A Festive Collection of Holiday Novels to Get You in the Mood for Christmas is a curated list of books that capture the essence of the holiday season. From classic tales like A Christmas Carol and Christmas with the Queen, to modern romances such as How My Neighbor Stole Christmas and The Holiday Cottage, this collection has something for every reader. Whether you prefer mystery, romance or nostalgia, these novels are sure to get you in the mood for Christmas.
The holidays are supposed to feel magical, but let’s be honest—it’s not always easy to summon the Christmas spirit, especially when December has barely begun and your to-do list is longer than Santa’s naughty list. Enter books: the ultimate festive cheat code. Whether you’re a Christmas super fan or identify with the Grinch, there’s nothing like settling down under a cozy blanket (chestnuts roasting on an open fire, optional) with a great book.
Classic Holiday Reads
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
No Christmas book list is complete without this timeless classic. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol tells the unforgettable story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose miserly ways give way to redemption after a series of ghostly visits. Its enduring message about the power of kindness and the impact of our actions resonates just as much today as it did in Dickens’ time. Revisit your own “Christmas pasts” alongside Scrooge as he embarks on his transformative journey.
Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
Take a trip back to a royal Christmas at Sandringham House, where a young Queen Elizabeth II faces the end of a turbulent 1952—a year marked by the loss of her father and her ascent to the throne at just 25. Tasked with crafting the perfect words for the annual Christmas Day radio broadcast, the Queen wrestles with the weight of her role.
Holiday Mysteries
The Twelve Days of Murder by Andreina Cordani
Had enough of holiday romance novels? Treat yourself to some post-feast intrigue with this cozy festive whodunnit. The Murder Masquerade Society began as a grisly game among university friends—until one of them vanished. Now, eight years later, the surviving members reunite for a “Reunion Masquerade” in Scotland, each stepping into new identities like Lady Partridge, Doctor Swan and Lord Leapworth.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Christmas practically begs for a bit of nostalgia, so why not spend it sleuthing alongside Agatha Christie’s iconic Hercule Poirot? While the rest of us lounge by the fire, Poirot finds himself summoned to Gorston Hall, where holiday cheer has been replaced by the aftermath of a grisly murder.
The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict
Puzzle-setter Edie O’Sullivan receives a Christmas gift straight out of a nightmare: a jigsaw box containing pieces that, once assembled, reveal a chilling murder scene, accompanied by a cryptic clue. With a series of murders planned for Christmas Eve, Edie must race against time to solve the deadly puzzle and stop the killer in their tracks.
Modern Holiday Romances
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Megan Quinn
Cole has one goal for Christmas: hide away from it all while the rest of the town dives headfirst into holiday cheer. Unfortunately for him, his plans are swiftly upended when his nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her aunt—and proves impossible to ignore.
The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan
This enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance serves up enough heat and holiday spirit to thaw even the frostiest hearts. This book offers a more lighthearted take on Christmas, focusing on romance and relationships rather than mystery or suspense.
