There is no shortage of holiday-related literature, from classics like A Christmas Carol and Little Women to heaps of new titles coming out every year. The selection can be overwhelming, but here are some great options to help narrow down the list. These books are the perfect cozy reads to curl up with on a winter night with a hot cup of cocoa, or your beverage of choice. In short, the best books to get you in the holiday spirit.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Set in the 1920s in Alaska, The Snow Child follows what happens when a couple living in the wilderness encounter a little girl who seems to have materialized out of nowhere. This story takes its inspiration from a Russian fairy tale, and has garnered critical acclaim, receiving a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
Happiness by Aminatta Forna
Happiness tells the story of Jean, an American studying urban foxes, and Attila, a Ghanaian psychiatrist as their paths overlap in London. In the process of looking for a young boy who has gone missing, their friendship begins to deepen. This novel is a challenge to reconsider how we view nature, coexistence and happiness in modern life. It has received rave reviews and was named Best Book of 2018 across a number of the biggest publications.
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Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
For fans of mystery and thrillers, look no further than Hercule Poirot’s Christmas. A family reunion on Christmas Eve takes a horrific turn when Simeon Lee is murdered, and Hercule Poirot is called in to take on the case. In true Christie fashion, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter
This memoir ties together the frightening power and the breathtaking beauty of the arctic as a woman journeys into the wilderness. Christiane Ritter moves from Austria to a remote arctic island called Spitsbergen. In her adventures, she battles with the elements, encounters seals and bears, and gains a new appreciation for the sanctity of nature, and of life as a whole. This read will make you appreciate the warmth of your own home, or it might make you yearn for the outdoors.
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
A Christmas Memory is a short story about a friendship between a young boy and an old woman, and the holiday rituals they share. Paired with other holiday writings from across Capote’s career, this collection ranges from festive cheer to darker, colder perspectives on the holiday.
These are the best books to get you in the holiday spirit and we hope you enjoy reading them all this Christmas.