What’s On My Holiday Reading List

Here’s the holiday reading list I promised to share! As I mentioned earlier this month, now that we are in the holiday season, I’m all about reading books based around the holidays, December, or Winter months! Most of these books are thought provoking and really puts you into perspective what is really important in life, Even though these are Christmasy books, they’re not all appropriate for young kids since there are several based on relationships.

A lot of these books takes place in a small town in the United States or outside the country. Which really ignites my urge to want to travel again!

Holiday Reading List

1 One Charmed Christmas by Sheila Roberts

Catherine is hoping for a more jolly Christmas since it’s the first without her husband and kids. Catherine explores the world when she gets invited to a Christmas cruise and meets a new friend Sophie. Then Catherine and Sophie meet the charming Dr. Nichols who seems like a perfect match for Sophie. But there is also Trevor who is interested in Sophie as well. Now Catherine and Sophie wonder if anything can happen during Christmas.

2 The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

Graham is a grumpy local and named his diner The Tourist Trap to mock the tourists. Instead, it has lead several tourists to his diner. Zoey’s bucket list is to see the entire of Alaska. An act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham’s world and realizes there’s more to the grumpy local.

3 Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenhaler

This is book 2 from The Tourist Attraction. Lana is what this small town of Alaska can’t stand – rich socialite who thinks they can make things better. Lana is out there to prove the locals wrong. The last few years has been rough on Rick and Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the moose. This turns out to be an all out Christmas war, but they need to capture the moose before it destroys the town. Lana and Rick might finally find a place where they belong.

4 One Christmas Morning by Isabelle Broom 

Evangeline is not feeling festive this December because it is reminder her that she lost her mother. She’s been feeling so alone until she discovers her birth mom’s identity. Now that Evangeline is traveling to New Zealand, can she confront the mother that gave her up?

5 In A Holidazae by Christina Lauren

Christina is having a mental meltdown. She hates her going no-where job, made a romantic error, and it is her last Christmas at her favorite place in the world, their Utah Cabin. As she was driving away, she ask the universe to please show me what makes me happy. Next thing she knows, tires screech and everything goes black.

6 One Christmas in Paris by Mandy Baggot

Ava and her best friend arrived in Paris just when the snow starts to fall and the entire city looks magical. Ava is trying to get over her cheating ex and reminds herself there’s more to life than men. Then she meets the charming and handsome Julien. She can’t deny the chemistry they have. But can Ava really trust Julien?Or will she go home with a broken heart.

7 The Twelve Dates of Christmas

When it comes to relationships, Kate is ready to say ‘Bah humbug.” There’s rarely any prospects and she is fulfilled in her career. But her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises she will find love before the holidays. It’s 23 days until Christmas which means 12 dates with 12 different men. Each date seems to be more and more disastrous.

8 A Princess For Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Leo has a lot on is plate from taking care of his younger sister Gabby, driving a cab, to being a super in his apartment. One day, Gabby spots a princess trying to hail a cab and convinces Leo to help her. Princess Marine is a damsel in distress after the death of her mother, her father is in deep depression,  and she has to save her country. Leo agrees to be her driver the entire trip. But it turns out Leo discovers the princess is all  wrong for him.

9 I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Karen Clarke

Nina Bailey loves Christmas but this year her husband-to-be cheated on her and she’s not in the jolly mood. So she decides to stay with her Aunt Dolly and meets Ryan. Ryan overhears him make fun of her which leads them to not getting along. Aunt Dolly is going through great lengths to make sure Nina has the best Christmas and now makes Nina wonder if she can resist the magic of Christmas.

10 The Little Shop On Silver Linings Street by Emma Davies

Daisy has worked for the Buchanan’s Family Jewellers for a long time. The owner decides to retire and give the shop to one of the three sons that can create the perfect Christmas jewelry for Daisy. Daisy has a secret. When the shop closes, she creates her own sparkles. As each son try to swoon her, Daisy starts to fall for Kit. But she questions if Kit is just doing all this to win the competition and shop.

11 Christmas in London by Anita Hughes

Louisa is works at a bakery and a week before Christmas a show’s cooking assistant walks wanting to buy all the cinnamon rolls since the original rolls were burned. Next day, Louisa finds out her cinnamon rolls are hit and is asked to step in for a Christmas TV Special. Lousia sees this as an opportunity, but also finds her self stuck with dealing old and new flames.

12 Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes

Emma walks in a pawn shop and discovered a watch she engraved for her ex-boyfriend Fletcher. Bronwyn, Emma’s best friend, is convinced it is a sign and sets her up to stay at inn in Vermont where Fletcher is. When Emma arrives, she sees Fletcher with his daughter and fiancée. This fairytale trip seems to fail and it will take a miracle to save the inn and her heart.

1 Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Vivian tags along with her daughter’s work trip to England to style a royal family member. Vivian is so excited about her holiday and explores all the British sites. What she didn’t expect is to fall for the private secretary. This private secretary falls for her too and they try to find excuses to spend time together. The only thing is that they only have until the New Year. I love this book. It is so cute and I shared my thoughts about it in this post.

2 25 Days ‘Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander

Kate Potter loved Christmas. She’d start wrapping presents in September and start counting down to Christmas in October. That all changed when her husband left for the army and never came back one holiday season. And now she can’t stand December. She realizes that her son needs to experience a true Christmas and tries to make an effort this year. Through this process, she learned that even if you have the most laid out plans, you can’t plan for the unexpected.

3 Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

It’s been years since I read a Sophie Kinsella book. This is the same author that wrote Confessions of a Shopaholic (which later turned into a movie featuring Isla Fisher). Becky has been looking forward to going back to her parents to celebrate Christmas. It is in a cute town where they celebrated all their Christmas traditions. This time around, things changed. Her parents want to move out of their town to a trendier town and asked Becky to host Christmas this year. Her sister demands a vegan turkey, and pretty much the holiday season has been chaotic and Becky wonders if she can bring back the joy of Christmas. Just like all the Shopaholic books, this book has a lot of hilarious great lines.

4 We Met in December by Rosie Curtis

Jess moved to London to follow her dreams. She ends up falling for one of her neighbors and plans on how they will see each other more often. She left for a Christmas holiday and when she returned, Alex (the neighbor she fell in love with) has a new girlfriend and it is their other neighbor. Now she runs into them and tries to figure out how to avoid them.

5 One Day in December by Josie Silver

This is also from the 2019 Summer reading list you all recommended! Laurie swears she found the man she’s supposed to spend the rest of her life with. One day at a bus stop she spots this man and instantly felt a connection with him. They never said a word to one another and after that day she spent a year looking for him. Then her best friend introduces her to her new boyfriend and it is the guy from the bus stop. Laurie is torn because she’s still in love with him. For 10 years, it goes through all 3 of their lives on friendships, heartbreaks, and destinies.

6 Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand (Book 1)

This is book one of the Winter Street series. Kelley Quinn is the owner of the Winter Street Inn and is a father of four. All 4 of his kids are grown up and living in different states and all have a story. Kelley decided he wanted to get all his kids together for the holidays. But when they all came together there’s a love triangle, unplanned pregnancy, federal crimes, and tons of drama & chaos. Somehow it all comes together in the end.

7 Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand (Book 2)

Winter Stroll is the second book of the Winter Street series. The Quinn family is together for the 2nd time during Christmas. Just when things are finally slowing down and becoming peaceful, Kelley’s estranged wife shows up. The Inn is filled with surprise guests, past lovers, and now the Quinn family is asking for a Christmas miracle.

8 Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand (Book 3)

This is the third book of the Winter Street series. There’s a historic blizzard approaching Nantucket which is threatening the Quinns to stay away from the Inn. This could mean they all won’t be together for the holidays and can’t celebrate a family wedding. The Quinns will have to figure out how to survive this blizzard.

9 Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand (Book 4)

The final book of the Winter Street series. It’s been awhile since the Quinn family got together for the holidays. There is good news happening with the Quinn family and they want to celebrate together during Christmas. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Quinn family gathering if it all goes smoothly. All in all, this book is about celebration of love.

10 Christmas at the Little Knitting Box by Helen J. Rolfe

This is another Christmas series, and this is the first book. Christmas is happening in New York. The Little Knitting Box in the West Village is about to have a change. This store has been in Cleo’s family for four decades and she’s been doing an incredible job running it. Dylan is a stay-at-home dad trying to pick up the pieces from a tumultuous few years – marriage broke down, his mother passed away, and lacks stability. When Dylan and Cleo’s worlds collide, they both have to make hard decisions. Will Cleo allow herself to be part of another family while her own fell part? Will Dylan follow his heart or his head?

11 Snowflakes and Mistletoe at the Inglebook Inn by Helen J. Rolfe

Second book of this series. New York is approaching the holidays and Darcy is heading back to Manhattan. She’s in charge of the Inglebrook Inn and the inn needs a boost of bookings. Darcy thinks hosting Christmas will give the Inn the boost it needs. She unexpectedly runs into someone from the past (Myles), and disaster strikes. Can Darcy and Myles set their differences aside?

I didn’t list this but the 3rd book of this series is Wedding Bells on Madison Avenue.

12 An Heirloom Christmas by Megan Squires

Chrissy Davenport loves Heirloom Point (a small town) during the Christmas season. During the annual wreath auction, Chrissy starts receiving handwritten notes and she can’t make sense of the memories coming back. Nick is a hockey superstar and his career ended due to an injury. The town is chattering about his failed career and relationship. Suddenly he finds himself back to a Christmas tradition he thought he left behind. Will Nick and Chrissy discover that some Christmas heirlooms aren’t actual things but instead bring back nostalgic memories?

More Reading Recommendations

As you can tell, the majority of the books I shared are based around the holiday season / Christmas season. But if you just want a really good book to read during this season, I highly recommend checking out Bill Gates’ holiday reading list. I recently discovered this and had no idea he gives out a list of his favorite reads. And it looks like a good list too!

Basically, Bill Gates consumes over 50 books a year and he shares his top 5 books! Bill Gates shares a genre of books from civil war to science fiction to World War II to even short stories! If you’re really into meditation, he recommends one book that he and his wife are into. For me, I’m into a memoir he recommended, Educated.

What holiday books will you read this year?

xo RD