Summary: In today’s article, I have compiled 20 of the best Xmas books to fill your season with warmth and joy. There are my top 3 choices:
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Christmas books capture the magic and warmth of the season, from timeless classics like A Christmas Carol to heartwarming tales like The Polar Express. They bring joy, inspire the holiday spirit, and create moments of togetherness. Whether revisiting old favorites or discovering new ones, these stories keep the magic of Christmas alive.
TOP 20: Best Xmas Books
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
- The Noel Bridge by Jenny Hale
- Since We've No Place to Go: A Very Merry Romantic Comedy by Kate Watson
- Window Shopping: An Opposites-Attract Christmas Romance by Tessa Bailey
- The Fake Wedding Project: A Novel by Pippa Grant
- The Asheville Christmas Wedding by Hope Holloway
- One Day in December: A Novel by Josie Silver
- The Christmas Bookshop: A Novel by Jenny Colgan
- The Christmas Tree Farm: TikTok Made Me Buy It by Laurie Gilmore
- The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
- Frozen: Olaf's Night Before Christmas by Disney Book Group
- If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
- The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll
- There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro
- Cooking with the Grinch (Dr. Seuss) (Step into Reading) by Tish Rabe
- Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
- Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
1. A Christmas Carol
- Author: Charles Dickens
- About: A miserly old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, is transformed after visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
- Style of Writing: Victorian prose with rich descriptions and dialogue.
- Length: Approximately 28,000 words.
- Year Written: 1843.
- Emotional Impact: Profound; a timeless story of redemption and the true spirit of Christmas.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; some archaic language typical of the Victorian era.
- Why Read It: This classic defines Christmas literature and reminds readers of kindness, generosity, and transformation.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- About: A grumpy Grinch despises Christmas and tries to steal it from the Whos, only to discover its true meaning.
- Style of Writing: Rhythmic and whimsical verse with playful language and illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 1,400 words.
- Year Written: 1957.
- Emotional Impact: Heartwarming; a fun yet meaningful lesson about love, community, and joy.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; perfect for children and enjoyable for adults.
- Why Read It: A beloved classic that celebrates the true spirit of Christmas beyond material gifts.
3. The Polar Express
- Author: Chris Van Allsburg
- About: A young boy takes a magical journey on the Polar Express to the North Pole, rediscovering his belief in the magic of Christmas.
- Style of Writing: Narrative prose with beautifully detailed illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 1,000 words.
- Year Written: 1985.
- Emotional Impact: Enchanting; evokes nostalgia, wonder, and belief in the spirit of Christmas.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; accessible for young readers.
- Why Read It: Captures the innocence and wonder of childhood belief in Christmas magic.
4. The Night Before Christmas
- Author: Clement Clarke Moore
- About: A classic poem describing a father’s encounter with St. Nicholas as he delivers gifts on Christmas Eve.
- Style of Writing: Rhyming verse with vivid and whimsical imagery.
- Length: Approximately 500 words.
- Year Written: 1823.
- Emotional Impact: Joyful; sparks excitement and anticipation for Christmas.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; suitable for all ages.
- Why Read It: A timeless tradition that has shaped how we picture Santa Claus.
5. The Noel Bridge
- Author: Jenny Hale
- About: A heartwarming Christmas romance centered on love, second chances, and holiday magic.
- Style of Writing: Contemporary romance with heartfelt and descriptive storytelling.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2020.
- Emotional Impact: Warm and touching; evokes love, nostalgia, and the coziness of the holidays.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; engaging and emotional.
- Why Read It: A cozy and uplifting holiday read for romance lovers.
6. Since We've No Place to Go: A Very Merry Romantic Comedy
- Author: Kate Watson
- About: A fun and festive romantic comedy about unexpected love and holiday chaos.
- Style of Writing: Lighthearted, witty, and engaging.
- Length: Approximately 75,000 words.
- Year Written: 2022.
- Emotional Impact: Delightful and uplifting; perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; a fun, breezy read.
- Why Read It: A charming rom-com that brings laughter and romance during the holidays.
7. Window Shopping: An Opposites-Attract Christmas Romance
- Author: Tessa Bailey
- About: A woman trying to rebuild her life gets a second chance through an unexpected holiday romance.
- Style of Writing: Contemporary romance with a mix of humor and depth.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2021.
- Emotional Impact: Sweet yet steamy; a story of redemption and love.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; an entertaining and emotional read.
- Why Read It: A heartfelt and romantic holiday escape with lovable characters.
8. The Fake Wedding Project: A Novel
- Author: Pippa Grant
- About: A fake wedding arrangement turns into something real in this festive rom-com.
- Style of Writing: Humorous, light, and fast-paced.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year Written: 2022.
- Emotional Impact: Fun and feel-good; full of humor and romance.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; perfect for casual holiday reading.
- Why Read It: A hilarious and charming fake-dating romance with Christmas cheer.
9. The Asheville Christmas Wedding
- Author: Hope Holloway
- About: A family reunion, unexpected romance, and the magic of Christmas come together in this festive story.
- Style of Writing: Heartwarming and emotional with a cozy feel.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year Written: 2021.
- Emotional Impact: Nostalgic and touching; emphasizes love and family bonds.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; a great escape for the holiday season.
- Why Read It: A feel-good family drama with romance and Christmas spirit.
10. One Day in December: A Novel
- Author: Josie Silver
- About: A chance encounter on a snowy December day leads to a decade-long love story.
- Style of Writing: Contemporary romance with emotional depth.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year Written: 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Deep and bittersweet; explores love, fate, and timing.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; emotional but accessible.
- Why Read It: A beautifully written love story that spans years and seasons.
11. The Christmas Bookshop: A Novel
- Author: Jenny Colgan
- About: A woman in need of a fresh start finds herself managing a struggling bookshop in Edinburgh during Christmas.
- Style of Writing: Warm, cozy, and descriptive.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year Written: 2021.
- Emotional Impact: Comforting and uplifting; a story about self-discovery and romance.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; ideal for a holiday escape.
- Why Read It: A must-read for book lovers who enjoy charming holiday settings.
12. The Christmas Tree Farm: TikTok Made Me Buy It
- Author: Laurie Gilmore
- About: A heartwarming romance set on a Christmas tree farm, full of festive charm.
- Style of Writing: Sweet and lighthearted romance.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2022.
- Emotional Impact: Cozy and feel-good; perfect for Christmas lovers.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; a delightful holiday read.
- Why Read It: A fun, festive romance that captures the magic of small-town Christmas.
13. The Christmas Train
- Author: David Baldacci
- About: A journalist takes a cross-country train journey during Christmas and experiences unexpected adventures.
- Style of Writing: Engaging storytelling with a mix of drama, romance, and humor.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year Written: 2002.
- Emotional Impact: Heartwarming and nostalgic; a charming holiday journey.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; a rich and immersive narrative.
- Why Read It: A unique Christmas story with adventure, mystery, and romance.
14. Frozen: Olaf's Night Before Christmas
- Author: Disney Book Group
- About: A retelling of The Night Before Christmas, featuring Olaf from Frozen.
- Style of Writing: Rhyming and playful, with fun illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 500 words.
- Year Written: 2017.
- Emotional Impact: Fun and lighthearted; great for kids.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; ideal for young readers.
- Why Read It: A delightful holiday twist on a classic Christmas story.
15. If You Give a Dog a Donut
- Author: Laura Numeroff
- About: A playful story about a dog's never-ending requests, similar to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
- Style of Writing: Rhythmic and fun with engaging illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 500 words.
- Year Written: 2011.
- Emotional Impact: Whimsical and entertaining.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; perfect for kids.
- Why Read It: A fun and humorous read for little ones.
16. The Biggest Snowman Ever
- Author: Steven Kroll
- About: Two little mice compete to build the biggest snowman, only to realize teamwork is the key to success.
- Style of Writing: Simple, engaging storytelling with colorful illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 700 words.
- Year Written: 2005.
- Emotional Impact: Lighthearted and fun; teaches teamwork and cooperation.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; great for young children.
- Why Read It: A charming winter-themed book that teaches valuable lessons in a fun way.
17. There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!
- Author: Lucille Colandro
- About: A twist on There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, featuring a lady who swallows various winter-related items.
- Style of Writing: Rhyming, repetitive, and humorous.
- Length: Approximately 500 words.
- Year Written: 2003.
- Emotional Impact: Silly and entertaining; perfect for making kids laugh.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; great for early readers.
- Why Read It: A fun and wacky winter tale that keeps kids engaged.
18. Cooking with the Grinch (Dr. Seuss) (Step into Reading)
- Author: Tish Rabe
- About: A simple, easy-to-read book that combines fun Christmas recipes with the beloved Grinch character.
- Style of Writing: Beginner-friendly with step-by-step instructions.
- Length: Approximately 500 words.
- Year Written: 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Playful and engaging; encourages kids to participate in holiday cooking.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; designed for early readers and young chefs.
- Why Read It: A great way to mix reading and hands-on holiday fun with kids.
19. Snowmen at Night
- Author: Caralyn Buehner
- About: A creative story that imagines what snowmen do when people are asleep.
- Style of Writing: Rhyming and playful with vivid illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 750 words.
- Year Written: 2002.
- Emotional Impact: Magical and fun; captures childhood wonder.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; perfect for bedtime reading.
- Why Read It: A whimsical winter tale that sparks imagination.
20. Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
- Author: Diane deGroat
- About: A humorous and heartfelt story about forgiveness and friendship.
- Style of Writing: Simple and relatable, with engaging illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 1,000 words.
- Year Written: 1996.
- Emotional Impact: Funny yet meaningful; teaches kindness and forgiveness.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; great for early elementary readers.
- Why Read It: A fun and engaging story that teaches valuable life lessons.
Conclusion
Christmas books are a wonderful way to bring warmth, joy, and a little holiday magic into the season. Whether you're looking for timeless classics, cozy romances, or fun children's stories, there's something for everyone. Personally, I think there are three must-reads that truly capture the spirit of Christmas. A Christmas Carol is a powerful reminder of kindness and redemption, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! proves that the holiday spirit is about more than just presents, and The Polar Express beautifully captures the magic of believing. These stories have meant so much to me over the years, and I’m sure they’ll make your Christmas even more special too.
