As the year comes to a close, there is no better time to cozy up with a book that celebrates the season. Whether it’s a Christmas romance, a probing character study, or a fun whodunit, there are so many books out there that are (at least partially) inspired by the holidays. Read on for a list of some of my personal favorites.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
We might as well start off with the classic Christmas book, right? There have been so many iterations (whether in print, film, or television) of the haunting tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and that fateful Christmas Eve night when he encounters the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Yet, in my opinion, you can never really beat the original source material. Dickens introduces such memorable characters—not to mention a masterful blend of terror and joy—in a relatively short package. But it’s one that proves to be a gift that keeps on giving almost two hundred years later.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
If you like a little mystery with your Christmas spirit, it’s hard to beat this splendid entry in the Hercule Poirot series. Here we find the titular detective on the case after the wealthy but notoriously mean-spirited Simeon Lee invites his four sons (and their wives) home for Christmas—only to tell them that he’s cutting off their allowances and writing them out of his will. When Lee is found murdered, there are plenty of suspects. It will take Poirot’s brilliant mind to solve the case, but not without plenty of classic Christie twists and turns first.
“A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote
This short story is loosely based on Capote’s own childhood memories while growing up in a small town in Alabama and centers on a young boy, Buddy, and his relationship with a much older cousin. It’s a touching story of friendship between two people who seemingly could not be more different but who bond over the holiday traditions that endure. It’s nostalgic, it’s sweet, and it’s very likely to bring back many readers’ own long-forgotten Christmas memories.
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
The literary genius who brought us The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy also dedicated himself to writing long, beautifully imagined letters to his children in response to their letters to Father Christmas. Written between the years of 1920 and 1943, this collection features all of Tolkien’s fanciful letters as Father Christmas regales his audience with stories of his adventures in the North Pole, complete with reindeer and even polar bears. It’s the kind of book that offers something completely different to children and adults every time.
A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd
If you’ve ever watched the movie by the same name, you’ll have a good idea of what you’re in for in this hilarious tale of poor Ralphie Parker, who just wants a Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range BB gun for Christmas. Interestingly, the movie actually came from two different books: In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash (1966), with a few side plots thrown in from Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories: And Other Disasters (1971). After the success of the movie, those two books were combined into one volume, collectively entitled A Christmas Story. While the story may focus on Ralphie’s desperate bid for his dream present, the themes of family, adolescence, and pure imagination also shine through.
And because no “best of” book list would be complete without some children’s Christmas classics, here are some favorites that were written for the younger crowd but still hold so much joy, no matter what your age may be:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
The book that made wardrobes magical and sparked countless children’s curiosities about Turkish delight, this classic novel details the adventures of siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie as they stumble upon a secret portal to the magical land of Narnia that is currently ruled by the evil White Witch. With the help of various mythical and talking animals, including the noble lion Aslan, they fight to save Narnia—and themselves. Lewis created a compulsively rereadable novel, and its legacy endures to this day.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
I cannot tell you how many times this book was read in my house when my two boys were little, but conservative estimates may put it in the triple digits. It’s so beloved for a reason, though. The engrossing prose, gorgeous pictures, and bittersweet ending make for a lovely tribute to the magic and spirit of Christmas that tends to dissipate as we get older—but never truly goes away.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Another absolute favorite in my household, this sweet and simple tale tells the story of Peter, a little boy who goes out to enjoy the season’s very first snowfall. From making unique footprints to snow angels to sliding down a hill, Peter’s adventures are uncomplicated—yet Keats’s simple prose perfectly captures the sounds (“Crunch, crunch, crunch, his feet sank into the snow.”) and joys of such a day. The unique illustrations, including Peter’s iconic red snowsuit, somehow make a charming tale even more exquisite.
Andrea Moran lives outside of Nashville with her husband and two kids. She’s a professional copywriter and editor who loves all things books. Find her on LinkedIn.
