It's finally December. The Christmas tree is going up, the decorations and lights are up and shining brightly at you, reminding you that it's that time of year again. The most wonderful time of the year. So we decided to pick out our favourite books that bring out the Christmas spirit or something to warm us up during these cold winter nights. 

 With the winter holidays and Christmas breaks just around the corner, snuggling up with a good book and a warm beverage has finally gone from fantasy to reality. So from fantasy to contemporary, from historical to modern, we're sharing our picks of the top ten reads which will be keeping us warm in the following months.



1. My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de la Pena, Gayle Foreman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor and Kierstan White

You can't go wrong with this book. It's a bunch of short stories, all set around Christmas and bound to keep yoou warm on those cold nights. They're all cute romance stories that will make you smile while you're wrapped up in a cosy blanket and a hot chocolate. Perfect. We also have a giveaway for this book so don't forget to enter!

2. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons



As far as winter and Christmas-time go(es), The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons is a no-brainer. If the cover isn't a dead giveaway in and of itself, the Russian winter setting should be enough to justify grabbing this historical romance to keep us warm during those chilly days and snowy nights that lay ahead.




Can you imagine celebrating Christmas at Hogwarts? Seeing Hogwarts covered in snow and gazing up at those amazing decorations and huge Christmas trees. I'd love to cozy up in the common room with a hot butterbeer and watch the falling snow. 

4. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

As with some of the other books on this list, the cover alone should be enough to suggest that this is a winter book. Set during a NYC winter, it includes all beloved Christmastime staples: from treasure hunts to chance encounters, from an intimate connection in a city of billions to an unforgettable romance.

5. The Night Before Christmas by Scarlett Bailey




I read this book a couple of years a go, it's a cute, funny and very good book to get you into the spirit of Christmas. It's a chick-lit contemporary about people being snowed in with a few people she wishes she wasn't. If you like something light-hearted, you'll like this one.

6. Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch


Snow like Ashes follows Meira, a heroine struggling to reclaim the power and magic of the fallen Kingdom of Winter after its defeat sixteen years previously. It's certainly a winter-time book. At The Honest Bookclub, we feel that winter is a perfect time for fantasy, and there's hardly better fantasy than the kind where the winter is coming. Pun intended.



Yeah, it's not the most Christmas-y story but the snowy atmosphere in Narnia is still something that will get you into the spirit. Snow definitely makes me feel Christmasy so you can't go wrong with heading through the wardrobe into that world of magic and beautiful scenery.

8. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Christmas tale of Christmastime by the man who invented Christmas. This beloved classic is easily the most famous Christmas book of all time. And that's really all the praise it needs.

9. The Gift by Cecelia Ahern




This is a Christmas-themed book revolving around wishes, second chances and telling us that time is precious, we should live for ourselves and do what makes us happy. A holiday story with true meaning. 

10. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

To notoriously mixed reviews, Shiver follows Sam, for whom winter is more than a change in season - it also means a change in self. During the harsh, winter months, Sam braves his transformation to a wolf deep within a forest with his pack. And it's only when the summer comes that Sam gets to be a human once more - and to truly be with a girl he loves. Shiver is one of Maggie Stiefvater's most iconic novels to date - perfect for these harsh, winter months.




We've shared our winter picks, and now we'd love to hear from you. Do you have some winter staples that you always go back to, or do you seek out new wintertime books every year? Any and all recommendations are more than welcome. Leave a comment below or find us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.