There are endless possibilities for children's Christmas books, but you have to search a bit to find a good Christmas read for adults. Here are 10 GREAT Christmas books an adult can cozy up with this holiday season while avoiding shopping, parking lots and Santas that smell like scotch.
WINTER books are like the season, slow, heavy and almost never ending. They're the kind of books with some heft that more often than not have won some sort of literary award. The one time this doesn't hold true is in the winter month of December.
A time when even the most austere of readers has been known to bundle under the covers with a hot chocolate, a shortbread cookie and secretly crack open a Christmas romance novel.
Yup, romance novels. The literary world's most sneezed upon genre. It's also the most profitable. Romance novels make more money for the publishing world than any other books - by a lot.
Book Genres by Earnings
- Romance & Erotica - $1.44 billion dollars
- Crime & Mystery - $728.2 million
- Religious & Inspirational - $720 million
Now that I've sort of legitimized romance novels I will now confess that although I've never read a "regular" romance novel, I had a period in my life when I was absolutely obsessed with Christmas themed romance novels. Which I read of course around Christmas. When I was in University a friend and I would start buying these books around the month of October and we'd read them nonstop until Christmas.
I said it was a way to avoid writing papers and nothing more. I was a University student for God's sake. I had better literary tastes than this. But I didn't. I liked those books. I actually liked them.
They just made me feel cozy, happy, relaxed ... all the things one normally doesn't feel while trying to avoid writing 2,000 word papers. Cozy, happy and relaxed are all the things we all want to feel 100% of the time which probably explains why romance is indeed the most read genre in the world.
So while they aren't normally what I reach for when I'm looking for a book I've included a couple of romance books on this list of Christmas novels.
18 Great Christmas Reads for Adults
The Best Christmas Books
Something for everyone to cozy up with this holiday season no matter what your reading taste. Humour, mystery, romance and literary fiction.
Letters From Father Christmas
If you're a Tolkien fan or you know of a Tolkien fan this is the book for you. If you're also a Christmas fan this collection of letters might actually prompt you to spontaneously combust and become invisible from excitement.
The Deal of a Lifetime - Feel good
I'd also like to recommend if you haven't read his novel A Man Called Ove that you do it now. Well, after you read this Christmas one I mean.
Visions of Sugar Plums - Humour/Romance
This is a Christmas/Crime/Humour novel with tiny bit of romance. I know! You didn't think such a thing existed. But it does! Janet Evanovich is my go to writer when I just want something easyyyy and guaranteed entertaining.
Redbird Christmas - Feel Good
Fannie Flagg is a storyteller. Plain and simple. She cultivates complex, quirky characters grown out of small town soil. You don't just read a Fannie Flagg novel, you feel like you live it with every turn of the page.
A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories
A curated collection that reflects the Christmas experiences of everyday African Americans in the years 1880 - 1953.
Little Women - Literary Fiction
Louisa May Alcott begrudgingly wrote Little Women at the demand of her publisher. After she finished the first 12 chapters they both agreed it was dull. But her publisher's niece loved it, so they decided they might as well finish it. And history was made.
A Christmas Carol - Literary Fiction
I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you anything about this book that you don't already know. It's the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and how on Christmas Eve he gets visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. You've seen the movie, now read the book. We all know the book is always better.
Mr. Dickens and His Carol
The fictional tale of the story behind Charle's Dickens classic A Christmas Carol and how he came to write it. (with historically accurate details of Dickens' actual life.)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas - Mystery
Mystery fans unite. Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot in a classic English Christmas setting. Just add a blanket, fireplace and hot toddy.
Holidays on Ice - Humour
David Sedaris is the funniest human on Earth. Period. This collection of short stories proves it.
A Christmas Memory - Classic
Just his description of going out to buy fruitcake ingredients makes the book worth it. 91% of readers give A Christmas Memory a 5 out of 5 star rating.
A Cowboy's Christmas - Romance
I'm not a romance reader but I *do* love every single awful Hallmark Christmas movies. If you do too AND you like romance, then this book will be the greatest gift you can give yourself.
The Christmas Mystery - Mystery
Want to read a Christmas book but don't have time? THIS is the one for you. The Christmas Mystery is a quick 160 pages you can speed through on a snowy weekend.
An Irish Christmas Feast - Short stories
Another option if you're short on reading time. A collection of Irish Christmas short stories. Get your whiskey glass polished up and ready.
The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale
From the Amazon description:
"Unable at first to find a publisher for his evocative tale about a man named George Pratt who ponders suicide until he receives an opportunity to see what the world would be like without him, Stern ultimately published the story in a small pamphlet and sent it out as his 1943 Christmas card. One of those 200 cards found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, and the film that resulted became the holiday tradition we cherish today."
Trading Christmas - Romance/Feel Good
Yet another Hallmark movie type book. In fact, this book was actually made into a Hallmark movie (of the same name)!
Last Christmas in Paris - Historical Romance
This wouldn't have made my list but it gets such good reviews that I thought I had better add this in. I love Christmas novels as well as war novels, I just wasn't all that keen on a combination of the two for some reason. I also don't like my foods touching on my dinner plate sooooo that could account for my initial opposition, lol.
My personal favourites on this list are Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris which is absolutely hysterical and A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg because she's such a good storyteller.
Bonus Holiday books! Jewish, gay, & lesbian selections.
Jewish Holiday book
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming How could a book titled The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming be anything but fantastic? A Lemony Snicket book.
Gay Holiday Book
Small Town Christmas Gay romance Christmas novels don't seem to differ from straight ones very much. This one focuses on a small town sheriff who tries to hide his gay truth from coming out before an election. Enter, the highly successful businessman, who wanders into town for a business deal during the holiday season.
Lesbian Holiday Book
A Swedish Christmas Fairytale The premise of this sounds like a PERFECT Christmas book. Excerpt from Amazon - "Amber Tate is about to lose her job at a London publishing house. And it’s nearly Christmas. Her boss gives her one last chance. Sadly, it’s the impossible task of obtaining the rights to the popular Lund Collection of fairy tales. The rights to the fairy tales are held by the author’s granddaughter, Emilia Lund, who lives a reclusive life in Sweden and has steadfastly refused to talk to anyone about the rights for the last several years. However, in order to convince her one and only friend that she can be sociable, Emilia agrees to invite Amber - under strict conditions - to the cosy setting of wintry Sweden.
There's only a 1-2 month long window where this kind of book will feel magical. Get that book, go to bed early with a mug of hot chocolate, a plate of shortbread cookies and settle into some holiday rest, relaxation and reading. It's not just for University students trying to avoid writing papers.
It's for anyone trying to avoid anything.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Heather
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher is among my favourites. Heading over to Amazon now to order Hercule Poirot's Christmas. Thanks!
Cathy Reeves
I adore 🥰🥰🥰 All of Rosamunde Pilcher’s books!
Heather
Did you know she died on February 6th this year at the age of 94? Like you, Cathy, I adored all her books.
Patricia
I love reading a Christmas book or two of some kind at this time of year. I like the "heart warming, restore your faith in humanity" kind of books.
In that vein, I recommend,
The 13th Gift
A True Story of a Christmas Miracle
by Joanne Huist Smith
After the unexpected death of her husband, Joanne Huist Smith had no idea how she would keep herself together and be strong for her three children--especially with the holiday season approaching. But 12 days before Christmas, presents begin appearing on her doorstep with notes from their "True Friends." As the Smiths came together to solve the mystery of who the gifts were from, they began to thaw out from their grief and come together again as a family. This true story about the power of random acts of kindness will warm the heart, a beautiful reminder of the miracles of Christmas and the gift of family during the holiday season
Marcia
Although I generally like David Sedaris, I didn't like "Holidays on Ice". Didn't find it to be as funny as his other books. One of my very favorite Christmas books is "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson. Hilarious and heart-warming. If you haven't read it, you should.
Marilyn
I agree!
Debra Milam
OK, my daughter says it's cheating and I'm not really reading a book so it doesn't count. I listen to books on my mp3 player. I listen from the time I get up in the morning till I fall asleep at night (it has a shut off timer). There are a lot of books out there. I go through one in a day or two. I would prefer to read, but if I sat down to read I would never get anything else done, this way I can listen and carry on with all the necessary things of daily life.
Alena
Hi Debra,
Perhaps I should consider this. I am the same type - if I am reading the book, nothing else exists (I barely get the dog out for her potty breaks and I feed her, but that's it). I can never peel myself off of a book.
Mindy Northrop
I've never read an adult Christmas book. How can this be!? I'll check out Amazon Prime and see if there's any freebies. I do, however, wrap up 25 kid Christmas books every year for our advent. Most of them came from second hand stores, so it was very inexpensive to collect them. The kids take turns opening one every night and we read it by the tree. It's one of my favorite December traditions.
MaggieB
Love, love 😄 love this, Mindy. Putting it on my ideas list for next year.
Mindy Northrop
After Christmas is the best time to buy them. Just make a note on your November calendar for next year so you don't forget to wrap them. :)
Sheryl Strachan
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher -
I read it every year at this time.
Kate K
I'd like to add to the list: The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn. It's designed to read a chapter a day from Dec 1-Dec 24. There's a follow-up book, The Autobiography of Mrs. Claus. Both are a lot of fun!
Alena
Karen,
If you can fall asleep before finishing a chapter you are reading the wrong books. I cannot imagine falling asleep with Elizabeth George in my hands. I have to admit I won't read anything on your list unless I really want to fall asleep (which I am sure the Dickens would accomplish successfully). Debbie Macomber's books make for good TV movies (and I usually check my Instagram feed during those so that I don't feel like I wasted all that time).
I just finished Laura Lippman's Every Secret Thing and it was an excellent book (my first Lippman; and I have instantly became a fan) that I can warmly recommend. It's not Christmassy but I don't think it matters.
Before Lippman, I read Ruth Ware's A Dark, Dark Wood - a book which I saw mentioned in newspapers, online, etc. When I got it (together with Lippman, the books were a gift from a dear friend) I read the reviews on and inside the cover first. They are practically promising that you will shit yourself (pardon my French) reading the book because it's so sinister and blood curdling and what not. Well, don't believe the reviews. I had no problem going to the bathroom in the dark or anything else the critics warned about. The book is OK but nothing special and not such a thriller at all.
Leeuna
Ohhh. I love Laura Lippman! She is one of my favorite authors.
Nancy Blue Moon
I totally agree with you on A Dark Dark Wood...very predictable for me and not scary at all!
Elaine
Thanks SO much, Karen, for your list! I didn’t know Fannie Flag has a new one; I love her books. Since I don’t drive, my daughter took me to Chapter’s yesterday and has now crossed that off HER to-do list but now that a reader says Stuart McLean has a new book, I really want/need to return and buy that book as a gift. I know she’ll murder me but heck, she’s the daughter I told you about that hated my dried up chicken and (as a kid), hid it in her pj drawer. Days later, I’d find the “petrified” hunks when putting freshly laundered pj’s back in her drawer. I think she owes me one, don’t you? I really need that book!!
Marcia
I put food I didn't want to eat in the pockets of my robe and on this little shelf that was under the kitchen table. My parents were never the wiser until we moved and they found my "stash".
Staci Martin
I read "Little Women" every Christmas Eve!
Monique
Not Christmas..but..have you read Wonder?
Loved.
MindyK
These are letters that Tolkien wrote to his children as though from Santa. They detail life at the North Pole (the North Polar Bear gets blamed for everything that goes wrong) and are illustrated with little watercolors. I got it for Christmas when I was a kid and was absolutely delighted when my mother mailed my battered copy to me when my own son was small. We read it every year.
Regarding Little Women, I had the oddest experience. I've read it a dozen times. Know the story backward and forward; love it. I recently listened to it as an audio book and discovered that I have been reading an abridged version my entire life. And, honestly, kind of like the Princess Bride is the "good parts version," so is my abridgement. There's a lot of boring moralizing in the unabridged LW.
Noreen McKechnie
I’ve been reading Christmas romances for several weeks already. Love them, I call them my guilty pleasures between “quality fiction” . Also embarrassing to admit I sometimes reread old ones during the summer!
Leeuna
Noreen, so do I. We must like a little Christmas in July. I will read a book in a day or so. I've already read fifteen since the beginning of November. I love being retired. :)
Lily MacBloom
Karen:
Instead of reading Fannie Flagg I highlly encourage you to get both the the Red Christmas and Green Fried Tomatoes as audio books. She reads them herself and her delivery makes you laugh out loud< (because that's more than LOL)
Jack Barr
Al Maitland still reads the Shepherd (posthumously), every Christmas on CBC. It has been our family's and many of our friends tradition to listen to it. Always fresh. As an over the hill member of a CF100 sqn., based in France, I have flown, at night as well, very similar flightpaths over the "Channel": always brings back fond memories.
Jan in Waterdown
My Dad, was Jack and he too flew his Mossie in France . . .
Jack Barr
Incidentally, since Christmas Eve is on Sunday this year (CBC's "As It Happens" doesn't broadcast on Sunday), Fireside Al will be reading the "Shepherd" on Friday eve.
Jan in Waterdown
Thanks so much Jack! I also have a CBC dvd of it that I bought at Lee Valley quite a few years ago.
Hope your Christmas is full of warm memories!
Jack Barr
Hi, Jan. May you also have a memory-filled family
Christmas.
Your dad would have been well before me when he was flying Mousquitos, an amazing, versatile and, for its time, fast a/c made mostly of wood and mostly in Canada. It filled many rolls- dangerous ones: night fighter, pathfinder, reconnaissance; not unlike some of our rolls later with the CF100, an all-weather fighter/interceptor.
with envy,
Marcia
Thanks for this recommendation. I found the book and love it!
Jill Ackerman
Try "The Shepherd" by Frederick Forsyth. A must read on Christmas Eve. You can read it in about an hour. Used to be read by "Fireside Al" (Alan Maitland) on CBC Radio every Christmas Eve.
Teri
I miss Alan Maitland.
And Max Ferguson.
And Stuart McLean.
Stuart McLean could write the most gentle, real and hilarious stories Such a wonderful story-tellers voice too.
The year Dave cooked the turkey is a classic.
The good days at the mother ship of CBC.
Catherine
True! And Peter Gzoski? (Showing my age here) all the wonderful people you mentionned, miss them so. Still listen to CBC though...
Teri
Yes! Gzoski! One of the all time great interviewers. Age, smage - we have experience.
Bonnie
Yes, so right, missing the old CBC days.
Jan in Waterdown
My dad was an RAF pilot in WWII, flew a Mosquito fighter-bomber. Whenever I heard this on Christmas Eve, we were usually driving to see my folks and it always brought tears to me eyes. Ok, I need a kleenex . . . sweet memories . . .
Tasha
My mom bought me a Christmas book every year until I was 21. She keeps them for me, and we read them at Christmas. I have one the same for my son. Favourites include The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (I also recommend Father Christmas by him as well), Jolly Christmas Postman, and Samurai Santa.
I too love a good Christmas romance, they are completely low stress, you know that they will get together at the end, AND there is the Christmas magic too.
Rebekah
I absolutely love Father Christmas! A grumpy Father Christmas never fails to cheer me up. Also love A Jolly Christmas Postman - kids get to open someone else's mail!
I would recommend The Gift of anything by Patrick McDonnell - a very funny yet effective little fable, with his fabulous sketchy drawings to illustrate.
Janet
Hmm, Erotica books at Christmas time 🤔... is there really a book titled ..
“Gray Christmas” ?
Stephanie
Haha... if Santa’s in it, I’m cancelling Christmas.
Monica
nice
Alena
Dunno, but that should not stop you from writing 50 Shades of Christmas.
Given what in the previous 50 Shades books, it should not take very long to write - you can write over the weekend and have it published by Christmas (I think the only limiting factor is the speed of one's typing - how long can it possibly take to write a book where the heroine blushes 3 times and bites her lips 4 times on every single page?
Jennifer
Stuart McLean, a humourous Canadian journalist, writer and entertainer as well as CBC radio host, recently died. A collection of some of his best Christmas stories was just released and it includes a number of never before published stories. I’m giving two copies as gifts this year at Christmas and I’m hoping to get a copy for myself under the tree. Guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and end the book wishing for more. It’s called Christmas at the Vinyl Cafe.
Marilyn Meagher
I am currently reading that. Hilarious.
Catherine
Thanks for this Jennifer, I so loved listening to him, and I miss him so much. I'm running out tomorrow to buy this book. Of course I'll have to get his voice in my head. Happy Christmas to all!
Sheila
I second your emotions and I bought his book for myself for Christmas. Oh, Stuart, I miss you so.
Jane S
His Christmas stories are also on CD so you can still hear him. I'm saving the new book for Christmas Day.
Jennifer
Then be sure to catch the last Christmas concert he ever recorded on CBC on December 17th. I’m sure the website has more details. I always caught his show on podcast.
Lori
Thanks, Jennifer! Just added it to my wishlist! I also miss him...
Kelly ~ It took me 10 years to lose 10 pounds
I got these books too and can't wait to read them! Thanks Jennifer!
Robert
I normally don't read a lot of fiction books but romance and erotica are usually impossible to put down and since the selection from Kindle unlimited is not lacking on them I could almost read one per day