As the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book to welcome the holiday season. This year’s holiday lineup brings a delightful mix of mystery, reflection, and heartwarming tales that invite you to slow down. Here are 10 cozy books for your holiday reading.
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10 Cozy Books for Your Holiday Reading
1) The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Goodreads Rating: 3.77
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From the publisher: The Little Book of Hygge is the book we all need right now, and is guaranteed to bring warmth and comfort to you and your loved ones this winter. Whether you’re cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one, or sharing comfort food with your closest friends, hygge is about creating an atmosphere where you can let your guard down.
2) The Leaping Hare Wellness Almanac
Goodreads Rating: 4.43
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From the publisher: Beautifully designed and filled with mindful affirmations, activities and insights, this book will help you embrace the seasons and create positive spiritual habits all year long. Each page shares a mindful insight for inner understanding, and the year-long structure means that activities are tailored for the natural seasonal rhythms which guide us through winter, spring, summer and autumn. Read my review here.
3) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Goodreads Rating: 4.09
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From the publisher: It’s a snowy winter in London where we meet Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man who has become bitter with life, he is known for being cold and selfish. Scrooge profits off his impoverished community, financially benefitting off their labour whilst paying measly wages to his employees. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, show Scrooge what he needs to see before it’s too late.
4) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Goodreads Rating: 3.86
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From the publisher: In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
5) Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies
Goodreads Rating: 4.10
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From the publisher: This classic Christmas story follows Kris Kringle as he’s asked to fill in for Macy’s resident Santa Claus. He—along with children from all over New York City—believes he is the real thing. As Kris begins to inspire a feeling of true Christmas generosity and joy throughout the city, among competing department stories, and one particularly special family—a few skeptics are angered and threaten to bring him to court.
6) Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
Goodreads Rating: 3.82
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From the publisher: It’s the perfect time to curl up in front of a crackling fire with these wintry whodunits from the legendary Agatha Christie. But beware of deadly snowdrifts and dangerous gifts, poisoned meals and mysterious guests. This chilling compendium of short stories—some featuring beloved detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple—is an essential omnibus for Christie fans and the perfect holiday gift for mystery lovers.
7) The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Goodreads Rating: 3.71
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From the publisher: Carmen feels lost. The department store where she has worked until now is closing. She doesn’t want to move back home to her sister Sofia and her perfect life in Edinburgh. Sofia doesn’t want to welcome Carmen either, but she’s is expecting again, the bookstore is short of hands, and their mother’s greatest wish is for the two sisters to get along better with each other.
8) Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Goodreads Rating: 4.11
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From the publisher: It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.
9) The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Goodreads Rating: 3.94
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From the publisher: The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared three days before Christmas. Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery. He’s Mr. Big-Time Thriller Guy. As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other.
10) Self-Care for Winter by Suzy Reading
Goodreads Rating: 3.58
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From the publisher: Are you feeling it too? The genuine urge to bunker in, a growing need for rest, a deep desire to seek comfort? As the days become shorter and the cold descends, hibernation mode sets in. While seasonal change is a normal part of the natural world, many of us expect to have the same levels of energy all year round. But what if there was a better way to approach the winter season?
No matter what the holidays look like for you, there’s a cozy read waiting to make the season a little brighter. So brew something hot, find your comfiest chair, and immerse yourself in the magic of winter reading. What’s on your holiday reading list? I’d love to know!
RELATED POST: 7 Winter Themed Thrillers for Mystery Lovers
I would love to read the Agatha Christie books. I love reading mysteries especially in the wintertime. Thanks for sharing these cozy books.
I think you’d enjoy them! Happy reading Lanae.
So many great books.
Thank you Hena! I’m glad you enjoy these picks.
I have been on a Christmas movie watching kick and actually just watched Miracle on 34th street a few weeks ago. I had never though to read the book. Thank you for the recommendation. This is now on my Must-Read list!!!
I’m so happy to hear that, Heidi! I hope you enjoy and happy reading!
Love both classics and modern reads. I still have my old A Christmas Carol book that my mum gave me as a teen. Love these suggestions. <3 /Madison
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Aww, that’s so sweet! Thank you for reading Madison.
Great suggestions! I’ve since both Miracle on 34th Street movies but I’ve never read the book. Now I want to!
That’s great Jodie! I’m glad you’ll be adding it to your list. I’ll be adding the movie to my holiday movie night!
Loved the Thursday Murder Club, it’s a fun read. I like the sound of the Christmas bookshop and small things like these. Fab list.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sarah! It’s still on my holiday reading list before I check out the Netflix movie.