Looking for holiday fiction that gets you in the mood for the season? Check out this list of 10 great holiday fiction reads that really deliver…
As we head into the holiday season, I like to take my reading with me. Is there anything better than cozying up by a fire, surrounded by decorations, and drinking a hot cup of tea with a holiday-themed book? I don’t think so.
This list includes mostly fiction, but there are a couple of stories based on actual events. They were just too good to leave off the list. My goal for these books was to choose ones that embodied the holiday spirit, made you laugh or feel touched, and left you feeling happy in the end. I hope all of these books do exactly that for you. Happy holiday reading!
10 Best Holiday Fiction Books
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Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
This reimagining of how A Christmas Carol was written is pure genius. Charles Dickens is not in the Christmas spirit, yet somehow he is supposed to write a Christmas book to save himself from financial ruin. So while he tries to work off his writer’s block, he stumbles across a woman who becomes his muse and takes him on a very Scrooge-ish journey. This book is so imaginative and heartwarming.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
In a Groundhog Day-esque motif, Mae is stuck in a loop after a car crash. Time after time she returns to the Utah cabin she loves for a Christmas celebration and tries again to break free and set her life to rights. This is a charming Christmas story with great characters and will have you laughing into your tea.
A Vintage Christmas by Louisa May Alcott, et al.
For those who love the stories of yesteryear and the cozy feeling they give, this book of stories, poems, and reflections by greats like Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, and L. M. Montgomery, among others, will get you into the holiday spirit. Beautifully written and perfect for a read by the fire.
Silent Night by Stanley Weintraub
This might seem like a strange choice, but this story based on real events during World War I is truly touching. For one night, the two sides put down their weapons and met in the center of no-man’s-land to exchange gifts and play games. Despite having to return to the trenches in the morning, there was one night when they stopped being enemies and instead celebrated Christmas as one.
Celebrations by Maya Angelou
This collection of wise and wonderful poetry is as graceful and lovely as the writer herself. Some are iconic and others lesser known, but all are powerful and contemplative and perfect for enjoying this holiday season.
Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan
The residents and location of Mure in northern Scotland will surely capture your heart this holiday season. Despite the bleak winter landscape, town folk gather to deck the halls and serve up some delicious sweets with their drink. Flora has some news for her boyfriend and Saif is struggling to find the Christmas spirit. You’ll find yourself rooting for these lovely characters and adoring their families. Don’t miss the holiday recipes in the back!
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This is classic Sherlock Holmes and this festive story fits right in with these other holiday books. A hat and a goose are left on a road on Christmas morning. Who left them? And do they know about the jewel hidden in the goose? Enjoy this mystery curled up on a cold night.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
No holiday book list would be complete without this classic. Meet Scrooge, a wealthy, misery man who has no time or interest in Christmas. Until three ghosts show him the past, present, and future, and help him see the error of his ways.
The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith
This book is actually based on events that occurred in the author’s life, but since it so perfectly embodied the spirit of the season, I just had to include it. After the unexpected death of her husband, Huist Smith didn’t know how she’d get through the holidays with her children. But an unexpected gift arrived on their doorstep 12 days before Christmas, and then another, and another. This book will without a doubt speak to your heart and put you in the holiday spirit.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
On Christmas Eve, a hated family patriarch suddenly dies in a locked room. Hercule Poirot comes to investigate this holiday murder and is surrounded by suspects, all who have a reason to want the man dead. Holiday festivities take a mysterious turn in this classic novel.
Happy holiday reading!
Looking for more great reading lists? Check out these popular book lists:
10 Best Fiction Books of 2022 (So Far)
Christmas Books and Movies for the Whole Family
Best Christmas Books for Adults
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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