27 Christmas Books for Book Clubs (fun & festive)

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Holiday themed book club reads

As Christmas is right around the corner, it’s time to grab some Christmas books for your book club!

During the most wonderful time of the year, it’s no surprise that every book group wants to discuss some good holiday book club reads. 

All of these books are perfect holiday themed books for book clubs.

Get your book club members to sit around the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, getting deep into the Christmas spirit.

How to make the most out of festive book club discussions? 

Before we get into the holiday themed books for book clubs, let’s find out some fun ways to bring the holiday spirit to your book club.

  • Prepare some questions to discuss the best Christmas memories of your book club member

This can include questions like what are some fun Christmas traditions you follow, or what are some of the best Christmas-themed books you loved as a child, or best Christmas movies/ characters you love.  

  • Get the most ugliest Christmas Sweater 

Of course you have to wear your ugly Christmas sweater for your December book club. And if you haven’t found any good ones, here are TWO of my favourites!!

  1. If you’re looking for a unique and festive Sweater you have to check this hilarious reindeer Christmas tree sweater Christmas with built-in light bulbs! 
  2. Next comes a cozy sweater with highly imaginative embellishment. This classic Cardigan has fun patterns and animals.

  • Have some Christmas themed snacks on your book club menu

The Christmas book club should have some festive Christmas snacks to get into the mood of holidays. If you can’t come up with ideas for some holiday appetisers, here are a few.

  1. This colourful goat-cheese balls are ready under ten minutes- get the recipe here
  2. These bite size mini cheese burgers are super easy and delicious, get the recipe here  
  3. Ham and cheese sandwich are ready just under ten minutes , get the recipe here 

  • Surprise the members with the best book club gifts 

If you want to give some unique gifts for your book club members other than books, check this list of cheap book club gifts under $10. These inexpensive gifts are great to surprise your friends!

So, now that you’ve got enough tips to have a blast, let’s get to the list of the best holiday book club reads!!

It’s the season for giving, so we’re giving you a list of 27 books to enjoy with your book club over the holidays.

One Last Gift by Emily Stone

One Last Gift is the perfect winter romance. It follows the story of Cassie, a woman who lost her parents at a young age and who heavily relied on her brother Tom, and his best friend Sam.

After losing Tom as well, she’s drifted apart from Sam and is left all alone. That is until she finds an envelope from her brother, which contains the first clue to an epic Christmas scavenger hunt…

The final present from her brother sends Cassie on a life-changing journey. She travels around the world, finds people from her past, and goes through a process of self-discovery. At the end of the scavenger hunt, she’s left with the choice of whether to accept the final gift her brother has left for her.

One Last Gift is a heart-wrenching Christmas-story for your holiday book club. 

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You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky

This adult queer holiday romance follows Matthew Prince, a spoiled young guy whose extravagant life had brought trouble to his parents.

To teach him a lesson, they send him to his grand-parents’ home in a sleepy village. Matthew can’t survive anywhere without his cell-phone, but this rural town has no service, and to top it all he is forced to share the room with his grandparents’ student.

This fun and lighthearted story is a pure joy to read as a Christmas book for book clubs. Find more lighthearted reads here!

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Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter Street is a fun and heart-warming tale about a dysfunctional family coming together for Christmas.

The story of Kelley Quinn and his four adult children. The cast of characters includes Mitzi, Kelley’s second wife, and Margaret, his ex, as well as the 4 children he has across the two marriages, Patrick, Kevin, Ava, and Bart. The novel is set in Nantucket, where Quinn owns the Winter Street Inn.

When the family gets back together for Christmas, complete chaos ensues. Similar to some of your favorite Christmas movies, Winter Street is a riotous and charming story with plenty of holiday antics throughout.

If you’re looking for a multilayered holiday book for your book club, get Winter Street immediately. 

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Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Mr. Dickens and His Carol is holiday-themed historical fiction at its best.

It follows Charles Dickens as his publishers attempt to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book. The character of Dickens in the book is conflicted after his latest novel is a flop, and he feels unable to create anything new.

In the book, he meets the character Eleanor Lovejoy, who aids him in his quest to find inspiration. Dickens then goes on a journey which mirrors that of Ebeneezer Scrooge and ends up creating the tale we all know and love.

This book is perfect for fans of A Christmas Carol who want to explore the world it was created in.

Find more historical fiction novels here

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The Christmas House by Victoria James

The Christmas House is the cozy story of a family trying to reconcile their troubled relationships for the holidays.

Set in Silver Springs, the book follows Ruby Harris who owns the titular B&B, The Christmas House. There is plenty of drama in the story between Ruby and her grandchildren, Charlotte and Olivia.

Details from the past come to light, and the family is forced to work through their problems to come together for the holidays. Eventually, a person from the family’s past returns and threatens to upset the newfound balance, testing the family’s bonds more than ever.

The feel-good story follows Ruby and her family’s tumultuous path to a happy Christmas together. 

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Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor

Last Christmas in Paris is a historical romance that is told across 4 Christmases amid World War I.

When the war starts, everyone is sure they’ll be reunited by next Christmas, but this is not how things play out. The novel centers around Evie Elliot and Thomas Harding, a couple separated by the war.

Thomas fights to survive on the front lines, while Evie looks for ways to support the war effort from back home. The couple communicates through letters about their dreams, nightmares, and love for each other. This is a heart-wrenching tale of love trying to survive through the horrors of war.

If you’re looking for a good Christmas book club read to tug at your heartstrings this holiday season, this is the novel for you.

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The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans

The Noel Letters follows the lead character Noel Post and her journey through a tale of family, and self-discovery.

The lead character is an editor for a major publishing house, and the book sees her taking a trip to visit her dying father, who she is largely estranged from. During the visit, Noel starts receiving mysterious letters which reveal details about her past and make her start seeing her future in a different light.

Throughout the book, she is reacquainted with people from her past and begins to rediscover herself.

The book is a mysterious tale that takes you on Noel’s journey through her past, and into her future.

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The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

The Christmas Train follows the holiday journey of journalist Tom Langdon.

He finds himself traveling across the United States to get home for Christmas. Traveling by train, he encounters a cast of characters who help him examine his own life, and come out the other side as a new man. The book shows the magic of the holiday season at its best, with Langdon’s life-changing on this very special journey.

This classic holiday tale was also turned into a Hallmark original movie, which would be perfect viewing once you’ve finished the book.

If you want to discuss a heartwarming tale of second chances and redemption in the book club, this is the book for you. 

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Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien & Baillie Tolkien

A glimpse into the Lord of the Rings author’s creative genius, Letters from Father Christmas compiles the author’s letters he would write and illustrate for his children around the holidays, addressed from ‘Father Christmas’.

The letters tell beautiful, inventive stories of the North Pole, and all of its strange, wonderful happenings. The letters were written for children, but have an indelible charm about them, so this book is perfect for Tolkien fans of all ages.

The book also features an introduction from Baillie Tolkien, the wife of Christopher Tolkien, and the author’s daughter-in-law.

If your book club members are fans of Tolkien’s other work, this is the perfect book for you this Christmas.

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Shepherd’s Abiding by Jan Karon

The 8th novel in Karon’s beloved Mitford Years series, it is the first book in the series set at Christmastime.

Previous releases in the series include Light in The Window, and Out to Canaan. This book follows Father Tim as he sets out to restore a dilapidated nativity scene as a Christmas gift for his wife, Cynthia.

The book takes readers on a journey through the beloved town of Mitford during the holiday season.

The book is also full of beautiful illustrations to set the scene alongside the writing. For fans of the series who have wanted to spend Christmas in Mitford, this is the book for you.

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A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

A Redbird Christmas delivers on Flagg’s signature style of warmth and care that has brought her books to prominence.

The story is set in a small Alabama town called Lost River. It follows Oswald T. Campbell, who after receiving a shocking diagnosis, leaves the hustle and bustle of Chicago to spend what may be his last Christmas in the sleepy town of Lost River.

Campbell immerses himself in the town of Lost River and sees why the small community has much more to offer than what meets the eye.

A heartfelt tale for all ages, A Redbird Christmas is a certified holiday classic that your book club would love to read in December.

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The 19th Christmas by James Patterson

The 19th novel in Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series, this #1 New York Times Bestseller sees the titular group looking forward to a calm holiday season until a new case demands their attention.

A killer known as “Loman” begins to terrorize San Francisco, and Lindsay Boxer and her club are forced to step up to the plate and solve the mystery. The first book set during the holidays in the series, this story provides a perfect combination of mystery and holiday spirit.

For fans of Patterson and his murder mysteries, this would be one of best Christmas-themed mystery books for book club.

Want to read more Christmas Murder Mystery Books? Check this post ->18 Christmas Murder Mystery Books To Read During The Holiday Season

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Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah

In this book which is labeled as “a fable” on the front cover, Kristin Hannah spins a modern-day fairy tale that tells the story of Joy Candellaro, who is found at a crossroads in her life.

While she used to love Christmas more than anyone, she has lost the spirit this year after going through a divorce. She decides to head out to the rural Northwest for the holidays, avoiding the difficult situation at home.

Unfortunately, on the way there, her plane crashes. Luckily, everyone walks away unscathed, and Joy steps into a magical journey for the holidays.

Joy eventually forms new bonds with the people she meets along the way, and begins to rediscover herself along the way as well. Find list of Kristin Hannah’s book here

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Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery is the beloved author of Anne of Green Gables, and this compilation of her writing is perfect would be a good holiday book club read.

Containing both excerpts from her novels, as well as 14 more short stories previously published by the author, this book provides a wonderful sample of Montgomery’s beloved writing. Bringing a time long past into vivid detail, Montgomery’s writing has a transporting effect that is perfect for the Christmas season.

Fans of the Anne of Green Gables novels will still have plenty new to discover in this collection, with many of the stories having never been published in book form before.

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A Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

A Christmas Escape is a cozy and wonderful romance that takes readers on a journey into Lapland.

It follows Christy Sullivan and her family, as well as her best-friend Alix. Drama ensues when Christy seeks time alone with her husband, and Alix begins to develop feelings for her rival from the past, Zac.

Turmoil ensues, and both relationships are jeopardized, along with Christy and Alix’s lifelong friendship. The book tells two inspiring stories of both a pre-existing and newly budding romance.

Christy and Alix’s unique romances and close friendship, as well as the magical setting of the book, come together to make a perfect Christmas romance tale.

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Christmas for Beginners by Carole Matthews

Christmas for Beginners takes us to the wonderful setting of Hope Farm.

The story follows Molly Baker, who is tasked with creating a Christmas on the farm that will bring in enough money to keep the business afloat. With all the challenges that arise, Molly begins feeling overwhelmed and in need of support.

Enter Shelby, and Lucas, Molly’s family who she is excited to spend her Christmas alongside. Little does she know that Shelby has his own plans for the holidays in mind.

If you’re looking for a wonderful, lighthearted tale holiday book club read that creates a rural Christmas atmosphere, Christmas for Beginners is sure to charm.

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The Christmas Eve Letter by Elyse Douglas

The Christmas Letter is the first novel in Douglas’ Christmas Eve series and is a holiday-themed paranormal romance book featuring time travel.

It centers around Eve Sharland who finds an unopened letter from 1885 in an antique store. To her surprise, the letter is addressed to her!

This letter takes her on a journey that eventually leads her to travel back in time to New York City in 1885. This is where she meets Patrick Gantly and is sent into a romance taking place well over 100 years before her time.

The Christmas Eve Letter would be a great Christmas book club book as it’s a romance with a paranormal twist.

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A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid

A perfect choice for the animal lovers out there, A Dog Named Christmas is an inspiring story of a dog who changed the lives of the family that took him in.

The book tells the story of Todd Mccray, a developmentally challenged man who is still living with his family in Kansas. When Todd hears news that a local animal shelter is looking for foster homes for its animals over the holidays, he begins begging his father to take in one of the animals.

After adopting the dog he names Christmas, Todd takes it upon himself to find all the other dogs from the shelter homes for the holidays.

Sure to put a smile on anyone’s face, this book is a kind-spirited and light-hearted tale of the difference a pet can make.

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Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

Winter Solstice is a classic found family tale of 5 strangers coming together over the holidays and changing each other’s lives for the better.

Set in the small Scottish town of Creagan, it is a tragedy that brings the main characters together for the holidays.

The story follows Elfrida, Oscar, Carrie, Lucy, and Sam, who have all experienced recent difficulties in their life, and are in desperate need of some holiday cheer.

The book was recently adapted into a made-for-TV movie.

This book will make readers feel all warm and fuzzy inside as they get to know each character and see how they rediscover the necessity of community and friendship over the holidays.

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Nantucket White Christmas by Pamela M. Kelley

Nantucket White Christmas is the 3rd book in Kelley’s 7 book long Nantucket Beach Plum Cove saga.

It follows Angela Stark, who despite being born around Christmas, has never taken a liking to the holidays. Angela’s Christmas plans go awry when she finds herself on the verge of homelessness.

She eventually receives a letter which sends her temporarily to Nantucket, or so she thinks. As she gets to know the Hodges family, and the Nantucket community as a whole, Angela begins to know what it’s like to belong.

The cozy and heartfelt tale can stand alone as a solo read but is perfect for fans of the full Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series.

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The Holiday Hunting Lodge by Jennifer Griffith

No stranger to holiday-themed romance, The Holiday Hunting Lodge is the third book in Griffith’s Christmas House series.

It centers around Jesse Parrish, a music composer who has the opportunity to write the score for a massive upcoming film. Unfortunately for him, he’s fallen behind on the 12 themes he needs ready for his Christmas deadline. Jesse seeks out a private plane to a mountain lodge where he can get some work done.

This reconnects him with Mattie, his girlfriend’s younger sister who’s secretly had a crush on him for years. When bad weather puts the two in danger, will they be able to keep their feelings a secret for long?

Following up on The Christmas Cookie House and The Sleigh Bells Chalet, all of Griffith’s Christmas House novels are sure to deliver cozy holiday romances.

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The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Everyone’s favorite chick lit or women’s fiction author Jenny Colgan is back with another heartwarming Christmas novel that captures holiday fun.

Having lost her job at a department store Carmen is clueless about her future. But when she is invited to celebrate Christmas with her over achiever sister- Sofia, she decides to travel to Edinburgh, half heartedly.

Although both sisters have never been besties, Sofia has decided to get Carmen a job in an old bookshop.

Lighthearted and feel-good holiday novel is a perfect addition to the Christmas-themed book club books. 

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Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber

Lindy Carmichael  decides to take a break from her graphic designer job and returns to her home in Washington for Christmas.

But a recent heart-break has taken every happiness away from her. Because of which  Lindy is unable to get into the holiday spirit.

Having noticed her daughter’s lack of enthusiasm, Lindy’s mother, Ellen asks her to write a letter to Santa. An old tradition that Lindy has followed as a young girl.

Little did she know that this age-old tradition can bring miracles to life.  

Love cozy Christmas romance books? Check this post->22 Best Christmas Romance Books Guaranteed To Get You in the Holiday Spirits

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The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

The Gift of the Magi is a classic Christmas tale of love and sacrifice that is perfect for festive season.

Set in New York, the story follows an impoverished young couple who deal with the challenge of buying Christmas gifts for each other. Despite having very little money each of them manage to get  very special presents for each other for the holiday season.

A heartwarming Christmas novella for your December book club discussion. 

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Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor

Next comes a holiday-themed historical fiction set in 1960’s rural Northern Ireland.

Doctor Barry Laverty is looking forward to his first ever Christmas in the village of Ballybucklebo with his girl friend. But soon he learns that she is too busy to come home.  Being the doctor of a small town means he has a hectic schedule.

Yet, the whole town comes together to celebrate the snowy nights with Christmas pudding and turkeys. 

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Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend by Willa Nash

Next comes a naughty and nice Christmas novella for the Christmas book club.

This quick holiday romance follows the childhood friends Heath and Stella.  They have liked each other since childhood, but now that both are grown ups, it’s time to express their mutual attraction.

But then there is Stella’s brother who is always on alert for players surrounding his sister.

Now that Heath is serious about Stella, will it be easy to express his true feelings. 

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The Present by Johanna Lindsey

If you want to discuss  Christmas-themed regency romance series in the holiday book club, you’ll love Johanna Lindsey’s Malory-Anderson Families Series.

The 6th book in the series, ‘ The Present’ is set in 1825. The Malorys are gathered in Haverston to celebrate Christmas. Then a mysterious present in an oddly shaped box arrives in the parlour.

The contents of it includes a unique journal with an extraordinary love story.

This fascinating story of love, mystery and adventure is worth your time.

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There you have the list of Christmas novels for book clubs!

What book are you most excited to read in your book club? Let me know in the comments.

Find more books for your book club

Stephy George
Stephy George

Hi I am Stephy ! I became a bookworm in my late twenties. So I created this little corner of books online to share my love of reading with YOU! I want to help you find the best books to read so you won’t ever have to worry about your next read!

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