13 Holiday Reads

Are you having trouble getting into that Christmas spirit? There's nothing like a good book to boost your mood. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and a book from this list and you'll instantly be in the mood to deck the halls and sing carols.

'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens

A Christmas classic. Follow this tale of Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited on Christmas Eve by his dead business partner, Marley. With him he brings a warning of what will come unless Scrooge changes his ways. Before the night is over, Scrooge will be visited by three more ghosts: the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present, and the ghost of Christmas yet to come. Will Scrooge learn his lesson and ultimately change his ways or will he be doomed to the fate that has already befallen Marley?

'Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb

Ten year old Felix is sure of a few things in life: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this Christmas is going to be the best one yet. It's 1964 and a teacher helps Felix, Mouseketeer Annette Funicello's less famous cousin, have a Christmas that he'll never forget.

'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott

The story of the March sisters, Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy, as they endure the hardships and adventures of growing up in the time of Civil War in New England. The girls, along with their mother, must learn to support themselves after their father is sent as a chaplain to war.

'Hiddensee' by Gregory Maguire

The ominous backstory to The Nutcracker reveals how this creature was carved and then helps an ailing girl through a dreamland on Christmas Eve.

'Skipping Christmas' by John Grisham

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded stores or boring office parties. When Luther and Nora Krank's daughter, Blair, is away for Christmas on a year long Peace Corps assignment, that is exactly what they plan, and instead book a cruise that departs on December 25th. The Kranks quickly discover that skipping Christmas is not as easy as they thought it would be.

'Winter Solstice' by Rosamunde Pilcher

Elfrida Phipps loves living in her cozy cottage with her dog, Horace, in a tiny Hampshire village. With the friendship from her neighbors, the Blundells, she is ensured companionship as well as her independence. During an unforeseen accident, Mrs. Blundell and her daughter are killed in a car crash, and Mr. Blundell finds himself homeless when his stepchildren claim their inheritance.

'Christmas Jars' by Jason F. Wright

On Christmas Eve, after journalist Hope Jensen's apartment is robbed, someone leaves her a jar full of money labelled "Christmas jar." She embarks on a quest to uncover the origins of these mysterious jars that have been anonymously left for people in need.

'The Christmas Sweater' by Glenn Beck

When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a new bike, but instead he got an ugly sweater. That Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey into manhood. Eddie struggles to find himself and with the guidance from a neighbor he is put on the path to see the significance of the gift that his mother had handcrafted with love. Based on a true personal experience.

'Merry and Bright' by Debbie Macomber

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. Between preparing for the holiday season and staying out of her stressed out boss's way, the last thing on her mind is her social life. Much to her surprise, Merry's well meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her. Reluctantly, Merry decides to give it a try and she soon finds herself chatting online with a charming stranger. She begins to look forward to their online exchanges but when meeting face to face, Merry, finds the last person that she expects to see.

'A Christmas Memory' by Truman Capote

An autobiographical recollection of Christmas memories shared by two cousins growing up in rural Alabama. Follow the traditions of Buddy and his older cousin as they celebrate Christmas and the memories that they share.

'Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery' by Jenny Colgan

Even with the busy demands of the holiday season, Polly makes time for her boyfriend Huckle. Holiday fun soon turns to the way of panic when a storm cuts off the village from the mainland. Now the townsfolk must stick together to ensure that everyone has a happy holiday.

'The Christmas List' by Richard Paul Evans

When James Kier is accidentally mistaken for someone else with the same name, he suddenly sees what the world thinks of him and decides to change his future.

'The Ghost of Christmas Past' by Rhys Bowen

Molly Murphy Sullivan and her husband Daniel are invited to celebrate Christmas at a mansion in Hudson. Not long after they arrive, they discover that the host's daughter had wandered into the snow ten years ago and was never seen again. No ransom note. No body. Then suddenly on Christmas Eve, there is a knock on the door revealing a young girl claiming, "I'm Charlotte, I've come home."