With Christmas right around the corner, my thoughts have turned to wintry reads and holiday-themed fantasy. If you’re in a similar mood, then I have a whole list of prospects for you.
Classic Christmas books
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Most people have at least a passing familiarity with Narnia, but if you haven’t read these classic portal fantasies, then they’re definitely worth a try. I always recommend starting with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a tale of four children transported into a land cursed to endure a perpetual winter, unbroken by Christmas. Of course, curses are made to be broken, but you’ll have to read the story to find out what happens!
There are some beautiful editions of this tale, but my favorites are out of print. Of what’s currently available, I’m partial to the full-color illustrated edition.
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R Tolkien
Penned by J.R.R. Tolkien for his children, Letters from Father Christmas are full of whimsy and delight. If you have kids, it makes the perfect December read-aloud, but either way, they’re a fun bit of enchantment. The hardcover centenary edition with Tolkien’s own illustrations is an excellent choice (and as of this writing is 50% off).
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
While not one of my personal favorites, I appreciate the power of this story and of the journey undertaken by Scrooge in The Christmas Carol. It’s classic Victorian literature with a touch of the speculative in the form of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and an emphasis on what really matters in life, and you can find several lovely editions here and here.
Cozy Christmas books
If you’re in the mood for something light and cozy to brighten a dreary winter day, then this section is for you.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower
This book is part of a delightful historical series with a touch of fantasy, and I highly recommend you start at the beginning and work your way through these charming novellas. Volume 5 runs from November 1st through December 31st and has some lovely Christmas themes.
The Twelve (Faerie) Days of Christmas by C.J. Brightley
I’m fond of books about fae, so when I came across Twelve Days of (Faerie) Christmas, I decided to give it a try. This sweet fantasy romance weaves elements of a traditional Christmas carol into a tale of love and friendship (along with fae, of course). If you’d like a quick romantic holiday read, then check this one out.
Goblins and Snowflakes by Melanie Karsak
A Christmas-themed retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker, this is another one with cozy romantic fantasy vibes, ideal for fairy tale lovers.
Reader-recommended Christmas books
These books were shared with me when I put forth a request for recommendations. I haven’t read any of them yet myself, but if you’re interested in continuing to explore holiday fantasy, then check out the below titles.
Nutcracker of Crystalfall (A Fae Nutcracker Retelling) by K.L. Moody
Christmas Core (A Holiday Dungeon Core novella) by Jonathan Brooks
A Superhero for Christmas by H.L. Burke
I hope you find something here to enjoy, and if you have other suggestions, leave a comment to let me know!