As my Christmas tree twinkles in the corner of my living room and I snuggle up under a festive blanket, nestled among holiday throw pillows to write this post, all I can think is: I cannot wait to replace my laptop with a book and settle in for some quality reading time in the coming weeks! I love a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie and jolly holiday jingles, but give me a book set in a Christmas town with snow, ice skating, and maybe a way-too-predictable meet-cute between main characters, and I am golden.
I also have a stack of children’s Christmas books that could rival some public libraries. Is there anything better than snuggling up with your kiddos and paging through adorable artwork and a heartwarming story? I love to add a couple new books to our collection each year, and my heart bursts anytime I see my kids grab a stack of Christmas books to read by the tree. Kids after my own heart!
If you, too, are looking to add a little holiday magic to your reading life this season, I have a few new-release holiday book recommendations, as well as some tried-and-true books for both you and your kids to enjoy!
Holiday Books for Mom
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I just finished this book, and it is easily going to be one of the books I gift to friends this year! It’s adorable, funny, light, and the perfect blend of magic and reality. The characters are a hodgepodge of friends from college who are each other’s chosen family. It reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas movies The Family Stone with a little bit of Groundhog Day sprinkled in.
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
I just started reading this on my Kindle and already cannot put it down. Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is the main character, a nice Jewish girl who cannot admit to her family her deepest secret: she loves Christmas and has become a successful Christmas novelist. Add in a little bit of a love story too? This one is definitely going to be good!
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
This book is the first of four in Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series. I listened to them all on audiobook last year, and they were a delightful companion to my holiday errands. The series follows the Quinn family and their complicated dynamics on Nantucket Island. I love that the novels let you in to each character’s life and weave together so many storylines. I may have to listen to them again this holiday season! Also check out books 2-4: Winter Stroll, Winter Storms, and Winter Solstice.
The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole
I just added this book to my TBR list! I absolutely love plots that span generations and have multiple character storylines intertwine. The book follows Meg Julliard as she returns home to take care of her father’s apartment complex, meeting a cast of characters along the way. Meg’s unlikely friendship with Elise, one of the tenants, is the focus of this book.
Mr. Dickens and his Carol by Samantha Silva
A few years ago, I finally got around to reading A Christmas Carol for my book club. I highly recommend reading the classic, and I cannot wait to delve into this historical fiction account that’s a companion to the original. A story of self-doubt and redemption focusing on one of literature’s greatest holiday authors.
Holiday Books for Kids
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
I am a huge Tomie dePaola fan and have long adored his classics like The Legend of the Bluebonnet and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. This is his Christmas version, and it’s a beautiful backstory as to why the poinsettia has become the iconic Christmas flower it is today.
I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison
I just added this book to my cart. It’s the latest entry in the I Got the School Spirit and I Got the Rhythm series by a husband-and-wife illustrator/author duo. A book filled with joyful onomatopoeia and noticing the holiday magic around your neighborhood!
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
This is an adorable tale of how we can all pass along some holiday joy to one another during the season, and how one person can impact another. I read this book to my oldest daughter’s class a couple years ago during their Christmas party as they decorated cookies, and it was the perfect pairing!
The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
Based on the author’s childhood in South Dakota, this book tells a story of generosity and unexpected joy amid challenging life circumstances. I’ll definitely be adding it to our collection this year, and I cannot wait to share it with my children.
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
This book is actually such a favorite with my kids that we leave it on our bookshelves year-round. It inspired our tradition of tamales on Christmas Eve; maybe it will inspire your family, too!
As you dig into your next read, I have to plug our Dallas Moms Book Club Community Group. It’s a fantastic group of women who gather every other month to discuss a book and find community with other moms in the Dallas area. Check us out on Facebook and join us! I wish you all the best this holiday season and hope you find a cozy spot, a delicious beverage, and a book that warms your heart. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
