Little-known Christmas books, perfect for cuddling up by the fireplace with a cup of cocoa.
One of my favorite parts about Christmas is that I finally have time to read as much as I like! Books call to me from the shelves, making it hard to decide which to read first. During Christmas though, you need books that you can relax and enjoy, books that will leave you refreshed and satisfied. In this list, I’ve included a variety of Christmas books, from historical fiction to mystery, from allegory to comedy. Hopefully, this list will introduce you to a new Christmas book that you will come back to year after year. Enjoy!
Keeping Holiday by Starr Meade
Dylan loves the magic of his family’s visits to Holiday every Christmas. Somehow though, he can never manage to bring the wonder of his trip back home with him. When he finds a flyer telling explaining how he can keep Holiday all year, Dylan jumps at the opportunity. On his quest, he learns that the Founder of Holiday must authorize his entrance to the true Holiday. Strangely, he also hears that the Founder must find him first. Following the style of Pilgrim’s Progress, Dylan perseveres through a variety of challenges on his journey to meet the Founder. This allegory will delight children and adults alike, making it the perfect book to read aloud this Christmas!
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The Christmas Doll by Elvira Woodruff
Living in a London workhouse during the mid-1800s, Lucy and Glory only have a few memories left of their parents and home. One memory in particular of a doll called Morning Glory thrills the sisters, and they hope to find their doll again. When sickness strikes the workhouse, the sisters escape and live on the streets until Lucy takes a job at a doll shop. By day, she embroiders hearts on the dolls, and at night, she sneaks her sister into the shop to spend the night. Eventually, the girls find a doll that exactly fits their memories of Morning Glory. Could this be their long lost doll? Some criticize this book for having a predictably happy ending. However, most find it a heartwarming novel for all ages to enjoy. If you need a sweet, short Christmas book to read this season, The Christmas Doll is just the book for you!
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
If you ever need a laugh, this short middle-grade novel is the perfect book for you. It’s sure to restore your sense of humor and Christmas spirit. When the Herdman kids invades the annual Christmas pageant, the whole town is sent into an uproar. The Herdmans smoke, steal from the communion plates, and smash their cat under the garage door. Definitely not the typical candidates for Mary, Joseph, wisemen, and angels in a Christmas pageant. They never have even heard the Christmas story before! Filled with hilarious escapades, this story will make you laugh while also reminding you that the first Christmas was not as perfect as we imagine. Because it’s only about 80 pages long, you have no excuse not to read it this year!
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Nancy and Plum by Betty MacDonald
As the snow falls on Christmas Eve, Nancy and Plum celebrate with milk and potatoes in a barn. Locked out of Mrs. Monday’s Boarding School, the orphan sisters have no where to go for Christmas. However, this plucky pair has a plan to escape from Mrs. Monday and her unfair punishments. Along the way, they meet new friends and realize that their dreams might not be so impossible after all. Readers can’t help but fall in love with Nancy and Plum as they battle Mrs. Monday to gain their freedom and find a family. The heartwarming and hilarious mix together perfectly in this story, creating a classic that you will want to read again and again.
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Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron
In this creative Christmas mystery, Jane Austen has just written Mansfield Park and is ready to relax for Christmas at a family friend’s mansion. Amid the holiday revelries however, tragedy strikes when one of their company dies in a suspicious accident. Curious by nature, Jane sets out to determine the cause of this catastrophe. If, as Jane suspects, this death involved foul play, then the culprit lies somewhere in their party. Filled with witty banter, elegant vocabulary, and engaging plot twists, this mystery pays homage to the literary genius of Jane Austen. Put dinner in the crock pot first because you won’t be able to put this book down once you start.
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Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
As a physics and mathematics student at Oxford, Megs grounds herself completely in reality and has no use for stories or imagination. Her younger brother George however absolutely loves fairytales, especially the newly published The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Confined to his bed by illness, George begs his sister to find out where Narnia came from. Reluctantly, Megs agrees to ask Mr. Lewis about his book although she doubts that he will produce a satisfactory answer. Instead of giving her a specific answer however, Mr. Lewis tells her stories about his childhood which she in turn tells to George. Through their conversations, Megs slowly realizes that sometimes a story can provide more hope and truth than all her academic pursuits. If you loved reading the Narnia books, you’re sure to enjoy this novel that mixes both the historical and the fictional in a captivating way.
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If you enjoyed this book list, check out the Book Nook for more lists and book reviews!
What are your favorite Christmas books? Let me know in the comments section below!
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