Every year around Thanksgiving I start to feel the deep seated need to be cozy – snuggling in with candles, decorative tree lights, piles of blankets, and books that are delightfully filled with Christmas cheer. I try to hold off on holiday books until two weeks before Christmas, but often give in sooner. December is such a magical month, why not add to the magic by filling your mind with books that will only enhance your Christmas spirit? It’s one of my favorite parts of the season!
I’ve come up with a rather extensive list of suggestions for your own cozy Christmas reads! I’ll start with books I’ve read and loved in the past and then share what I’m planning to read this year.
Tried and True Christmas Authors
Truly one of the best authors I’ve ever read. His books will make you cry, laugh, and remember for years to come. (His The Walk series is incredible!) Richard Paul Evans’ Christmas books are especially meaningful and I highly anticipate reading a new one each year. There are so many to choose from, but here are a few of my favorites.
- Promise Me – Loved it!
- Lost December – A modern day retelling of the prodigal son. Beautiful!
- The Mistletoe Promise – This is the first in a three book series that will warm your heart.
- The Christmas Box – Another three book series. Perhaps the Christmas books he’s most well known for, earning a mention on the cover of all the other books! Looking back at my book spreadsheet for the last seven years, I’m not sure I’ve actually read this one! I’ll have to add it to my list asap.
Martin has written a handful of delightful books, and her Christmas series are particularly fun. They’re a bit more on the fluffy side, but not so much that they’ll bore you or be too predictable. I highly recommend any of her books!
- Christmas at Lilac Cottage – I thought this series was the most memorable. Definitely read it!
- One Hundred Christmas Proposals – I probably shouldn’t technically include this one because it’s the sequel to a non-Christmas book called One Hundred Proposals. But the first book is so delicious, that you should really read both.
- The Christmas Shoes – If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie, surely you’ve heard this song! While the song definitely gets annoying, the book is so fantastic! This is the first in a seven (though it appears more like five related books) part series called The Christmas Hope series. I’ve read the first four and they’re basically guaranteed to make you cry. Which is a huge bonus in my opinion! I want all the feels in my reading life, but especially around Christmas.
Macomber is an author you’ve surely at least heard of, even if you’ve never read her books. She seemed to turn out at least one Christmas book a year and there are tons of backlog you could read. As an author, a lot of her books are hit or miss to me. But there are a few Christmas books in particular that I really enjoyed.
- Twelve Days of Christmas – A woman tries to win over her grumpy neighbor with acts of kindness. Uplifting and fun!
- Starry Night – Intriguing premise and lots of delight!
Carlson was always one of my go tos for a great Christmas novel. I’ve missed some of her newest books, but definitely plan on adding them to my list.
- Christmas at Harrington’s – This is one that’s stuck with me for a very long time. A wonderful book about second chances.
- The Christmas Pony – Christmas wishes can come true.
Individual Christmas Books that I Loved
Comfort & Joy – Kristin Hannah is an amazing storyteller. This Christmas book blew me away.
Paper Angels – Beautiful book about a simple act of kindness changing the lives of each other.
Christmas Roses – An historical Christmas romance that is sure to win your heart.
A Christmas to Remember – With a similar writing style as Holly Martin, any Christmas books by Jenny Hale are sweet and endearing.
The Paper Bag Christmas – An unexpected delight about the true meaning of Christmas spirit found by two boys volunteering their time in a hospital.
Remembering Christmas – Joy is often found in unexpected circumstances.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street – I just read this one and think it’s a delightful story full of heart for people of any age!
What I’m Looking Forward to Reading this December
The Noel Diary – St. Nick will be bringing me this book in its physical form because I’m confident I’m going to love and treasure it. From the reviews, it looks essential for jumping into the Christmas season!
Merry and Bright – This year’s Macomber novel looks to be one of my favorite tropes. Fall in love on paper and then realize you don’t like the person in real life. It’s at the top of my list!
Last Christmas in Paris – Historical fiction is not a genre I usually gravitate toward. But this book in particular looks beautiful and bittersweet – the type of book I generally love. I’m looking forward to checking it out.
Glad Tidings – Bakers and writers, what more could I want in a story! This looks like another promising Macomber holiday treat.
We’ll Always Have Christmas – Another book about a baker! I read a lot of books about bakers. This one looks especially fun and endearing.
Christmas at Hope Cottage – This looks like the perfect book to read right around Christmas. Full of cheer and magic!
Thanks for checking out my list! I would love to hear your favorite cozy Christmas reads!
I was wondering if anyone has read a book, I can’t remember the title, it’s about a man that works too much and he somehow hits his head and now can hear not just what people say but what their hearts are really saying. I am trying to find that book. I bought it at Walmart about the time the Christmas shoes second book came out.