Halloween has passed and some people have Christmas trees trimmed in their homes. As the weather cools down (hopefully!) and we get to turn on fireplaces (maybe!), there is nothing better than curling up with a good book for the holiday season. These recommendations are not all holiday specific, but will give you a cozy feel to settle into.
If you have read any of my previous posts like this one or this one, you may see a theme that I love books with a touch of magical realism if not full out fantasy. I know those aren’t for everyone. My favorite read so far this year does just that, and I went into this book nearly blind and was so surprised throughout the plot that I don’t want to spoil it for others. But if you want a book set in the Appalachia mountains of North Carolina, that feels a lot like the place we call home, filled with mystery, suspense, and romance, I cannot recommend The Unmaking of June Farrow enough.
Another favorite read that you would think is a little more of a Halloween vibe than Christmas because it’s witchy, is The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. This book is filled with all the cozy, family, and holiday spirit kind of love to make a perfect book as we transition from fall to the holiday season — just as the season does in the story!
If you’re not one of those ready to put up a Christmas tree yet and would rather still be wrapped up in the fall leaves and pumpkin spice, a trending favorite right now is The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. This book doesn’t have substantial twist and turns or a lot of suspense, but it does have a sweet budding romance and new beginnings that may be perfect for you! This author also just released a new one called The Christmas Tree Farm which I haven’t picked up yet!
If you want to use your reading time to spend with your kiddos, a couple great books that may whisk them into the holiday season right along with you are a few classics. I adore chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because it talks about Christmas at Hogwarts and all the excitement in that first year! A book has been released recently that is called Christmas at Hogwarts and is dedicated to just this chapter. It’s filled with gorgeous illustrations to draw in both you and your children.
Another classic with illustrated letters and just as enchanting is Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien.
