Our website is supported by our readers. There may be affiliate links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases(at no extra cost to you).
Christmas has a way of slowing us down. The lights, the quiet nights, the warm cups of something sweet — it all makes a book feel extra special. If you’re searching for Christmas books, you’re probably looking to give someone that cozy moment. A story they can curl up with. A pause in the middle of a busy season. Below are books that bring comfort, joy, and a little holiday magic. Perfect for gifting — or keeping for yourself.
Our Top Christmas Books
1. Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
This is a perfect pick for someone who enjoys a little wit and mischief in their holiday reading. Hogfather is Pratchett at his clever, sideways best—where Christmas magic gets a darkly funny twist and Death himself ends up filling in for the Discworld version of Santa. It’s playful, sharp, and wonderfully odd. Give this to the reader who loves imagination, humor, and a story that doesn’t play by the rules.
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
If you’re gifting to someone who loves tradition and heartwarming holiday stories, this is a classic that never loses its magic. Dickens tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge—a lonely, cold-hearted man who’s given a chance to rediscover kindness and connection through visits from three unforgettable spirits. It’s cozy, reflective, and full of hope. A perfect reminder of what really matters during the season, and a story worth revisiting every year.
3. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
This is a fun choice for someone who’s ever dreamed of opting out of the holiday madness. Grisham follows a couple who decide to skip Christmas entirely and take a cruise instead—but their small town has other plans. It’s light, witty, and a little bit chaotic in the best way. Gift this to the person who loves holiday humor, neighborhood drama, and a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
4. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Here’s a beautiful pick for someone who appreciates quiet stories that linger long after the last page. Set in a small Irish town at Christmastime, it follows Bill Furlong as he stumbles into a heartbreaking truth that tests his courage and compassion. The writing is gentle, spare, and emotionally rich. This is a gift for the thoughtful reader—the one who finds meaning in small acts of kindness and quiet bravery.
5. The Gift by Cecilia Ahern
This is a lovely choice for someone who enjoys stories with a bit of magic and heart. It follows Lou, a man always rushing and rarely present with the people who love him most. When a mysterious encounter gives him a chance to see what really matters, everything changes. It’s warm, emotional, and reflective—ideal for anyone who could use a gentle reminder to slow down and treasure the time they have.
6. The Deal of a Lifetime by Frederick Backman
This is a touching choice for someone who appreciates stories that feel honest and deeply human. Backman tells the tale of a father trying to make sense of his mistakes and the love he struggled to show, all while facing a heartbreaking choice that could change a little girl’s future. It’s short, emotional, and beautifully written. Give this to a reader who values quiet reflection, second chances, and meaningful holiday reading.
7. Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
This is a sweet, gentle gift for someone who loves stories about healing and the quiet wonder of nature. Marly’s family moves to an old farmhouse after the war, and slowly, as the seasons change, her father begins to soften and return to himself. The book captures the magic in ordinary moments—sunlight on snow, maple sap rising, hope blooming again. A warm, thoughtful read for the holiday season.
8. A Home for Christmas by Katie Eagan Schenck
A wonderful pick for someone who loves holiday romances filled with warmth and second chances. Brad is a former Marine searching for belonging, while Shelly is doing her best to protect her heart after a painful divorce. When their lives cross, what begins as convenience slowly turns into something deeply comforting. This story offers cozy small-town charm, healing, and the kind of love that feels like coming home—perfect holiday reading.
9. Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
This is a charming choice for someone who loves holiday magic and storytelling with heart. Each letter and illustration Tolkien created for his children brings the North Pole to life—full of playful mishaps, snowy adventures, and whimsical characters like the unforgettable Polar Bear. It has a warm, handmade feel that makes it perfect for sharing aloud. A lovely, nostalgic gift for families, dreamers, and anyone who still believes in a little Christmas wonder.
10. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Here’s a great pick for the mystery lover in your life—the one who enjoys a clever puzzle and a bit of drama wrapped in holiday cheer. When a wealthy, sharp-tongued patriarch winds up murdered at a tense family Christmas gathering, Poirot steps in to untangle the secrets, resentments, and motives hiding beneath the tinsel. It’s atmospheric, witty, and satisfyingly twisty. A cozy fireside read with just the right amount of intrigue.
11. Christmas on Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
This is an ideal gift for someone who loves family-centered holiday tales with a touch of drama and plenty of warmth. The Quinn family is preparing for Christmas at their beloved inn, but unexpected visitors and complicated pasts stir up old emotions and new chaos. It’s cozy, charming, and full of that small-town holiday atmosphere. Give this to a reader who enjoys heartfelt stories about families trying their best to come together during the season.
12. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
A beautiful choice for someone who appreciates quiet, nostalgic holiday stories. Capote shares a tender memory from his childhood—baking fruitcakes with his elderly cousin, creating a tradition filled with love, simplicity, and gentle humor. The writing is soft and heartfelt, and this edition’s watercolor illustrations and included audio narration make it even more special. It’s a gift meant to be read slowly, savored, and shared, year after year.
13. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Give this to someone who loves their holidays with a good dose of humor and a little irreverence. Sedaris collects funny, sharp, and sometimes absurd stories about elves, awkward family traditions, and all the messy expectations wrapped up in the season. It’s clever, quick to read, and full of those laugh-out-loud moments that feel even better by the fire. Perfect for the friend who likes their Christmas with a wink—not a bow.
14. The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore
This is a great pick for someone who likes their holiday stories a little wild and delightfully offbeat. In a small Florida town, Christmas gets turned upside down when a well-meaning (but not-so-bright) angel tries to grant a holiday miracle—with chaotic, ridiculous results. Expect humor, oddball characters, and plenty of surprises. It’s playful, irreverent, and perfect for the reader who appreciates Christmas with a quirky twist.
15. You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs
A perfect gift for someone who appreciates holiday stories that are messy, funny, and deeply human. Burroughs looks back on his Christmases with a mix of chaos, hilarity, heartbreak, and odd beauty—whether he’s waking up next to Santa or trying to rebuild joy from scratch. The tone swings from laugh-out-loud to quietly tender, sometimes in the same page. It’s for the reader who loves honesty more than perfection, especially at Christmas.
16. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
This is a wonderful gift for someone who enjoys heartfelt holiday stories with plenty of humor along the way. When the unruly Herdman kids take over the town’s Christmas pageant, everyone expects disaster—but what unfolds is unexpectedly moving and full of genuine wonder. It’s messy, funny, and surprisingly touching. A great pick for families, teachers, or anyone who loves stories that remind us how the Christmas spirit can show up in the most unlikely places.
17. A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
A lovely gift for someone who enjoys cozy, heartwarming holiday stories with a touch of small-town magic. When Oswald T. Campbell moves south to spend what he believes may be his last Christmas, he finds himself surrounded by kindness, quirky neighbors, and an unforgettable little redbird named Jack. The story is gentle and full of hope, offering that soft, comforting feeling of belonging. Perfect for a reader who wants a warm, uplifting winter read.
18. Landline by Rainbow Rowell
This is a wonderful choice for someone who loves modern love stories with a bit of magic woven in. Georgie discovers a phone that lets her call her husband in the past, giving her a chance to reconsider the moments that shaped their marriage. It’s funny, heartfelt, and deeply relatable—especially for anyone who’s ever wondered how relationships grow and change over time. Gift this to the romantic who believes love is worth fighting for, even when it’s complicated.
19. The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
A thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys historical fiction with emotional depth—and a touch of time-travel intrigue. Kivrin travels from a future Oxford back to the 1300s, only to arrive in the midst of a devastating epidemic. The story moves between two timelines, each facing its own crisis, and explores courage, compassion, and what it means to care for one another during the darkest moments. It’s immersive, moving, and beautifully told.
20. A Little House Christmas Treasury by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This is a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys old-fashioned Christmas charm and simple, meaningful celebrations. The book gathers holiday moments from Laura’s childhood on the prairie—handmade gifts, cozy fires, family songs, and the joy found in small things. With Garth Williams’ classic illustrations in full color, it feels warm and nostalgic. Perfect for reading aloud or savoring with a blanket and cocoa, it brings back the quieter, sweeter side of Christmas.
21. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
A classic gift that brings joy to readers of any age. This beloved story of the Grinch, Max, and the cheerful Whos in Who-ville is full of playful rhymes and a heartfelt message about what truly makes Christmas meaningful. Whether shared at bedtime, read aloud as a family tradition, or simply enjoyed quietly with cocoa, it never fails to warm the spirit. A timeless favorite that grows sweeter with every holiday season.
22. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
A perfect pick for someone who loves cozy romance, a bit of comedy, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. Mae finds herself stuck in a time loop, reliving the same snowy Christmas getaway over and over until she can figure out how to make her life—and her heart—right. It’s fun, flirty, and full of warm winter vibes. Gift this to the reader who enjoys love stories that feel hopeful, spirited, and just a little enchanted.
23. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
A sweet choice for someone who loves friends-to-lovers romance with plenty of cozy winter charm. Stella is trying to save her beloved Christmas tree farm, and one tiny lie—claiming she already has a boyfriend—turns into a big holiday complication. Enter Luka, her steady, quietly lovable best friend, who agrees to play along. What follows is warm, funny, and full of spark. Perfect for a reader who wants a soft, snowy love story that feels like a hug.
24. Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan
This is a beautiful gift for someone who believes in the quiet power of stories to change lives. Nora and Simon, longtime booksellers in a small English village, try to save their struggling shop by secretly delivering books to community members who need a little hope. It’s tender, warm, and full of small moments of kindness that ripple outward. Perfect for book lovers, gentle holiday hearts, and anyone who finds comfort in a well-told story.
25. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
A classic choice for creating or continuing cherished holiday traditions. This timeless poem, paired with enchanting vintage-style illustrations, captures the excitement and wonder of Christmas Eve as families wait for Santa’s arrival. With its beautiful hardcover and foldout artwork, it’s a book meant to be held, shared, and reread each year. Give this to a family, a child, or anyone who loves a bit of holiday magic told in the warm glow of tradition.
Share this post with your friends!