Enter the slow-down season of December with the most enchanting holiday books

Magic is in the air in December. It’s more than just a celebratory mood or holiday cheer; it’s in the way time seems to slow down and invites you to revisit that part of nostalgia which springs up when you see glowing windows and chiming bells. Reading takes on this nuance too, and we reach for books that are tender, heart-warming and feel like they belong to the cosy corner in your home. We’ve put together a list of charming books that invite you to savour each page.

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

Fingerprint! Publishing 

A classic that feels like it was made for winter, the story classic whisks you into Narnia, a world trapped in “always winter, never Christmas,” making it a perfect seasonal escape. When the Pevensie siblings stumble through a wardrobe, they find themselves in a snow-covered kingdom ruled by the White Witch. Guided by Aslan’s wisdom and courage, they become part of an ancient prophecy that will restore light to the land. Its themes of hope, sacrifice, and magic echo everything we love about Christmas. Lewis’ imagery—lampposts in forests, fauns with parcels, sleighs gliding across frost—is pure holiday magic. It’s the perfect cosy, fireside read that reminds you why the best Christmas stories often hinge on miracles.

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier 

Virago Classics 

The richly layered and moody atmosphere of Manderley is perfect for long, dark December nights. The unnamed narrator marries the wealthy Maxim de Winter and moves to the hauntingly beautiful Manderley, where the memory of his first wife, Rebecca, lingers like a ghost. As secrets unravel, Du Maurier’s gothic tension warms you in a strange, thrilling way, like stepping into a candlelit mansion while a storm rages outside. A perfect pick if you prefer your holiday reading atmospheric rather than sugary.

Christmas Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella 

Bantam Press 

Light, sparkling, and full of festive chaos, this book feels like a rom-com wrapped in tinsel. Becky Bloomwood’s holiday disasters—gift meltdowns, party planning spirals, and family absurdities—are hysterically relatable. This time, Becky is hosting Christmas for the first time, and everyone has an opinion about how it should be done. From vegan demands to surprise guests to last-minute gift panics, everything spirals in classic Becky fashion. Under the humour lies a sweet message about love, family, and letting go of perfection. Kinsella captures the stress and sparkle of Christmas in equal measure. It’s the perfect palate cleanser if December has you overwhelmed and you just need to laugh.

Caraval, Stephanie Garber 

Hodder Paperbacks 

Caraval’s dazzling world of illusions, night markets, shimmering gowns, and dangerous enchantments pairs beautifully with the festive season. Scarlett and her sister Tella attend Caraval, a once-a-year magical competition where nothing is as it seems, and where Tella suddenly goes missing. To find her, Scarlett must follow clues through illusions, performers, and dangerous temptations created by the mysterious Legend. The dreamlike world feels like stepping into a glittering holiday festival full of secrets and enchantments.

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, Agatha Christie 

HarperCollins 

A holiday murder mystery is peak cosy-season reading, and Christie delivers with flair. When the wealthy, cruel Simeon Lee gathers his family for Christmas, tensions boil, and he ends up murdered in a locked room. Poirot must navigate a house full of suspects, lies, and explosive family drama. The wintry setting adds signature Christie charm, and the writing is suspenseful without being heavy. The snowed-in mansion, the crackling tension, and the cosy-but-deadly atmosphere make it a timeless holiday whodunnit.

Last Christmas in Paris, Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb, William Morrow Paperbacks 

Told through letters, this novel captures love and longing during World War I with heart-tugging beauty. Evie and Thomas exchange letters as he serves at the front, their friendship deepening into something more amid the uncertainty of war. The story moves between hope, heartbreak, and the promise of returning home for Christmas in Paris. Its emotional depth, warmth and historical descriptions make it a moving holiday read.

Mr Dickens and His Carol, Samantha Silva 

Flatiron Books 

This novel reimagines how Charles Dickens might have written A Christmas Carol, blending fact with festive fiction. Struggling with writer’s block and financial pressure, Dickens wanders through Victorian London searching for inspiration. Along the way, he encounters characters who slowly kindle his creative spark. The book captures the magic, melancholy, and redemption we associate with Christmas storytelling, making it ideal for readers who treasure tradition with a twist.

The Secret Christmas Library, Jenny Colgan 

Hodder & Stoughton 

Colgan always delivers endearing characters and heartwarming stories, and this one is no exception. The novel follows Carmen, a woman whose life feels stuck in all the wrong places, until she’s sent to help revive a failing old bookshop in a snowy Scottish town. As she sorts through dusty shelves, she begins uncovering handwritten notes, forgotten treasures, and stories that strangely mirror the turning points in her own life. Along the way, she forms unexpected friendships, rekindles old bonds, and slowly rebuilds her belief in second chances.

Rukmini Aunty and the R K Narayan Fan Club, Sita Bhaskar 

Penguin 

This charming, contemporary novel blends community spirit with literary nostalgia. When Rukmini Aunty’s beloved R K Narayan heritage home faces the threat of redevelopment, neighbours and book lovers rally together to preserve it. Through their efforts, friendships deepen, secrets surface, and the true meaning of home is rediscovered. The warmth, community spirit, and literary love make this book a wonderful holiday pick. The story offers a slice of Indian cultural nostalgia, and the comfort of tradition blends with the charm of Narayan’s legacy to make this a quiet, soulful December read.

A Merry Little Lie, Sarah Morgan

Canary Street Pr 

Here is a Christmas tale that blends emotional finesse with razor-sharp family dynamics. The book centres on the Balfour siblings, each arriving home for the holidays with a private truth tucked neatly out of sight. Becky is determined to maintain the little fiction she’s been carrying all year, only to find herself face-to-face with Will—the one man capable of seeing straight through her. Rosie arrives in full festive optimism while quietly questioning the whirlwind marriage she’s stepped into, and Jamie brings along Hayley, whose poised charm masks her growing desire to be truly accepted. Over one glittering, tension-laced Christmas weekend, the Balfours slip into familiar rhythms of shared meals, whispered conversations, and unspoken rivalries. As their carefully built facades start to falter, each sibling edges closer to a more honest version of themselves.
 

Lead photo: Getty Images, Book images: Amazon 

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