“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”
What better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by snuggling up with a festive-themed read? Whether it’s classics or contemporary tales, Christmas books embody the essence of the season, capturing the magic of everything from snowfall to stockings! So, whether you’re decorating the tree, shopping for gifts, checking off your Christmas to-do list, or simply aiming to feel more merry, step into the warmth of Christmas and unwrap the magic with the best Christmas books right here at What We Reading! From timeless essentials to easy page-turners, these festive books are the ones we consistently return to as we journey through the days of December, each one a delightful companion during the countdown of our advent calendars.
A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
What list of essential Christmas books would be complete without Charles Dickens’ timeless classic? From the Muppets to Jim Carrey, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his anti-Christmas vendetta has been retold and adapted countless times over the years, firmly nestling itself as one of the go-to festive stories.
For Ebenezer, Christmas is just another day of the year. Not only does he not partake in the festivities of the holiday season, he actively despises them. That is until one evening when he is visited by the ghosts of past, present and future. These ghosts appear to confront Ebenezer on his challenging personality traits, warning him to change his ways in time for the festivities before it is too late.
Twilight At Croftwood Library – Victoria Walker
Lois Morgan’s confidence is at an all-time low when she is sent to the small town of Croftwood to manage the local library ahead of its closure. Fresh off of a break-up with a man who took her for granted, her belief in love has been shattered and has decided that a change in scenery is the best thing for her.
Local entrepreneur Oliver Jones is also no stranger to a messy break-up. When Lois embarks on a campaign to save the library, he puts himself forward to help with the launch of her Date-With-a-Book Club. Victoria Walker’s 2023 romance book delivers a heartwarming tale of friendship and connection, whisking readers on a festive-filled trip of twinkling lights, Christmas magic and a good cause all of Croftwood is getting behind.
The Polar Express – Chris Van Allsburg
Another classic Christmas book that has remained hugely popular thanks to its big-budget adaptations, Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express follows the story of Billy, a young boy whose family doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. Billy too is having his doubts when, on Christmas Eve, he boards the train that has arrived in town headed for the North Pole.
A strange conductor greets Billy, and he is soon whisked on a beautifully illustrated journey through a winter wonderland. Eventually, he meets the bearded big man himself, who says that he will gift him anything he wants. Billy chooses one bell from the harness of his reindeer, which Santa agrees to.
The Christmas Postcards – Karen Swan
The Christmas Postcards is a 2022 escapist romance book by bestselling author Karen Swan. Set in a snow-covered picturesque Cotswold village, this feel-good festive story follows Natasha and Rob, whose rekindled romantic winter holiday is curtailed when their daughter’s soft toy disappears on the way home.
Natasha turns to social media for help and miraculously locates it. Unfortunately for her, it has become the lucky mascot of a man named Duffy trekking in Nepal. Duffy promises to keep updated with pictures, beginning a correspondence that soon becomes something far more meaningful. Before long, Natasha begins to feel like her connection with this stranger is more powerful than the one she shares with her husband. However, as the weeks pass and Duffy heads further into the mountains, she begins to note a change, before the messages stop altogether.
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia #1) – C.S. Lewis
Whilst it might not be as festive-specific as other Christmas books on this list, C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy story on a land of permanent winter is the perfect read for snuggling in with during the cold nights.
Sent to live with an old professor in the countryside, readers follow the four Pevensie siblings as they discover the magical world of Narnia hiding on the other side of an old wardrobe. Buried under a snow and ice-filled enchantment by the evil White Witch, they meet Aslan, a noble lion and true king of this magical land. Embarking on an epic quest to restore peace and harmony to Narnia, Lewis’ assortment of mythical creatures and fantastical adventures provide one of the most beloved stories of bravery, sacrifice and good standing against evil.
The 19th Christmas (Women’s Murder Club #19) – James Patterson And Maxine Paetro
As the festive season approaches, Detective Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Women’s Murder Club have plenty to feel merry about. Crime is down, the medical examiner’s office and the courts are quiet and the news cycle is recycling stories about the ‘true meaning’ of the holiday for San Francisco.
And then a sinister criminal known only as ‘Loman’ seizes the headlines. With a limitless lust for riches, bloodshed and attention, he has activitied dozens of criminal colleagues to lay traps and trigger false alarms that mask his plan of bagging the biggest heist the city has ever seen. With very real threats coming in by the hour, the Women’s Murder Club’s holiday season is upended. Avoiding a complete tragedy is the only gift on their list this Christmas. For those looking for more grit from their Xmas books, James Patterson and Maxine’s The 19th Christmas can’t be missed.
Last Christmas In Paris – Hazel Gaynor And Heather Webb
Spanning four Christmases between 1914 and 1918, Last Christmas in Paris is a spellbinding historical romance novel by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. Beginning in August 1914, Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, departing for the frontlines of World War One, believing like most that it will all be over by Christmas.
As history tells us, that was not the case. Readers follow Evie and Thomas as they adjust to the realities of war, soldiering through thanks to the letters they share. Through their correspondence, they share their hopes and dreams for the future. But, will their love be able to continue flourishing as the horrors of the Great War only stretch further? Picking up with Thomas in 1968, he returns to Paris armed with a stack of letters that have kept him company. What he doesn’t realise, however, is that there is one final note waiting for him.
Last Christmas: Memories Of Christmases Past And Hopes Of Future Ones – Greg Wise And Emma Thompson
When you look back at Christmases gone by, what made them magical for you? And, looking to the future, what would need to change to make your festive season perfect? It features writing from Meryl Streep, Bill Bailey, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Caitlin Moran, Richard Ayoade, Emily Watson and so many other unique voices ranging from the boulevards of Hollywood to soup kitchens in Covent Garden.
Last Christmas is a collection of funny, beautifully-told and empathy-driven personal essays about the meaning of the holiday season. Away from the bright lights, presents and sprawling plates of food, Emma Thompson and Greg Wise illuminate the importance of kindness, generosity, tolerance and acceptance, and how these values are not just for Christmas.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
