11 Books to Read for a Cosy Christmas
Christmastime, a season synonymous with joy, family, celebration, and nostalgia.
As the year draws to an end and winter closes in, curling up with a good book under a plaid throw is a beautiful way to soak up the comfort and magic of December. Need a break from your New Year’s resolutions? No problem. There’s nothing cosier than reading a well-loved classic that allows us to return to familiar scenes, characters, and traditions that evoke childhood wonder and joy.
So snuggle beside the crackling fireplace (or heater) and tune out those distractions by diving headfirst into the festive atmosphere. Here are eleven classics to unleash the yuletide spirit and bring you closer to the Christmas magic.
1. A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens
First published in 1843, when Dickens was short on time to produce a piece for his editor, he wrote the story with details from his life. It was an instant classic, with the first printing bought out in days and Londoners clambering to hear him read it in person. Even today, it remains one of the most influential and beloved Christmas tales ever written.
2. The Nutcracker
E.T.A. Hoffman
We all know Hoffmann’s classic Christmas fairy tale that Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet has immortalised. It’s a classic that captures, better than any other story, a child’s wonder at Christmas and the unlimited possibilities when we let our imagination fly.
3. The Night Before Christmas
Clement Clarke Moore
Moore's famous poem captures Christmas cheer in just the right rhyme and metre, bringing to life a magical Christmas Eve when all are nestled snug in their beds. From filling stockings to avoiding snow on the roof, Santa makes his way down the chimney with visions of sugarplums dancing through children's heads. I remember receiving a mini book with the poem when I was a kid, and it was always a tradition to read it on Christmas Eve.
4. A Christmas Memory
Truman Capote
Capote's nostalgic memoir recounts Christmas traditions from his childhood in rural Alabama, from making fruitcakes to celebrating the holidays with his elderly cousin. Their simple rituals of gift-giving, warm fellowship, and reverence for natural beauty distil the true joys of the season beyond mere customs or presents.
5. The Gift of the Magi
O. Henry
A short but beautifully sentimental story about the personal sacrifices we are willing to make for the ones we love. Henry cleverly brings alive the true Christmas spirit of giving without thoughts of receiving anything in return.
6. Miracle on 34th Street
Valentine Davies
The novel inspired the classic 1947 film about a department store Santa, who may be the real thing. When an older man delighting children as Santa claims to be authentic and is taken to court for insanity, a young lawyer helps prove the protective spirit of belief. Through the power of faith, kindness and celebration of childhood wonder, the "miracle" spreads to restore meaning to the streets of New York at Christmas.
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr Seuss
Dr Seuss is great at sneaking profound life lessons into his stories, and this whimsical children's story turns out to be one that even adults enjoy rereading every year. Leave it to the grump Grinch with a heart two sizes too small to demonstrate that Christmas is a spiritual experience, not a material one.
8. The Snowman
Raymond Briggs
When a young boy's snowman comes to life on a snowy Christmas Eve, they embark on a magical journey. With charm and simplicity, the story captures the wonder felt through a child's eyes exploring the holiday wonderland. The classic was adapted into a wordless animation, created using traditional hand-drawn techniques set to an orchestral soundtrack, which includes the iconic song Walking in the Air by composer Howard Blake.
9. The Polar Express
Chris Van Allsburg
When a mysterious train appears in the snow outside one pyjama-clad child's house on Christmas Eve, he boards for an unforgettable trip to the North Pole, where believing in Santa is everything. Van Allsburg's magical illustrations bring to life this tale of a train ride that confirms the spirit of Christmas remains in those who never stop believing. It’s also one of my favourite Christmas films that delights repeatedly.
10. Christmas Stories
Edited by Diana Secker Tesdell
This festive anthology collects beloved holiday tales, both classic and modern. From favourite classics to contemporary works, readers can spend Christmas wrapped in stories reviving old traditions or finding new meanings of the season through laughter, introspection, and compassion, strengthening the Christmas spirit for many years.
11. Letters from Father Christmas
J.R.R. Tolkien
Between 1920 and 1943, Tolkien wrote annual letters to his children from "Father Christmas" at the North Pole, detailing his preparations for the holiday. Made posthumously public in 1976, the letters offer charming glimpses into Tolkien's imagination – riddled with life lessons – as Santa celebrates with elves and goblins, ensuring all have Christmas cheer at the winter wonderland.
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