'Tis The Season: 16 Christmas Novels

I'm not much for a Christmas themed novel.  They are always a little cheesy and predictable, but lately I've been really wanting to curl up with something like that.  Blame the pandemic, celebrating Thanksgiving without extended family, or the fact that it's dark by 5 PM every night....whatever the reason, this year this is the type of book that I'm here for. 

I've got sixteen novels that I'm sharing if you, too, need a feel good holiday read.  I've read nearly every one on this list (so maybe I really am for a good Christmas themed novel and I just didn't realize it?!), except for those that I purchased to read this year.  

So, happy holidays and happy reading! 

1.  Deck the Halls by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark -  Alvirah Meehan meets up with Regan Reilly (from CHC's novels) to help solve the kidnapping of Regan's father.  This is just one of a series featuring these sleuths. The holiday novels are fun and entertaining and incorporate a mystery that takes place during the holiday season.

2.  Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer-Christina runs a toy shop and is in the midst of the holiday shopping season when she finds out that her scrooge-ish landlord is raising the rent.  There's no way Christina can afford it and she's hoping that somewhere under that hard exterior Oscar has a heart.

3. Recommended For You by Laura Silverman - this rang all my bells and whistles - set in a bookstore at a mall during the holiday rush, Shoshonna and her new co-worker Luke compete to sell the most books and win a $250 prize.  This is a G-rated YA rom com you won't want to miss.

4.  Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella- Becky shops all the time and the holiday shopping season is certainly one that she wouldn't miss out on.  Becky has to host the holiday this year, though, and it's causing a lot of stress and not much holiday happiness.

5.  Skipping Christmas by John Grisham - I read this years ago and love the movie, but this book about a family who attempt to skip the holiday hoopla in favor of a tropical getaway is a Christmas classic

6.  In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren -Set in a time loop as Mae relives the holiday in an attempt to find the one thing that makes her happy, this is at the top of my TBR.

7.  One Day in December by Josie Silver-Laurie didn't believe in love at first sight until she locks eyes with a stranger one day on the bus.  Laurie doesn't run into him again, although she tries...until her best friend, Sarah, brings him with her to a holiday party.  

8.  The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini - this the 21st installment in the Elm Creek Quilters series -the annual Christmas craft sale gets moved to Elm Creek Manor after winter weather damages the church where it was to be held.  The women bring quilts that evoke memories of Christmases past and even of those to come.

9.  Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg - set in small-town America, there's Flagg's usual humor and the story of a man who moves to a small town....Flagg's book has a happily ever after ending for everyone

10.  Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand - the first in a four book series- a family prepares to get together at the Winter Street Inn to celebrate Christmas, but there's family drama to get through before celebrating can happen.

11.  Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb - historical fiction set during World War I -Evie's brother and his best friend head off to war, all believing it will be over soon. Evie longs to do her part, and she and Thomas begin exchanging letters.  There's a dual timeline to this story, which I love, along with a little romance.

12.  The Christmas Promise by Thomas Kinkade - I love the Cape Light novels that are predictable....set in a small town, it's easy to fall in love with the residents of Cape Light and get to know them.  There are several novels set during the holidays that won't disappoint.

13.  The House Without A Christmas Tree by Gail Rock - this is the perfect family read aloud - and one I read with my youngest daughter years ago.   Set in 1946, a young girl tries to understand why her father won't let their family have a Christmas tree.

14.  Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss - Kate doesn't hold out much hope of finding a happily ever after for herself. She's 34 and has made peace with being single.  When her best friend signs her up on  dating website that promises true love before Christmas, Kate has to go on 12 dates in just 12 days....and each date is more disastrous than the one before it.

15.  Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah - Joy is recently divorced and doesn't feel like celebrating the holidays, so she takes an impromptu trip to the Pacific Northwest and unexpectedly ends up in the woods of the Olympic rainforest. Meanwhile Bobby is six and trying to come to terms with his mother's death. When Bobby and his dad Daniel meet Joy, the three find happiness until it is ripped away from them.

16.  10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston - this is a fun YA rom-com featuring Sophie who is being set up on blind dates by her family members after being dumped by her boyfriend, Griffin. This is a lot of fun with some romance thrown in.

I know there are lots of other Christmas books out there, but I can stand by these sixteen as being worth taking the time to read.  What others can you recommend?