Best Christmas reads

best christmas reads

There’s something special about sitting down with a festive book in the run up to Christmas, or perhaps a traditionally Christmassy ghost story on Christmas Eve, or just a rip-roaring read to see you through those quiet days between Christmas and New Year. If you need some inspiration, read on (pun intended).

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The Best Run-Up-To-Christmas Read

‘I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day’ by Milly Johnson
This might just be the ultimate Christmassy book. Three unconnected couples are stranded together in a pub right before Christmas. With hints of Maeve Binchey and lots of festive fun (and a few tears) this novel is like a big, warm hug made of paper, and one of our favourite books to read in the run up to Christmas. If you’re not quite feeling the festive mood yet, dive into a Milly Johnson and you soon will.

A Festive Food-Inspired Book

‘The Christmas Chronicles’ by Nigel Slater
Billed as “the story of Nigel Slater’s love for winter” ‘The Christmas Chronicles is as festive as a bowl of sugar plums, with lots of makes, bakes, nostalgia and inspiration along the way. Nigel accompanies you from frost-filled November hedges, through mince-pie-making, through to the big day itself and then lots of leftovers. A must for your kitchen cookbook shelf and just lovely to read in December, too.

“Finally unearthed my copy of today - I didn’t get around to it last year - and have just read his lovely, evocative introduction. Not sure I’ll be making many of the recipes, but I’m certainly looking forward to a thoroughly enjoyable read.” Witzend

The Classic Christmas Novel

‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens
Okay, okay, The Muppets’ version is definitely our favourite, but there’s something a bit magical about reading this Victorian novel in December. Disappear into Victorian London and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas along with Ebenezer Scrooge.

Ghost Stories for Christmas Eve

‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’
Telling ghost stories has long been a traditional Christmas pastime and a collection of short stories means you can sit down (with an optional sherry and mince pie by an optional roaring fire) and read a whole one in one go. Or maybe invite the older grandchildren over for an out-loud storytelling session and scare the wits out of them!

“I think it's become a Christmas tradition for me. I love a ghost story at Christmas.” GrandmaBatty

The best magical book for Christmas

‘The Dark is Rising’ by Susan Cooper
This classic children’s book is just as magical a read for grown-ups, with the action opening on the eve of the shortest day, and spanning the days up to Christmas itself. There’s piles of snow, plenty of magic and lots of ‘darkness’ - a brilliant book for those who love midwinter but aren’t big on saccharine sugar plum fairies.

A Get-Lost-In Book for Twixtmas

‘Beartown’ by Fredrik Backman
Beartown is an isolated village in a Swedish forest. Becoming smaller every year, Beartown is on the cusp of a change that might save it until one shockingly brutal act threatens its future. This snowy page-turner will keep you enthralled from the first page to the last.

“I have bought myself a book for christmas. ‘Lessons in Chemistry’. I don't need to wrap this up, I'll just put it somewhere out of sight and forget about it. It will keep me jolly over the long break.” KarmaLady

A Bit of Christmassy Nostalgia

‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ by Dylan Thomas
This beautiful, nostalgic book describes Dylan Thomas’s own childhood Christmases, in the sort of stunning detail only Thomas can manage. The illustrations are gorgeous, too. A lovely one to read to older grandchildren, or just to savour for yourself in a quiet moment.

A Christmas Comedy

‘How to Survive Christmas’ by Jilly Cooper
Christmas getting on top of you before it’s even begun? Let the hilariously funny Jilly Cooper draw you into her festive world. Join Scarlett O’Aga, husband Noel and their children Holly, Robin, Carol and Nicholas (as well as Noel’s mistress, Ms Stress and the dog - Difficult Patch) for Christmas. Suddenly, yours won’t seem so stressful after all!

Some Festive Non-Fiction for Cold Afternoons

‘The Owl: A Biography’ by Stephen Moss
Discover more about the fascinating lives of owls with this new nature book by Stephen Moss. The perfect non-fiction read for when you feel in need of a blast of fresh air and an escape from the everyday.

Our Favourite Festive Children’s Book

‘Stick Man’ by Julia Donaldson
For something to read to the grandchildren on Christmas Eve, you can’t go far wrong with ‘Stick Man’, who is separated from his family by a passing bird and must get back to his Stick Lady Love and his Stick Children, Three. There’s even an appearance from Santa himself. No, WE’RE not crying at a stick. YOU are.