AS we gear up for the big day, it brings with it a longing for stories that feel as comforting as a woollen blanket.
Christmas is a season made for reading – when the world slows just enough for us to lose ourselves in a good book.
Whether your festive mood calls for mystery, romance, nostalgia or pure magic, these five Christmas books offer the perfect literary companions for your cosiest evenings.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
No festive reading list is complete without the story that shaped the season itself. Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge – equal parts ghost story, social commentary, and joyful redemption – still sparkles with life nearly two centuries on. At just over 100 pages, it’s the ideal read for a busy December.
And for those of us who like being doubly festive, why not follow up with watching one of it’s many adaptations. My favourite being The Muppet’s version.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
If you’re dreaming of a cosy escape, Colgan’s charming novel delivers exactly that. Set in a crumbling Edinburgh bookshop in the heart of winter, this is a story about second chances, sisterhood, and falling in love – both with people and places.
Colgan’s has the skill to make a literary world you want to jump right it. A brilliantly cosy book. .
Perfect for readers who love feel-good fiction, bookshops, and a touch of festive romance.
One Day in December by Josie Silver
This modern winter romance begins with a fleeting moment – two strangers locking eyes through a bus window – and blossoms into a decade-long journey of missed chances, hopes, and heartbreaks.
Set against the backdrop of twinkling London, it’s a warm, emotional story that captures the way love can surprise us, especially at Christmas.
One to pick up if you want something heartfelt and utterly addictive.
Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien
Long before Middle-earth, Tolkien wrote magical letters from “Father Christmas” to his children.
Filled with illustrated adventures featuring polar bears, goblins, and the bustling life of the North Pole, this beautiful collection is a treasure for families and nostalgic readers alike.
It’s whimsical, generous, and infused with childlike wonder – everything Christmas should be.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Not everyone craves sugar-sweet stories – and for those who like their Christmas with a twist, Christie’s holiday murder mystery is irresistible.
When a wealthy patriarch is found dead in a locked room during a tense family gathering, Poirot must unravel the truth amid lies, secrets, and festive chaos. Deliciously dramatic, wickedly clever, and endlessly fun.
Best for readers who want a sharper, more suspenseful slice of Christmas.
Whether you’re curled up by the window watching snow fall or unwinding after a busy day of festivities, these books offer warmth, wonder, and a welcome escape.
