9 Holiday Books that aren’t romance
What better way to usher in the winter season than curling up with a holiday novel? There’s something special about immersing yourself in a story set against the most wonderful time of the year. I love this category because it captures the things I find most magical about the holidays: the joy of giving, the warmth of family gatherings, and the beauty of tradition.
Rom-coms are a popular genre for holiday books, but what if you aren’t a romance reader? (Nothing against the genre—it’s wildly popular and there are so many great picks!) Still, sometimes you’re looking for a little less Hallmark, and a little more of something else. Good news…
Whether you’re a fan of classics or lean more contemporary in your reading preferences, there’s a holiday book for everyone. Here’s a list of go-tos…some that might look familiar and others you might not have seen before.
Grab a cup of cocoa and a warm blanket, then dive in! Oh, and don’t forget some festive background music (I’m partial to Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, and Frank Sinatra).
The Toy Makers, by Robert Dinsdale: A toy emporium comes alive with spirit and secrets in 1917 London. For fans of The Night Circus.
2. The Christmas Bookshop, by Jenny Colgan: Reviving a neglected bookshop and healing a fractured family.
3. Marley, by Jon Clinch: A reimagining that explores the relationship between Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley.
4. The Deal of a Lifetime, by Fredrik Backman: The gift of giving, before it’s too late (a novella, only 85 pages!).
5. Seven Days of Us, by Francesca Hornak: Big family and a lot of togetherness under one roof, a la The Family Stone.
6. Hiddensee, by Gregory Maguire: Retelling of Drosselmeier’s creation of the nutcracker.
7. Once Upon a Wardrobe, by Patti Callahan: Uncovering the truth behind the Narnia stories. Magical!
8. Mr. Dickens and his Carol, by Samantha Silva: Another Christmas Carol reimagining about how Dickens found his inspiration.
9. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens: The ultimate classic!
