The Must-Read Christmas Books for a Cozy Holiday Season (For Kids & Adults)

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to curl up with a good book and enjoy the festive spirit. Whether you are looking for a classic tale, a cozy mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a fun story for kids, there are plenty of Christmas books to choose from. In this blog post, I will share some of the best Christmas books for all ages and tastes.

One of the most famous and beloved Christmas books is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This timeless story follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cold-hearted businessman, who is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve. They show him the past, present, and future consequences of his actions, and teach him the true meaning of Christmas. A Christmas Carol is a powerful and moving book that captures the essence of the holiday season.

If you are looking for a more modern and humorous Christmas book, you might enjoy Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems. This is a hilarious and interactive book for kids, where the reader has to stop the pigeon from driving Santa’s sleigh. The pigeon is very persistent and tries to persuade the reader with various arguments and tricks, but the reader has to say no. This book is a great way to have fun with your children and make them laugh.

Another Christmas book that I recommend is The Usual Santas by various authors. This is a collection of short stories that feature crime and mystery with a Christmas twist. You will find stories by some of the best writers in the genre, such as Helene Tursten, Martin Limón, and Peter Lovesey. The stories range from dark and suspenseful to light and humorous, but they all have one thing in common: Santa Claus. Whether he is a suspect, a victim, a witness, or a sleuth, Santa is always involved in some way.

The Top 20 Christmas Books of All Time

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This classic novella tells the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man transformed by visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Dickens masterfully blends social commentary with a heartwarming tale of redemption, making this book a perennial favorite that captures the spirit of Christmas.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss’s whimsical rhymes and vibrant illustrations bring to life the Grinch, a grumpy creature who tries to steal Christmas from the cheerful Whos of Whoville. This delightful story is a reminder of the true meaning of the season: love and togetherness, not material gifts.

3. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This enchanting picture book takes readers on a magical train journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. With its beautiful illustrations and themes of belief and wonder, it has become a beloved tale for children and adults alike. It’s perfect for a cozy read-aloud by the fire.

4. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

In this poignant autobiographical short story, Capote recounts a childhood Christmas spent baking fruitcakes with an elderly cousin. This bittersweet tale captures the beauty of simple holiday traditions and the power of friendship, making it a reflective and touching read.

5. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

This humorous and satirical novel follows the Kranks, a couple who decide to skip Christmas festivities in favor of a Caribbean cruise—only to face unexpected consequences. Grisham’s witty exploration of holiday expectations and family dynamics is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

6. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

A tale of selflessness and love, this short story tells of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts. Its heartfelt message and surprise twist have made it a cherished classic of the season.

7. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This humorous and touching story follows the chaos caused when the Herdmans—the worst kids in town—take over the church’s Christmas pageant. Their unconventional take on the nativity story ultimately brings new meaning to the holiday for everyone involved.

8. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

This sentimental novel tells the story of a young family who moves in with an elderly widow and discovers the true meaning of Christmas through their interactions. Its themes of love, loss, and family make it an uplifting and emotional holiday read.

9. The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien

A delightful collection of letters Tolkien wrote to his children, pretending to be Father Christmas. Each letter is filled with tales of the North Pole, whimsical illustrations, and humorous anecdotes, offering a glimpse into Tolkien’s creativity and family life.

10. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

This wordless picture book tells the magical story of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life, leading to an unforgettable nighttime adventure. With its enchanting illustrations and bittersweet ending, it’s a timeless holiday tale of wonder and imagination.

11. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This beloved novel follows the lives of the four March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate growing up during the Civil War. Christmas plays a central role in their story, with themes of love, sacrifice, and family bonding, making it a cherished holiday read.

12. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann

The original tale behind the famous ballet tells the story of Marie, a young girl whose Christmas gift, a nutcracker, comes to life and battles the evil Mouse King. Hoffmann’s enchanting story weaves fantasy, adventure, and holiday magic in a way that has captivated audiences for generations.

13. Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

A classic whodunit by the queen of mystery, this novel features Hercule Poirot solving a murder that occurs during a family gathering at Christmastime. With its intricate plot and festive setting, it’s a perfect read for fans of cozy mysteries during the holidays.

14. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

This iconic poem, also known as A Visit from St. Nicholas, captures the magic of Christmas Eve through its vivid imagery and rhyming couplets. Its timeless depiction of Santa Claus and his reindeer has become a cornerstone of Christmas tradition.

15. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

Gaby Summerhill invites her family to a Christmas wedding, keeping the groom's identity a surprise. This heartwarming novel combines romance, family drama, and holiday spirit, offering a cozy and engaging tale for the season.

16. The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

This holiday adventure follows journalist Tom Langdon on a cross-country train journey during Christmastime. Along the way, he encounters quirky passengers, rekindles old flames, and discovers the magic of the season. Baldacci’s storytelling is both humorous and heartfelt, making it a delightful holiday read.

17. The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere

In this touching novel, a grieving woman named Patricia opens her heart to a foster child, rediscovering the healing power of love and hope during the holiday season. Part of VanLiere’s Christmas Hope series, it’s a story that emphasizes compassion and faith.

18. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

This moving story follows the intertwined lives of a man questioning his life choices and a young boy trying to buy a pair of shoes for his dying mother on Christmas Eve. Its message of kindness and the importance of cherishing loved ones resonates deeply with readers.

19. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

While not strictly a Christmas story, this beloved fantasy features a memorable visit from Father Christmas and themes of hope and redemption. It’s a magical tale of four siblings who discover a wintry world called Narnia and embark on a journey to defeat an evil witch.

20. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

This enchanting fairy tale follows Gerda’s quest to rescue her friend Kai from the Snow Queen’s icy palace. With its wintry setting and themes of bravery, love, and friendship, it’s a timeless story that pairs beautifully with the holiday season.

These Christmas books can be both for kids and for adults and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

See also: 20 Most Loved Christmas Movies to Watch This Holiday Season

The Best Christmas Books for Kids

Are are looking for  Christmas books just for kids? Here is a list of some of the best Christmas books just for kids, based on the results of my search:

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
2. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
3. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
4. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems
5. The Christmas Chronicles by Tim Slover
6. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
7. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
8. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
9. The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
10. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Related post: 15 Best Young Adult Books That Will Stay with You Long After You Finish Reading Them

The Best Christmas Books for Adults

There are many Christmas books that are only for adults. Based on the results of my search, here are some of the books that are frequently mentioned and recommended as the best Christmas books for adults:

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This is a classic story that follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cold-hearted businessman, who is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve. They show him the past, present, and future consequences of his actions, and teach him the true meaning of Christmas.

2. The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder

This is a book that is set in Norway, where a boy named Joachim finds a magic advent calendar that tells him the story of a girl named Elisabet, who travels back in time to witness the birth of Jesus. Each day, Joachim reads a new chapter of the story, and learns more about the history and culture of different countries and periods.

3. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

This is a book about a family who moves in with a widow and discovers a mysterious box containing the answer to the true meaning of Christmas.

4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This is a book about a chaotic family of six children who take over the annual Christmas pageant and turn it into a hilarious and unforgettable event.

5. The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett

This is a book that illustrates the classic song of the same name with beautiful and detailed pictures of a young woman’s gifts from her true love.

6. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

This is a book about a couple who decides to skip Christmas and go on a cruise, but faces unexpected consequences from their friends, neighbors, and family.

7. The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

This is a book about a journalist who takes a cross-country train ride to Los Angeles for Christmas, and encounters a variety of characters, adventures, and surprises along the way.

8. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

This is a short story that tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della, who are very poor but love each other very much. They want to buy each other a nice Christmas gift, but they have no money. They decide to sell their most valuable possessions, Jim’s watch and Della’s hair, to buy a chain for the watch and a set of combs for the hair. However, they discover that they have bought useless gifts, as they have sacrificed the very things they wanted to adorn. They realize that their love is the greatest gift of all.

9. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

This is a short story that tells the story of a seven-year-old boy and his elderly cousin, who are best friends and live in a rural town in the 1930s. They share a bond over their love for Christmas, and every year they make fruitcakes, buy presents, and decorate a tree. They also fly kites and drink whiskey, and enjoy their simple but happy life. However, their friendship is soon to end, as the boy is sent away to a military school, and the cousin dies. The boy remembers their last Christmas together, and cherishes their memory.

10. Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

This is a book that is a sequel to the author’s famous novel Cold Comfort Farm. It contains four short stories that are set in different seasons, but the last one is a Christmas story that features the eccentric characters of the farm and their hilarious antics. It is a witty and satirical book that mocks the rural life and the literary clichés of the time.