Welcome, Tartlets, to my living, breathing, ever-updating list of Christmas Books You Need to Read.
This book list is compiled by yours truly. Unlike a lot of book lists on the internet, the holiday books I’ve recommended below are all books I’ve actually read.
Table of Contents for Christmas Books You Need to Read Book List
I read lots of heavy ish all year long. Come December 1st, I just want to savor the upcoming holiday season and indulge in stories that are as warm and cozy as a pair of buffalo plaid pajamas.
Debbie Macomber’s holiday books were my go-to for a long time, but I started wanting more than just Christmas rom-coms. I’m always on the look-out for Christmas stories that move beyond the enjoyable, albeit predictable formula of “boy-meets-girl-and-two-weeks-later-they’re-engaged-because-CHRSTMAS.”
Since rom-coms are still one of the favorite genres of Christmas books, I’ve included them in this list, along with a few other categories of holiday reads I enjoy. Click one of the Table of Content links below to jump to your preferred Christmas category.
- Christmas Rom-Coms
- Christmas Historical Fiction
- Christmas Mysteries
- Family at Christmas and Christmas Magic
- Christmas Horror
I plan to update this Christmas book list regularly, so check in periodically to see what new holiday delights await you!
CHRISTMAS ROM-COMS
Girl meets boy in snow-covered landscape. Girl and boy court during the magical Christmas season. The girl and boy get engaged after 4 weeks of whirlwind romance. I mean, that’s pretty much the plot of any Christmas romance book out there. Even though it’s the same thing over and over again, I always like to read one during the holiday season. It’s the time of year for happy endings, and rom-coms always ensure there’s one.
Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson
Christmas Charms is full of sparkly, happy, magical Christmas wonder. The first few chapters are set in glamorous Manhattan, steeped in all its holiday city splendor. Then, you’re whisked away to the unbelievably cozy upstate New York town of Owl Lake. Author Wilson is an excellent writer, and her descriptions make everything in Owl Lake come alive. You smell the gingerbread cookies baking. You taste the frosty, pine-filled Adirondack air. And, you feel the warm glow of being surrounded by family and friends. You can read my full book review of Christmas Charms here.
The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber
This first Christmas rom-com I read by Debbie Macomber is still one of my favorites. For some reason, I really loved the premise of two people using a matchmaker to find romance. There are lots of laugh-out-loud moments in The Perfect Christmas as main character Cassie tries to complete the tasks set out for her by the matchmaker to help her find her soul mate. This holiday book is short, sweet, funny, romantic, and full of Christmas cheer. Plus, that cover art. **all the heart eyes** A Perfect Christmas, indeed.
Note: Debbie Macomber has written a gazillion Christmas rom-coms. Some other ones I’d recommend are When Christmas Comes, Starry Night, Merry and Bright, Mr. Miracle, Twelve Days of Christmas, and There’s Something About Christmas.
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz
You know that I love me a good (or even mediocre) Jane Austen retelling. So, are you really surprised I managed to squeeze a Christmas version of Pride and Prejudice onto this list? Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe is a Christmassy, modern twist on the classic Jane Austen novel. I love that Cruz swaps the gender roles in this book; Darcy’s the woman and Elizabeth (“Luke”) Bennet is the man. Even though I know the Pride and Prejudice storyline like the back of my hand, the gender switch, plus a few new characters and plot twists were enough to throw off my memory and keep me interested in this unique interpretation.
Note: there’s a Hallmark movie of Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe, but it’s not nearly as good as the book. (Of course.) They cleaned up a lot of the language (of course) and obviously removed the gay best friend from the story (sigh…of course). Skip the movie and read the book.
CHRISTMAS HISTORICAL FICTION
I love historical fiction that focuses on the charms of the time period during the holidays. Here are some of my faves, and I’m always looking for more!
An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor
An Irish Country Christmas is book #3 in my favorite Irish Country Doctor series. You’ll love this series if you’re a fan of TV shows like All Creatures Great and Small (either version) and Doc Martin. You don’t need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy An Irish Country Christmas, but I heartily recommend doing so since they are fantastic. Author Taylor transports you to 1960s rural Northern Ireland, following around a slightly cranky-but-soft-hearted doctor and his young apprentice, who is learning how to be a country GP amongst the friendly but quirky townsfolk. Irish Country Doctor novels are filled with that cozy, country charm that comes with a simpler and kinder way of life. This particular book doubles down on the cozy factor because it’s full of Christmas spirit, traditions, and miracles. Read this one while sitting next to a crackling fire with a wee cuppa tea for your hand.
Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini
Christmas Bells is a story told in two timelines: the present day and the 1860s. The former is a short narrative told from various character viewpoints, and the latter is a window into poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s life at Christmastime. Christmas Bells is, ultimately, an inspiring Christmas read. However, it does contain some very unwelcome sadness in Longfellow’s storyline. For this reason, I enjoyed the present day narrative much more, though it was interesting to learn the backstory of the popular poem/carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” through the 1860s narrative.
An Irish Country Yuletide by Patrick Taylor
An Irish Country Yuletide brings us back to Ballybucklebo, the fictional 1960s rural Irish village in the Irish Country Doctor series. This is book #16 in the beloved series, so we’ve jumped ahead quite a few years from An Irish Country Christmas. The holiday season is once again coming round in Ballybucklebo, and Doctors O’Reilly and Laverty need to take care of the townsfolk, mend rifts with family, and help everyone to believe in a little Christmas magic. Again, you don’t need to read the entire Irish Country Doctor series before reading An Irish Country Yuletide, but why wouldn’t you want to when the whole collection is just so wonderful?
CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES
I never really think of mysteries being a Christmas thing, but there’s lots of them out there. **shrug** There’s something for everyone. Here are the few Christmas mysteries that have made the cut for me.
Aunt Dimity’s Christmas by Nancy Atherton
Aunt Dimity’s Christmas isn’t my first book in this Cotswolds crime-solving Aunt Dimity series, so I knew what I was getting myself into with this story. There’s a bit of a mystery, a bit of religious undertone, a smattering of magical realism, and a whole lot of quaint English country charm. While Aunt Dimity’s Christmas might not be the Christmas book for everyone, I urge you to give this one a try if you’re looking for a slightly different, more meaningful holiday read. It contains all the holiday feels you’re looking for, plus a little extra heart and soul. You can read my full book review of Aunt Dimity’s Christmas here.
Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Blue Christmas was actually my first introduction to the wonderful world of Mary Kay Andrews, who’s one of my favorite women’s fiction authors. This one is book #3 in the Weezie and Bebe Mysteries series, but don’t let that deter you; I thoroughly enjoyed Blue Christmas without having read the previous books. This novel brings you Christmas in Savannah, with a quirky cast of characters, lots of Southern charm, and a bit of a holiday mystery to solve. It’s fun and Christmas-y without being schmaltzy or saccharinely romantic. Also, it’s hilarious. The Christmas Eve event had me choking back laughter as I read it during my lunchbreak at the office. If you’re looking for a Christmas read that’s not as “Norman Rockwell cozy,” give this one a try.
Note: I’ve also ready and enjoyed Christmas Bliss, which is book #4 in the Weezie and Bebe Mysteries series.
FAMILY AT CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS MAGIC
It’s not surprising that so many Christmas books focus on family – the good, the bad, the laughable, and the cringe-worthy. The holidays are a time to stop and reflect on how much the people in our lives really mean to us, and this collection of holiday book recommendations focuses on family, whether blood or found, and the importance of having loved ones in our lives.
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
This is one of my favorite Christmas books ever. Ever. Christmas Shopaholic is part of the wonderful and hilarious Shopaholic series, but you could honestly jump right into the action without reading the previous books. Main character Becky loves the Christmas (shopping) season, but this year she’s facing a lot of change. Her reliably boring parents decide to ditch cozy village life and become hipsters in East London. An old boyfriend shows up with his new girlfriend, and they may or may not want to engage Becky and her husband in “multiplayer sex”. And she has to host Christmas Dinner at her house this year. If you want a feel-good, hysterically funny, easy-going but still meaningful holiday read this season, pick up Christmas Shopaholic. I cracked open this beauty while sitting in a chic Italian cafe and drew many a disapproving look from patrons because I was barking with laughter every few paragraphs. You can read my full book review of Christmas Shopaholic here.
A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans
As the title suggests, A Winter Dream isn’t technically a Christmas book. But, it takes place in winter and still have plenty of holiday vibes since it’s set in snowy Chicago. It’s a modern re-telling of the Old Testament story about Joseph. As in, “and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Author Evans did a great job of taking an ancient story steeped in religious lore and moving it into a modern, more secular world. A Winter Dream is a timeless tale that explores jealousy and anger, exile and forgiveness, hard work and family drama. And, of course, there are “the dreams.” Read this short, quick novel for a dose of secular magic.
Even though this novel is based around a Bible story, religion doesn’t have much of a place in the book, so feel free to read this one even if you aren’t religious.
The White Christmas Inn by Colleen Wright
I’ll admit that it’s been awhile since I read The White Christmas Inn. I also don’t seem to have written down any notes for it. But, I do remember loving this novel featuring a Love Actually-style ensemble cast. It’s set in snowy New England, so you get all those cozy winter vibes. While there are several chances at romance in the book, the focus isn’t all on swoony-worthy, lovey-dovey moments. My favorite storyline in The White Christmas Inn was the innkeepers’, who are struggling to decide if they are going to close their beloved business in the new year. As one would expect with a New England inn, there’s a ton of foodie fiction thrown into this book, and it will make you want to start creating your own holiday feast menu as you read.
Christmas Joy by Nancy Naigle
Christmas Joy has a plot similar to a Hallmark movie. When big-city career woman Joy is called upon to help her injured Aunt Ruby, she heads back to the sleepy town of Crystal Falls, NC that she thought she left behind. Joy spends most of her two-week vacation decorating and baking. She’s assisted by a sweet little girl named Molly, and, of course, the requisite handsome local accountant-slash-handyman named Ben. This book contains ALL the holiday feels. And, even though there’s some romance in this book, I wouldn’t call it a rom-com, per se. There’s so much about family and reconnecting with your past. You can read my full book review of Christmas Joy here.
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
This bestselling women’s fiction author needs no introduction. As you may suspect by now, this book is also part of series. But, good news — it’s book #1! So, you’re meeting the characters for the first time with everyone else. Winter Street heads north for a truly zany family Christmas on the island of Nantucket. New England charm and traditions abound as the characters ready themselves for Christmas, so you definitely feel the holiday spirit and the chaos that comes with holiday prep. Interestingly, this novel deals with some heavy plotlines, but everything is handled in a surprisingly lighthearted manner. You never get bogged down with anything too serious, despite several serious events.
Mini-spoiler (but no details): the ending leaves you hanging, and you’re going to be extremely tempted to read books #2 and #3 right away. I was. However, I warn you — those “serious” topics I mentioned become far more prevalent in the following books. If you fully embrace cathartic, “Christmas Shoes”-esque bawling during the holidays, proceed to books two and three. But, if you’re like me and prefer not to be more depressed at Christmas, make up your own ending for book #1 and be satisfied with that.
The Gift by Cecelia Ahern
Remember how I said I hate Christmas books that make my cry? Well, The Gift is one of those books. However, it’s a really good story — up until the point that totally breaks your heart. I mean, it’s still good after that, but you’re going to sob your eyes out. This book by Irish author Cecelia Ahern is The Bishop’s Wife meets The Family Man, set in 1990s Dublin. It’s sweet, it’s inspiring, it’s quirky, and a little bit unexpected even though I know those two movies quite well. If you’re ready to cry big, fat ugly tears in front of your Christmas tree, give this one a try.
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
The majority of Winter Solstice takes place at Christmas time, but I wouldn’t necessarily call this a “Christmas book.” It is, however, a great “winter book” or “seasonal book”. Hygge vibes abound in every chapter, from delicious meals shared around a fireplace to the brisk Northern winds whipping along the winter beach, to the snowflakes falling thick and dense over the Scottish town, closing off roads and serendipitously stranding people at the manor house. The first part of Winter Solstice begins in November, and it takes quite awhile to get to the Christmas-y part. Once you get there, though, you’re lost in a holi-daze as Elfrida, with the help of her family and friends, manages to create an amazingly cozy and lovely holiday week for everyone in Creagan. You can read my full book review of Winter Solstice here.
CHRISTMAS HORROR
I really hope to add more books to the Christmas Horror category. Ghost stories were often told on Christmas Eve back in Victorian times, and I love keeping that tradition going when I can. A little ghostly action at the holiday season never hurts! Especially when you need a break from all those rom-coms!
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
NOS4A2 is a horror novel that’s centered around Christmas. There are all the entrancing, alluring elements of the holidays that we love: carols, trees decorated with ornaments, and the smell of gingerbread in the air. But, author Joe Hill doles out each charming tidbit with a sinister twist that morphs the innocent into something incredibly dark and disturbing. Because N0S4A2 is a story about a serial killer. It’s an amazing novel, though it happens to have the dubious honor of being the most disturbing book I’ve ever read. You can read my full book review of NOS4A2 here.
