Best Books to Read During the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and as with most occasions in life, I’m convinced there are books perfect for it. Christmas has always been a holiday I associate with joy and love. The holidays are my favorite time of year because they’re a time when most people truly try to live more hopefully and joyfully—with the sort of trust I think is such a special part of reading. So, in no particular order, here are my top books to read during the holidays, and I hope they give you a bit of magic during this holiday season!

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

I’ve been in love with Middle Earth for a decade, and I think the Hobbit captures many of the best aspects of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Hobbit is considerably more lighthearted than Lord of the Rings, and I think it’s great for the holidays if you’re traveling. If you’re a passenger on a long flight or a long drive, it’s a wonderful travel companion. As a whole, it has a wonderful sense of adventure and delightful moments of humor, and it’s more suited to the cheery time of the year than Lord of the Rings might be.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

My first memory of the Polar Express is from elementary school, when we all sat at round wooden tables and listened as the librarian read it to us, pausing to show us the illustrations. It went on to become a classic Christmas film, but the book stays with me as a staple of my childhood. It’s the first book I remember reading or hearing that had anything to do with holiday spirit. It’s simple and relaxing to read, which is why I think it’s effective as a holiday read. It’s perfect for younger readers, even if they only look at the pictures (which are beautiful), and it’s a great length to read on Christmas Eve.

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson are most likely not the first thing you think of when you’re perusing library shelves for a good holiday read, but hear me out. A good collection of Sherlock Holmes mysteries will see you through all of those awkwardly-timed dishes you’re making on Christmas. They’re short, but not lackluster or dry, and they’re great to read during in-between moments—like waiting for water to boil, or the last two minutes before the cookies are done. The mysteries themselves are never gristly or gruesome, so it’s also a great collection of stories for young adult readers.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This is one of the books you probably thought of when you clicked on this post, isn’t it? A Christmas Carol has spurred many movies and phrases (“Bah humbug!” and “You’re such a Scrooge” among them), but I think it’s a wonderful book to read if you’re looking for something a little different from the Hobbit and Sherlock Holmes in its objective. While the book does focus on Christmas specifically, I think it offers all readers the chance to contemplate what is or isn’t important to them during the holidays.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

If you’re into the fantasy genre at all, but perhaps found Tolkien’s writing dense or hard to get through, Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is a children’s book that stands up well to being read by people of all ages. Lewis’s writing is simple but never condescending or patronizing, so the book is a good, light read for adults, and a charming adventure for children. It also has a delightfully cheery Christmas scene, but I’m not going to spoil it for you, just in case you haven’t read it.

“A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore

Moore’s poem is probably best known for the beginning lines: “’Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,/Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” If you’re looking for a very low-commitment holiday read, I think this is your best bet. It’s a poem, but it isn’t complicated or metaphorical. It’s short, which means it’s nice if you’re looking for a quick boost of holiday spirit, and the rhyme of the poem makes it fun and easy to read with family, if you want to. You can find it online here at the Poetry Foundation.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

Of all the Harry Potter books, I think Sorcerer’s Stone is the best to read during the holidays. It has the same air of lighthearted fun because the wizarding world is brand new to Harry, and, like the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, it has an excellent Christmas scene. For the first time, Harry has a truly happy Christmas, with his first real friend, Ron, who stays at Hogwarts with him for the holidays. The whole scene has very sweet undertones of giving and love, which is why it’s my pick out of the seven to be on this list. It’s the longest book on this list besides the Hobbit, so it’s also good to take on holiday travels.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

~K