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Books/book club

Looking for a Christmas read

(66 Posts)
Daffonanna Sat 29-Nov-25 09:58:08

Every December I read or listen to A Christmas Carol . I like to immerse myself in Charles Dickens journeys through the Victorian Winter in all its variety . I enjoy a good book that is set in this time of year , but they all seem to be fluffy sugar coated romances with not much narrative and tediously predictable endings. Has anyone read anything a little more immersive , seasonal without the schmalz? I found " The housekeeper " Leona Grace , which is a bit sugary, but rather more spookily satisfying . "Also Miss Marley" Rebecca Mascull . Type Christmas fiction in any forum , I find that none of these show up . Any ideas ?

LaTroisette Mon 01-Dec-25 17:35:36

Drive Your Plow Over The Bones of The Dead by Olga Tokarczuk. A very wintry whodunnit

Aveline Mon 01-Dec-25 17:51:54

I've been busy downloading some of these suggestions

Musicgirl Mon 01-Dec-25 18:36:44

keepcalmandcavachon

I tend towards an unsettling read for this season, a bit of contrast to all the frivolitygrin, so would recommend MR James - The Turn Of The Screw, The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins, The Small Hand by Susan Hill or Sophie Hannah's The Orphan Choir. The dark afternoons & twinkly lights are perfect these I think.

An interesting list but The Turn of the Screw is by Henry James.

keepcalmandcavachon Mon 01-Dec-25 19:56:17

Musicgirl

keepcalmandcavachon

I tend towards an unsettling read for this season, a bit of contrast to all the frivolitygrin, so would recommend MR James - The Turn Of The Screw, The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins, The Small Hand by Susan Hill or Sophie Hannah's The Orphan Choir. The dark afternoons & twinkly lights are perfect these I think.

An interesting list but The Turn of the Screw is by Henry James.

Just settling down with Fatherland by Joanne Harrisgrin

LadyO Mon 01-Dec-25 21:39:20

Re The Land In Winter… It’s fabulous. I have just listened to it on Audible and loved it - so descriptive and nostalgic.

ecci53 Mon 01-Dec-25 22:05:45

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. Set at Christmas in 2 different time periods. It gripping, amazing and unexpected. It's been my Christmas book for years.

Tanjamaltija Tue 02-Dec-25 10:31:14

Change tack. Completely. www.amazon.co.uk/Hogfather-Discworld-Novel-20-Novels/dp/0552167584?tag=gransnetforum-21

m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91y5rcpJZbL._SY342_.jpg

Faxgran Sun 07-Dec-25 20:35:23

It’s a really good book Terribull. I read it in the recent cold snap — chilled me to my bones! The Booker winner must be good to outclass Miller.

Allira Sun 07-Dec-25 20:44:16

Moth62

There is a Christmas novel by Miss Read. It’s called No Holly for Miss Quinn. I absolutely love all her novels. I have one by my bedside constantly. Ideal for just before going to sleep.

I enjoyed those books too, but may have missed (or forgotten) that one.

A Very Merry Murder by Kate Wells, one of the Malvern Murder Mysteries.

I should revisit A Christmas Carol, by Dickens, the classic Christmas story.

Elrel Sun 07-Dec-25 20:58:14

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham begins with someone who does NOT want to decorate his house to fit in with the neighbours’ illuminated displays. A very good read.

Allira Sun 07-Dec-25 21:11:36

Not a Christmassy book but I've just started reading Here one Moment by Liane Moriarty.

A page turner so far!

Deedaa Sun 07-Dec-25 21:46:15

My December reading always includes The Children Of Green Knowe, The Bow Of Delights, and The Dark Is Rising. A Christmas Carol finds its way in at some point too.

Retread Mon 15-Dec-25 09:22:01

I was browsing magazines online and "Another Litlle Christmas Murder" by Lorna Nicholl Morgan was recommended as a Christmas read. It's currently 99p on Amazon in Kindle format.

"A classic country house mystery republished for the first time in nearly seventy years. Perfect for fans of Murder at the Old Vicarage and Partners in Crime.

When Dilys Hughes finds herself snowbound in the middle of a bleak and lonely stretch of Yorkshire, she has no option but to accept help from passing motorist Inigo Brown, who is on his way to visit his uncle.

Arriving at his uncle's remote country house, Wintry Wold, the couple encounters a less than warm welcome from Inigo's new young aunt, Theresa. Why is she reluctant to let Inigo see his uncle, and is he really as ill as they are told?"

fancyflowers Mon 15-Dec-25 09:34:10

I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet but you could try it.

Reubenblue Mon 15-Dec-25 09:43:23

Thank you very much for the How Far to Bethlehem recommendation, I put it on my kindle and absolutely loving it!