has some of the best descriptions of warmth and Christmas time. The story follows 12 year old Milo and his family who owns a smuggler’s inn – meaning all of the guests are smugglers of some kind (think thieves, pirates, etc). And while Milo is used to having unusual guests he begins to suspect that the newest guests staying at Greenglass House this Christmas may have sinister ulterior motives for him and his family. With help from Meddy, the cook’s daughter, Milo begins to investigate the mysterious guests and the mysteries Greenglass House holds, learning more about the place he calls home and his family in the process. This book is great if you’ve been looking for an entertaining mystery that will give you all the holiday vibes.
Rough & Rugged Lily by Nancy Rue
Growing up one of my favorite middle grade book series was the Lily series by Nancy Rue and this book – Book #9 – definitely left an impact on me because I can still remember the plot line really well. This book follows 12 year old Lily as she and her family get caught in a snow storm on the way to a cabin for Christmas. Stranded at a shelter for several hours, Lily meets an interesting cast of characters who teach her that Christmas isn’t about how much you can get but about how much you can give. This story is very touching and really brings out the true meaning of Christmas.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
If you ask me it’s just not Christmas without Harry Potter – especially the first book. Out of all of the Harry Potter books the first one just gives me all the holiday feels. Christmas at Hogwarts – what a dream come true. In case you don’t know this story follows 11 year old Harry Potter, an orphan who finds out he’s a wizard. With the help of lovable Hagrid, Harry is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets new friends and learns more about his parents’ mysterious death.
12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep
This novella is set in the winter of 1851 England. It follows a young woman named Clara Chapman who receives a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at a manor house in the English countryside. But here’s the catch – if she remains at the estate for 12 days she’s promised a sum of 500 pounds. Seems simple enough – that is until she realizes her ex-fiance, Benjamin, has also been invited to Bleakly Manor. Jilted by him at the altar, Clara can’t stand to be in his presence, even if it is Christmas. How can she forgive him? You’ll just have to read it and see. This book is perfect to read during the holidays because it’s short and it gives you a look into what Christmas was like in 1850s England.
The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall: A Standalone 1920s Christmas Mystery by Benedict Brown
This next book is set in 1925 England and if you like murder mysteries then you will love it. When eight strangers are stranded and trapped in a deserted manor thanks to a snow storm at Christmas time, they never imagine that there’s a murderer among them until the body count begins to rise. Lord Edington, a seasoned detective, opens an investigation and with the help of his bumbling grandson, he seeks to figure out who the killer is before the snow storm passes and the guests all leave. But can he crack the case in time? If you enjoyed reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None you will enjoy this one.
A Holiday by Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Mimi Matthews
When Sophie begins courting Edward Sharpe she has high-hopes for their relationship and for the security the match will bring for her family. But after two months of not really speaking or connecting, she decides to end things with him. In an attempt to keep the peace with her family, she invites Edward to spend Christmas with her and her family. Edward accepts, hoping to try to get really know Sophie and the closer they grow the more Sophie begins to realize that maybe she had Edward all wrong. This is a very sweet and entertaining love story – perfect to give you all the Christmas feels.
An Ivy Hill Christmas: A Tales from Ivy Hill Novella by Julie Klassen
I read this novella last Christmas and absolutely fell in love with the story and the characters. Based on Julie Klassen’s Ivy Hill series (see my post about the series here), this story follows Richard Brockwell, the son of Ivy Hill’s most prominent family, who must return home for Christmas when his mother threatens to cut him off financially if he doesn’t spend the holidays with his family. Out of options, he leaves his cushy bachelor life in London and heads for the English countryside. Once there he encounters Arabella Awdry – someone he did not remember being quite so enchanting – and his first love whom he scorned years ago. The longer Richard stays in Ivy Hill the more he begins to realize that maybe he’s been running from the wrong things and maybe, just maybe, he can finally open his heart again to someone new. I thoroughly enjoyed this little story and found myself missing the Ivy Hill when I finished it.
Unafraid by Francine Rivers
This little book is actually part of a 5-piece book set called The Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers. Jesus is the reason for the season and if you’ve been looking for a reminder of that look no further than this book. Unafraid is a fictionalized retelling of the Virgin Mary and her betrothed husband, Joseph. (For the real story go to the Bible, books of Luke and Matthew are great places to start). When the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she’s going to bear a Son, she has trouble understanding how – she’s never been with a man. Even so, Gabriel assures her that she will become pregnant and will give birth to the Messiah who will save His people from sin and death. Told from Mary’s point of view this book has a really fascinating take on the birth and childhood of Jesus Christ.
Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcraft
This next book will have you packing your bags and flying off to Scotland for Christmas – it’s that sweet and heartwarming. Set in a gorgeous little village in Scotland, the story follows 30 year old Belle who literally crashes into an elderly woman named Edina with her cherry red bike. Hoping to make it up to Edina (and to give her some much-needed Christmas cheer), Belle offers to decorate Edina’s house for Christmas. She gets the surprise of her life when she learns that Edina lives in a crumbling castle. Things get even more surprising when Edina’s long-lost great grandson, Jack, turns up on her doorstep in the middle of a snowstorm. At first, Belle and Jack don’t hit it off – he’s bossy and arrogant and rude – but the more they get to know each other the more Belle starts to see that maybe he isn’t as bad as he appears. This book is like a big, warm, festive hug in a book and with the Scottish countryside as a backdrop you know it’s going to be great.
Christmas Cakes and Kisses by Lara Van Hulzen
This next book was actually gifted to me by the assistant of the author and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I started reading it – I was hooked. This book is like a warm cup of tea – heartwarming and sugary sweet. It follows a baker named Eva who wants to win a Christmas cake competition in order to prove to her family and herself that she can make it on her own, but her plans begin to change the more time she spends with personal trainer Tyler. Can Eva and Tyler merge their dreams and futures in time for Christmas? You’ll have to read it to find out.
Whisper by C.K. Brooke
Kestrel is an artist at heart who’s searching for a place where she can belong. When mysterious lights beckon her into the woods she steps into an enchanted land of eternal spring called the Whisper Kingdom, only to meet a handsome prince who welcomes her and believes that she’s his bride. As Christmas draws near Kestrel continues to visit the Whisper Kingdom and slowly begins to see that maybe her wonderland isn’t as wondrous as she thought. Maybe there’s dangers lurking in the shadows and maybe Whisper Kingdom isn’t where she belongs at all. This is the kind of book that will capture your imagination and give you an escape from reality for a little bit.
For even more Christmas book recommendations check out last year’s post.
What are some of your favorite books to read at Christmas time?
Verse of the Day: And she bright forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7
