Looking for historical fiction books for the summer? I think this is a great genre to explore in the summer as the books make you feel like you have traveled to a different time and place.

While I never thought of myself as a historical fiction reader, some of the best books I’ve read are in that genre.

Some historical fiction books are as action packed as any thriller. Some are so expertly crafted with thoroughly developed characters that they rival the best literary fiction. And some are mystery puzzles that need to be solved.

I find that historical fiction fall into two categories:

• Stories that take you through a specific historical event such as a war.
• Stories that give you a glimpse into what life was like during a certain time in a certain place.

How I chose books for this list? I started with books that I personally read and loved and thought would make great picks for summer reading. I then surveyed readers from real life or from reading groups I’m in for their recommendations for summer. I then looked up each title on GoodReads and picked the books with highest ratings.

You can feel confident with the books on this carefully crafted reading list of historical fiction books for summer.

Let’s dive in!

Historical Fiction Books for Summer

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (1780s)

I wouldn’t have personally picked a book about a frozen river for a summer reading book, but sooo many readers said this book needs to go on your summer TBR list! Described as a historical mystery, The Frozen River tells the story of a real midwife who lived in Maine in the late 1700s who is called upon to determine the cause-of-death of a man who is found dead in a local river after it freezes over. The midwife thinks it’s clearly murder; while a local Harvard educated doctor thinks otherwise. This launches the midwife into an investigation to learn more about what happened. Months before he was found dead, a woman confided in Martha that the man found dead was part of a duo who raped her. Fans describe this book as gripping and atmospheric page-turner.

buy the book!

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller (1860s)

The American Queen tells the story about a group of formerly enslaved Americans who were forced out of their homes in Mississippi. They travel northward in search of their own land where they could settle and establish their own community, and they do just that under the leadership of their sweet queen and king in a series of providential events. This is a beautiful and true story about loyalty, survival, trust, power, love, and forgiveness.

Reading note: Great on audio! (My favorite part was when the narrator would sing. She really brought Louella to life.)

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Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty (1870s)

Two old-timer cowboys, Gus and Call, decide to saddle up for one last adventure: driving a herd of cattle from their Texas ranch all the way to Montana. Along the dusty trail, they face challenges, forge new friendships with a ragtag group of cowboys, and grapple with the fading glory of their Ranger days. The journey is a bittersweet reminder of life, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. Historical fiction fans rave about this book and say it is a must-read.

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Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (1880s)

This is the first book in the Amelia Peabody series. Peabody is a strong-willed Victorian woman who inherits a fortune and sets off for Egypt to fulfill her passion for Egyptology. On her journey, she befriends Evelyn, a young woman in need of a protector. Together, they travel up the Nile to an excavation site, where they encounter a grumpy archaeologist, a suspicious mummy, and a plot that threatens Evelyn’s life. Amelia, with her sharp wit and resourcefulness, must unravel the mystery and keep her new friend safe. Some people find Amelia annoying, but I love her. In my opinion her overconfidence is part of her charm. She literally had me laughing out loud.

Go here if you want more Ancient Egyptian historical fiction.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

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Lovely War by Julie Berry (1910s)

I loved this book! There is a lot of historical fiction written about World War II; this one is about World War I. It’s written in the context of a love story (hence, the title of the book). It also has a very unique context because in the background you will meet the Greek gods Aphrodite, Hephaestus, and Ares who are all playing a role in the story. Aphrodite is on trial for meddling in people’s lives! To defend herself, she recounts a tale of four characters during World War I. There’s Hazel, a talented pianist yearning for love, and James, a soldier headed for war. Across the battlefield, Colette, a brave singer with a tragic past, finds solace in the music of Aubrey, a talented jazz musician facing prejudice. As war stretches its cruel hand, these four must fight for love, friendship, and hope amidst the chaos.

Reading note: If you’re looking for this one in your local bookstore or library, expect to find it in the young adult section.

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The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald (1920s)

To say this book is a historical fiction book about the Scopes Monkey Trial doesn’t do it justice. Yes, it is definitely about that, and I loved getting this on-the-ground view of that pivotal trial, but it’s really a story about a young woman named Annabel Craig. Annabel has to navigate living on her own after both her parents died when she was a young teenager, a marriage with an up-and-coming local lawyer, the biggest event to ever happen in Dayton, Tennessee, and her faith in God in the face of it all. I thought it was all beautifully told in this book by Lisa Grunwald. Also, Grunwald can write!

buy the book!

Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (1930s)

This is a recent read of mine, but I think it’s sooo good. This book could also fall under the mystery and literary fiction genres. This book had been on my TBR list since it came out last summer. I’m only sad that it took me so long to read it. I enjoyed it so much that it gave me a serious book hangover after I finished it. I simply wanted more. The book centers around a Jewish couple, Moshe and Chona. Moshe owns the local theater, and Chona owns the local grocery store. The book explores race issues, anti-semitism, class, and what happens when all of these things intersect.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

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The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (1930s)

It’s 1936 in Kentucky where we meet Cussy (Mary) Carter, a clever woman, who is one of the “blue people” of Kentucky. Despite facing prejudice, she takes a job as for the Pack Horse Library Project, delivering books on horseback to families in the Appalachian mountains. Along the way, she befriends lonely and desperate people, challenges their suspicions, and shares the magic of good books in a world full of despair and hardship. This book is a reminder that books can connect communities and offer hope even in tough times. This is a book about friendship, hope, mercy, and compassion.

Content Warnings: Sexual assault, death, starvation

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The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (1930s)

The Giver of Stars also tells the story of the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, but through a different character. Alice escapes a her stuffy life in England by marrying an American man, but small-town Kentucky isn’t much better. When she has a chance to join the library group delivering books part of one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s projects, Alice volunteers. Alongside a group of women, Alice braves the mountains to bring the joy of reading to remote communities. Facing prejudice and danger, these unlikely friends learn the power of books, friendship, resilience, and compassion.

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The Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini (1929 to 1946)

Did you know that there was an American woman who was put to death by the Gestapo during World War II? Neither did I until I read this book. Her name is Mildred Harnack, and she was a Wisconsin native. In fact, in America’s Dairyland they observe Mildred Fish Harnack Day every September. The Resistance Women follows four women from different walks of life and takes them from pre-World War II until Harnack’s execution. This is another one of those books that has stuck with me even though I read it more than five years ago. If you’ve ever wondered how the Nazis were able to gain the power they did, this book does such a good job of showing how slowly and subtly they increased their power.

buy the book!

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (1939 to 1959)

This book follows three women during World War II. Caroline Ferriday, a socialite from New York, works tirelessly to aid Polish women subjected to medical experiments at Ravensbrück concentration camp. Kasia, a young Polish girl, faces unimaginable horrors in the camp but finds hope in Caroline’s determination to help. Meanwhile, German doctor Herta Oberheuser grapples with moral dilemmas as she becomes involved in the Nazi regime’s atrocities. Through their stories, this book sheds light on historical character. This is a book about resilience, determination, and friendship.

buy the book!

If I Were You by Lynn Austin (1940s)

If I Were You is an epic novel that tells the story of life in England during World War II through the lens of two women who are the same age, but polar opposites in every other way. The book starts in the present, in 1950 in the United States, when widowed war bride Audrey Clarkson and her young son show up at the home of the parents of her deceased husband in Connecticut to find her old longtime friend Eve Dawson pretending to be her. The book then goes back and tells how they got to where they are and why.

I loved this book! It is beautifully written and has such well-developed characters. If you like historical fiction, especially World War 2 historical fiction, definitely check this one out!

Check out my full review of If I Were You.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

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Go as a River by Shelley Read (1940s)

This novel is set on a Colorado peach farm during the 1940s. It follows Victoria Nash, a young woman who navigates the challenges of love, loss, and resilience after a tragic accident changes her life. As she seeks a fresh start, Victoria discovers the strength within herself and the beauty of forging her own path. The book beautifully intertwines themes of nature, family, and the enduring human spirit, making it a heartwarming and inspiring read. This would make for a great peach-themed book club pick!

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The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali (1950s)

This is an love story set against the backdrop of 1950s Tehran. It follows Roya, a young woman who finds solace and romance in a quaint stationery shop, where she meets her first love, Bahman. Their relationship is torn apart by political upheaval, but decades later, Roya gets a chance to reconnect with Bahman and uncover the truth about their past. This beautifully written novel explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory, making it a heartfelt and memorable read. This book goes back and forth between the past and the present, and it had me hooked from page one. Soooo good!

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The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys (1950s)

I’m embarrassed to say that I literally knew nothing about Franco’s Spain post-WWII until I read this book. This book follows the lives of several characters who live in Franco’s Spain and the visiting Americans who only see a curated version. As the name implies, one of the themes of this book is silence — because silence is how you survive living under a totalitarian regime. If you do anything to draw attention to yourself, it’s a recipe for disaster. The book switches between the different characters, slowly revealing the truth about some of the incredulous actions and projects the government is working on. It is interspersed with excerpts from U.S. government documents about life in Spain during this time.

Note: You will find this book in the YA section of your bookstore. Also, I don’t recommend this one on audio unless you know Spanish. It includes a lot of Spanish phrases, but the physical book includes a glossary to help with translation.

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Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (1970s)

I’m going to warn you . . . this is a gut-wrenching story, but I also think that its an important read. This book is set in 1970s Alabama. It follows Civil Townsend, a young nurse who becomes deeply involved in the lives of two young sisters and discovers a shocking injustice within the healthcare system. As Civil fights for the girls’ rights and navigates her own moral dilemmas, the story highlights themes of compassion, courage, and the fight for justice. This book sheds light on a dark chapter in American history, which is the reason why I think it’s worth reading.

buy the book!

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson (1990s)

I loved this book and am surprised I haven’t heard more people talk about it. This is a 1990s-era coming-of-age novel that takes place over a summer when two teenagers decide to create a poster as a joke during their summer break. The poster becomes a sensation and causes chaos throughout the town. As someone who grew up during the 90s, this book resonated with me and perfectly captures the nostalgia and essence of a 90s summer. I loved how Kevin Wilson brought that era to life.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

buy the book!

What historical fiction books are you most excited to read this summer? I would love to hear about it. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The post (Time) Travel With These 17 Historical Fiction Books for Summer appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

If you’re looking for a great summer read, Emily Henry’s books always seem to capture that perfect summer vibe. In recent years, her books have become perfect go-to reads that feel just right when you’re looking for something light but not completely mind-numbing to read when you’re heading to the beach or the pool. 

I also think Henry is a great author if you are someone who is looking to get back into reading because her books are very approachable, well-written, easy to follow, and typically have a decent amount of humor mixed in.

While Henry’s recent books all fall in the category of contemporary adult romance, that’s not how she got started.

Her first four books were all young adult novels before she pivoted to adult fiction. Here is a breakdown of Henry’s books by genre: 

Young Adult:

• The Love That Split the World (2016)
• A Million Junes (2017)
• When the Sky Fell on Splendor (2019)
• Hello Girls (2019)

Contemporary Adult Romance: 

• Beach Read (2020)
• People We Meet On Vacation (2021)
• Book Lovers (2022)
• Happy Place (2023)
• Funny Story (2024)
• Great Big Beautiful Life (2025)

One of the things I personally enjoy about her adult fiction is that several of them include characters who are also book lovers or writers, which, as a book lover myself, I can always relate to. 

My personal rankings. Of the Emily Henry books I’ve read, here is how I rank them. (That being said, the first three could almost be a tie. The only book on this list I didn’t enjoy as much is Book Lovers.)

1. People We Meet On Vacation. This is a friends-to-lovers romance, and one of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was the fun banter between the two main characters. I think it made it a fun read.
2. Beach Read. This was my first Emily Henry book. The two main characters are writers, and I loved the realistic glimpse into the writing life while they navigate their personal struggles.
3. Funny Story. This one starts out heavy because it begins with the main characters going through break-ups, but it gets lighter as it progresses. The love interest in this book might be my favorite of Henry’s books. He’s simply the most fun of the group.
4. Book Lovers. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance, and I don’t know if it was the trope or that the main character is the ice-queen type, but it was my least favorite. I think I prefer characters that are still figuring out life because they come across as more realistic. This is also the spiciest of the three.

Note that these are just my personal opinions. I’ve seen people who rank them in the exact opposite order

Here are Emily Henry’s books in order!

Emily Henry Books in Order

01

The Love That Split the World (2016)

Henry’s debut novel is referred to as “Friday Night Lights meets The Time Traveler’s Wife.” In Natalie Cleary’s small Kentucky hometown, strange things start happening, like her town disappearing and seeing glimpses of alternate realities. A mysterious apparition named “Grandmother” tells her she has three months to save someone.

Then, Natalie meets a boy named Beau and they share an intense connection. Natalie must take a leap of faith and risk everything for a chance at a new world with Beau. Fans describe this novel “gut-wrenching” with “unique twists” and “a journey to embrace.” This novel is recommended for grades 9 and up. 

02

A Million Junes (2017)

In this story, Jack “June” O’Donnell has always been told to stay away from the Angert family. But when she meets Saul Angert, everything changes. June begins to question her family’s deep hatred of the Angerts and the century-old rift between their families. As their connection grows, they uncover the truth about a curse that has haunted their bloodlines for generations

Now June must decide if it’s time to let go of her family’s grudge and embrace a new future. Great for fans of fantasy and magical realism.  This novel is recommended for children 12 years of age and up.

03

When the Sky Fell on Splendor (2019)

In the small town of Splendor, Ohio, a devastating explosion at the local steel mill has left many residents affected. Seventeen-year-old Franny, whose brother is in a coma as a result of the accident, finds solace in a group of friends called The Ordinary. They spend their time investigating local ghost stories and filming their adventures for YouTube.

However, everything changes when they encounter a real and dangerous phenomenon from the sky. It is described as The Serpent King meets Stranger Things. Fans say this book is a mix of friendship and grief combined with the supernatural. Henry says this is “probably my favorite book I’ve written.” This novel is recommended for children 12 years of age and up.

04

Hello Girls (2019)

Emily Henry co-wrote this book with Brittany Cavallaro. Hello Girls is a story about teenage girls Winona Olsen and Lucille Pryce, who form a strong bond when they meet outside a police station. Both girls are facing difficult situations in their lives – Winona suffers abuse from her seemingly perfect father, while Lucille feels trapped by her family’s involvement in drugs.

hey decide to escape their circumstances and need money and a stolen car to make their getaway to Las Vegas. Emily Henry describes this book as “a good book full of very bad ideas.” Fans describe this book as a “wild ride” and a book that features “dark comedy, fierce feminism, and a poignant friendship.” While Henry’s first three books were all in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. This one is definitely realistic fiction. Recommended for teenagers from age 14 to 17.

05

Beach Read (2020)

This was the first book I read by Henry when it came out in 2020. Beach Read explores themes of grief, forgiveness, love, and vulnerability. The story follows January Andrews, a renowned romance author facing financial struggles and a severe case of writer’s block. After inheriting a beach house from her recently deceased father, she decides to spend the summer there in hopes of finding inspiration for her next book while she battles some serious writer’s block.

She’s also considering selling the property to alleviate her financial burdens. To her astonishment, January discovers that her next-door neighbor is none other than Augustus Everett, who goes by “Gus,” a literary fiction writer who also happens to be her former college rival.

Despite their contrasting styles and backgrounds, they start to form a friendship that blossoms into more, which is helped by the vicinity of their two beach houses. Given the beach setting of this book, Beach Read would make a great addition to your summer reading list.

• Romance Trope: Enemies-to-lovers
• Note: This book contains open door scenes, but they are brief and I found they were easy to skip. 

06

People We Meet On Vacation (2021)

People We Meet on Vacation is the second Henry book I read after hearing a ton of people rave about it. Poppy and Alex are best friends who are also polar opposites and have a strong bond despite their differences. They used to spend a week together every summer, but a falling out caused them to stop talking, which also meant no more summer trips.

Poppy, a travel writer who lives in New York City, decides to mend their friendship by convincing Alex to go on one last vacation together. Surprisingly, he agrees. Now, with just a week to repair their relationship, Poppy must confront a hidden truth that could jeopardize everything.

This last chance romance is supposed to be a When Harry Met Sally retelling. I literally laughed out loud at parts of this book. It definitely is a lighter read than Beach Read.

• Romance Trope: Friends-to-lovers
• Note: Open Door (but I didn’t think it was too over the top)

07

Book Lovers (2022)

Nora Stephens is a cutthroat literary agent and caring sister. When her beloved little sister Libby suggests a trip to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Nora agrees, hoping for a transformative adventure. Instead, she keeps encountering Charlie Lastra, an editor she has met before in less-than-ideal circumstances. As they continue to meet by chance, their preconceived notions about themselves may be challenged.

Great for those who love an enemies-to-lovers romance. This book is described by fans as “heartwarming and steamy” with “excellent subplots” while also being “witty, funny, great banter-depth to the story.”

• Romance Trope: Enemies to Lovers
• Note: Contains open-door sex scenes. (Definitely steamier than the previous two.)

08

Happy Place (2023)

Harriet and Wyn, who were once the perfect couple, broke up six months ago but haven’t told their friends. Now, they find themselves sharing a bedroom at their annual Maine cottage getaway. They must pretend to be fine even though they still harbor feelings for each other, all while trying to enjoy their last week together in this special place. It’s a challenging task, but they’re determined to keep up appearances in front of their closest friends.

I mean, what could go wrong? This book includes themes of friendship and heartbreak with a heroine that one fan described as “a contradictory but yet understandable character.”

09

Funny Story (2024)

Daphne is living alone in a small Michigan town following a devastating breakup with her fiancé after he realized he was in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Post break-up, Daphne decides to stay in the same town because of a commitment she has to her job as a children’s librarian. But she is having a hard time making ends meet and needs a roommate.

Who else would understand her predicament better than Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles, who also needs a place to live? Initially, they live pretty separate lives until a friendship starts to form, and they decide to post fake photos of themselves on social media to taunt their exes. You can only imagine what happens after that. I love the fake romance trope, and I thought this one was a lot of fun. Miles is just a lot of fun. I also loved the friendship Daphne forms with one of her co-workers. I love it when books have layers because it makes the book more interesting and adds depth to the story.

• Romance Trope: Fake romance, friends to lovers, opposites attract
• Note: Open Door

10

Great Big Beautiful Life (2025)

This is Henry’s latest novel, which was released in April 2025.

Alice and Hayden are two writers competing for the chance to write the biography of a tragic heiress on a remote Georgia island, who is meeting with the two separately and testing their abilities to see who will win the honors. Logic would tell you that Hayden would win this

literary competition, given his notoriety and a Pulitzer Prize under his belt. But Alice has a lot going for her — she’s genuinely likable, she’s driven to finally have her big break, and it’s clear that Hayden sees her as a genuine threat. And of course, a romance is starting to brew between these two. Early readers have said that this book has a similar vibe to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid but with more of a rom-com feel.

• Romance Trope: Enemies to lovers
• Note: Open Door

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Emily Henry FAQs

Who is Emily Henry?

Emily Henry is a New York Times bestselling American author from Cincinnati, Ohio, who says she also spends time in the part of Kentucky that is south Cincinnati. Henry attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she studied creative writing. She spent the years after graduating from college as a technical writer. She published her first novel in 2016, The Love That Split the World, which was a YA magical realism novel. She published three more YA novels before publishing her first adult romance in 2020.

What Kind of Books Does Emily Henry Write?

Henry’s first four novels are in the young adult fantasy/magical realism genre. Her last four novels are in the adult contemporary romance genre. 

What is Emily Henry’s Most Popular Book?

Happy Place is the most popular Henry book on GoodReads, with an average rating of 4.19/5 stars (as of this writing). Book Lovers is a close second, with an average rating of 4.18/5 stars (as of this writing). 

(I find that GoodReads members tend to be pretty tough critics, so having a rating above 4.0 is a good sign.)

If you like audiobooks, her adult romance novels, all have ratings of 4.2/5 stars or higher on Audible. Book Lovers has the highest rating with 4.6/5 stars. Beach Read has 4.5/5 stars.

In terms of most copies sold, People We Meet on Vacation sold a whopping 1.039 million copies as of March 2023. 

Which Emily Henry Book Should I Read First?

My personal recommendation is to start with her adult romance novels. One critic says that Henry has “cracked the modern romance novel.” I don’t always enjoy romance novels, but I like hers. 

I recommend reading the summaries above and pick the one that interests you the most.  

Do You Need to Read Emily Henry Books in order?

No. You do not need to ready any of Emily Henry’s books in order. None of Henry’s books are part of a series. They are all standalone novels, so they do not need to be read in any particular order.  That being said, Henry’s adult romance novels do reportedly contain some “Easter eggs” that reference characters in other books — something fun to look for!

Have Any Movies Been Made Out of Emily Henry Books?

No movies have been made out of Emily Henry’s books as of this writing, but three of her books have been optioned for film and are reportedly in the process of adaptation, according to Deadline.com:

• People We Meet on Vacation: This is the first book that was picked up in October 2022. Temple Hill and 3000 Pictures are producing it. Yulin Kuang is writing the screenplay, and Brett Haley is slated to direct it. 
• Book Lovers: Henry announced in March 2023 that Book Lovers was picked up by the studio Tango, and Sarah Heyward was tapped for the adaptation.
• Beach Read: Henry broke the news on her Instagram account on April 5 that Beach Read was the latest to be picked up for film adaptation. Yulin Kuang will both adapt and direct Beach Read, Deadline.com reported. 

How Many Emily Henry Books Are There in Total?

As of this writing in April, Henry has published a total of nine books. 

Which Emily Henry Book Are You Going to Read Next?

Have you read any Emily Henry books? What do you think about her books? If not, which one are you going to try first. I want to hear all about it!

Happy Reading!

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The post Emily Henry Books In Order: The Complete List appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

Is there such a thing as an easy to read classic novel?

Sometimes we shy away from classic literature because we are afraid it’s going to be boring with a capital B or be painful to get through due to archaic language and vocabulary. Some classic books take more effort to get through than others, but some are true page turners that you will not only be glad you read but you will truly enjoy the reading experience.

Now, I can’t say for sure what you will like or what you won’t like. We’re all different, and what worked for me may not work for you. And that’s okay.

On this list, I am only including books I have personal experience with. All of these books met two criteria that I think make them easy-to-read classics:

• The language itself isn’t difficult to navigate. I think this is the part that intimidates us the most when it comes to classic novels. We’re afraid that the language and syntax is going to be so antiquated that we won’t be able to make sense of it. This can definitely be true when you go back as far as Shakespeare or Chaucer, but most books that were written within the last couple of hundred years typically aren’t too bad.
• Compelling plots and characters. I think what makes an old book compelling is the same thing that makes any contemporary novel readable — a powerful plot that drives the story forward and compelling characters that you care deeply about, so you want to know what happens to them.

For me, these were all easy classics to read because, at some point in the reading process, they became unputdownable either because of the plot or because I cared so much about the characters I wasn’t going to stop reading until the book was over.

I think the books on this list are not only some of the easiest classic books to read, but they are also some of the best classic books as well as some of my personal faves.

I really hope you find a book on this great book-reading list that sounds like something you would want to read.

This post is all about easy to read classics you won’t want to put down.

Easy to Read Classics

The Odyssey by Homer (8th or 7th Century B.C.)

I know what you’re thinking . . . . How can a book that is almost 3,000 years old and written in verse be easy to read? Here’s the thing: The Odyssey is like reading a fast-paced adventure novel. When the book opens, Odysseus is being held in captivity by the enchantress Calypso who wants to marry him, and he has been away from home for close to 20 years. But Odysseus has an advocate in the goddess Athena who pleads with Zeus to let Odysseus return home. The Odyssey tells the story of how he makes it back to his home in Ithaca, all while his wife Penelope is back home with their son Telemachus, trying to put off the many suitors who are very impatiently waiting for her hand. You will want to keep turning the pages to find out if he’s able to make it home in time and reclaim his home.

Here is my tip for reading this book: pick a good translation. Here are some translations I recommend:

• Emily Wilson’s Translation (This is a newer translation, which means that it’s going to use more modern language.)
• Richmond Lattimore’s Translation (This is a classic translation that is still popular today.)
• Samuel Butler’s Translation (If you’re intimidated by reading a book in verse, this one is written in prose. This was the first translation I read, and I found it very approachable.)

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where to buy:

Amazon audible

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

This classic story is one of the few books that I have actually re-read. And I enjoyed it the second time as much as the first, if not more. Pride and Prejudice is one of those books that has enough interesting characters and plot twists that there were things I noticed the second time that I didn’t notice the first. I am also a Jane Austen completist meaning that I’ve read all of her books. In the world of super-fans, I guess you could say I am definitely a Jane Austen super fan. I’m also a huge fan of the BBC TV mini-series production.

If you love audiobooks, I highly recommend this version, which is read by actress Rosamund Pike. It is excellent!

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Emma by Jane Austen (1816)

Emma Woodhouse is “handsome, clever, and rich” with a “comfortable home and happy disposition.” And she’s a bit overconfident in her matchmaking skills. The main problem is that her matchmaking endeavors don’t really take into account the desires of her subjects, which leads to a series of misunderstandings and complications. She’s not only oblivious to the thoughts and feelings of others, but also her own feelings she has for the one and only Mr. Knightly. This is such a good book!

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1838)

I loved this book and the main character, Oliver Twist. Similar to Jane Eyre (below), he’s an orphan that you will want to root for. Oliver was raised under harsh conditions in a workhouse. When he dares to ask for more food, he is sent away to be an assistant to an undertaker. After horrible treatment from the undertaker, he joins a gang of pickpockets. He lives this life of crime until he is caught by a wealthy man, who takes pity on him and shows him kindness. There’s more that happens after that, but I don’t want to give the whole story away. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I felt like it flew by! I think Dickens’ gift is his ability to portray the social and economic inequalities of the time.

Something that has stuck with me from this book is the abject poverty in which the characters live. It makes what we call poverty in the United States seem like a much different thing by comparison.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843)

Ebenezer Scrooge not only hates Christmas, but he thinks it’s a complete waste of a day. He has no love for anything except making money. That all changes when he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who is now living in the afterlife in heavy chains because of how poorly he treated people. As Scrooge is shown his past, present, and future, he has an unlikely and very moving transformation. I never read the book until last year, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorite books.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

I fell in love with Jane from the first chapter. She is one of those characters that you will be rooting for from beginning to end. Jane was orphaned as a child and raised under hard conditions. She faces cruelty and isolation, shaping her into a strong-willed and principled young woman. When she is sent to a boarding school, she faces further hardship, but she also forms some friendships and gets an education. After school, she gets a job as a governess in the home of Mr. Rochester. Despite their differences in age and class, they form a friendship and fall in love. Unfortunately, on her wedding day she finds out that he is still married to a woman who suffers from severe mental illness that he keeps hidden in the attic. Even though she breaks off the wedding and leaves Rochester’s home, this relationship continues to drive the story.

I recently listened to this interview with Madeleine Kearns about Jane Eyre, in which she makes the case that Jane Eyre is a spiritual autobiography, which I thought was an interesting perspective.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is credited with pulling back the curtain on the harsh realities of slavery in America. Abraham Lincoln famously said when he met Stowe: “So this is the little lady who made this big war.” It follows the life of the main character, Uncle Tom, as he gets bought and sold to different owners and is forced to work and live under a variety of conditions. I think this is one of those books that everyone should read. It had me engaged from start to finish and was a total page-turner for me.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)

Little Women makes you feel like you are one of the March sisters as they navigate their journey from childhood to womanhood against the backdrop of the Civil War. This is a story about family, love, loss, friendship, and personal integrity. Which of the four sisters will you identify with the most — sensible Meg, tomboyish Jo, shy and gentle Beth, or Amy and her naive vanity? Expect to have a serious book hangover when this one is over.

where to buy:

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Amazon Audible

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)

I personally find Tom Sawyer annoying, but I love Huckleberry Finn. Finn is a much more sympathetic character because he has a lot more stacked against him. This American classic begins when Finn fakes his own death to escape his alcoholic and abusive father. Finn travels down the Mississippi River on a raft, seeking freedom, safety, and adventure. Along his journey, Huck meets Jim, a runaway slave seeking his own freedom. The book follows the two as they navigate their way down the river. This might be one of my all-time favorite books.

(This edition contains the original illustrations.)

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

The Call of the Wild by Jack London (1903)

The Call of the Wild by Jack London follows the life of a dog named Buck, who is a domesticated dog in Northern California. He is stolen from his owner and sold to join a team of dogs that serve those involved in the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon Territory in Canada, just East of the Alaska border. The new world he is brought into is completely new to him, and he has to quickly learn how to navigate this world in order to survive. Buck undergoes a complete transformation from a domesticated dog to a dog that not only serves humans but also learns how to survive in the wild. I thought it served as an interesting commentary on human nature as he has to learn how to work with different types of people, some good and some very bad. At just over 100 pages, this book is a short classic book.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (1908)

Anne of Green Gables begins when Matthew Cuthbert goes to pick up an orphan boy, whom he and his sister plan to adopt, to assist with farm chores. But unexpectedly, he finds himself bringing home a lively 12-year-old girl instead. Despite initial misgivings, particularly from his sister Marilla, the girl, Anne, gradually endears herself to them and becomes an integral part of their lives at Green Gables, their farm in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. The story explores themes of unexpected blessings, the richness of found families, and the beauty in embracing imperfection. Anne’s character, with her blend of flaws and charm, embodies the concept of finding “kindred spirits” in unlikely places, making the book a poignant celebration of life’s serendipitous moments and the enduring value of love and acceptance. This is not only one of the best books, it is also an easy read.

If you are interested in the Anne of Green Gables books, check out my complete guide here.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is a classic set in the summer of 1922, capturing the essence of the era through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who becomes fascinated by his enigmatic neighbor Jay Gatsby’s grand parties and mysterious past. The story centers around Gatsby’s undying love for Daisy Buchanan, whom he hopes to win back despite her being married. The novel explores themes of wealth, love, and desire, prompting readers to ponder the true value of these pursuits. At just 180 pages, it’s a compelling, thought-provoking read.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936)

Even if you have seen the movie, don’t let that stop you from reading this book. This book is a tome at more than 1,000 pages, but it is also a page-turner. It is vast in its breadth as it tells the story of the Civil War from just before the war began through to the Reconstruction. After reading this book, you will have a good familiarity with the Civil War, but you won’t feel like you just read a history book. The story is told by following Scarlett O’Hara, who is a young Southern Belle from Georgia when the story begins. The book is interspersed with brief chapters that tell you exactly what is going on with the war as the story unfolds.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a gothic thriller about a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and moves to his large estate, Manderley, only to find herself living in the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, whose presence lingers throughout the house and estate. The new Mrs. de Winter’s struggle with her identity and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Rebecca’s death lead to a dramatic revelation and the ultimate destruction of Manderley. This book is more than 400 pages, but it kept my attention from start to finish.

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where to buy:

Amazon Audible

Other Easy to Read Great Books to Consider:

I have not personally read all of the books on the list below, but these are books that other reader friends of mine have told me are easy to read.

• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
• The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Any book by Agatha Christie
• Any of books from the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Children’s Classics

I personally think that Children’s classics are a great way to dip your toe into classic literature without getting overwhelmed. I do not believe that good children’s books are only for children, and if you have never read any of these, then I recommend starting here. These books are like comfort food in a book:

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (seriously, anything by Roald Dahl is fantastic)
• Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White (Stuart Little is fantastic, too!)
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
• The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (and the rest of the Little House books — you seriously can’t go wrong with these books)
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
• The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Are there any other must-read classics you think would belong on this list? What easy classic book on this list are you excited to read? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

The post 30 Easy to Read Classics You Won’t Want to Put Down appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

There’s nothing better than reading a book you love by a new-to-you author and finding out that they have six previously published books that all sound just as interesting.

After falling in love with How to Read a Book by Monica Wood last year, I knew I wanted to read more books by Monica Wood. As far as I knew, she had only written one other book because that was all I ever heard other readers talk about.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she’s written a total of seven books: six novels and one memoir. She also has three plays that are scheduled to be published this year!

And they all sound so good!

One reader on Goodreads described Wood’s writing as “poetic, succinct, humorous, natural, and filled with heart.”

I think that’s a perfect description.

One thing I loved about How to Read a Book is how authentic and human the characters are. They are endearing and flawed all at the same time (just like us). This seems to be a theme in all of her books.

This post is all about books by author Monica Wood.

Books by Monica Wood (in Publishing Order)

01

Secret Language (1993)

Wood’s debut novel tells the story of two sisters, Faith and Connie, who are the children of self-absorbed actors who were largely neglected as children. While they both learn to cope with their family life in very different ways, they also rely heavily on each other. Later, as adults, they are living very different lives and aren’t quite as close. After several events, which are shocking and eye-opening, the sisters are brought back together again.

Readers say that the book starts out a bit depressing, but it unfolds into a lovely story.

• Book Length: 284 pages
• Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction
• Pub Year: 1993

02

My Only Story (2000)

Rita Rosario is a multi-talented hair stylist who owns a salon in an area of town that locals are trying to turn into an outlet mall. Rita is the last holdout. Besides cutting hair, Rita also has a talent for telling fortunes in addition to an ability to see through people (figuratively, not literally). When she’s not doing that, she’s reading classic literature. After a fortuitous dream, Rita begins helping John Reed, a lonely man who was disconnected from his niece, Aileen.

Aileen became an orphan after John’s brother killed his wife and himself. As Rita works to help John, their lives slowly become intertwined. Rita is also facing her own family troubles as she finds herself in a bit of a rut.

This is a book about complicated sibling relationships, forgiveness, and how sometimes, when we are trying to help others, we may find that we need help ourselves.

• Book Length: 293 pages
• Genre: Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction
• Pub Year: 2001

03

Ernie’s Ark: The Abbott Falls Stories (2002)

Wood’s third book is a collection of entwined stories that all focus on the town of Abbott Falls, Maine, which is a fictional paper-mill town that goes on strike. Ernie is a local pipefitter for the paper mill whose wife is gravely ill. When the paper mill went on strike eight months earlier, he was just weeks away from his retirement. With time on his hands and as a gesture for his wife, Ernie decides to build a gigantic ark, reminiscent of Noah’s ark.

The stories in the book also focus on other characters in the town, such as 13-year-old Francine and Dane Little, the local building inspector. Each chapter focuses on a different character, with Ernie’s as the main story.

Readers describe this book as “comfort food for the mind and heart” with universal themes in a thought-provoking read.

As of this writing, Ernie’s Ark is included with Kindle Unlimited.

• Book Length: 190
• Audiobook Length: 6 hours 29 minutes
• Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction
• Pub Year: 2002

04

Any Bitter Thing (2005)

When Lizzy was nine years old, she was separated from her uncle, a Catholic priest, who had raised her from age two. The separation came as a result of false accusations from a bitter parishioner that he had abused Lizzy. Her life up until that point has been rather idyllic. As a result of the accusations, he left the ministry, and she went to boarding school. She is now 30 years old with a marriage that is going downhill, and she was nearly killed in a car accident.

In the hospital post-accident, she thinks she sees her uncle in a vision, whom she was told died years ago. The story is told by working its way back to her childhood, and it is told in alternating points of view. Readers describe this as a story with rich characters and an absorbing plot. This is a book about the impact of trauma, the strength of vulnerability, grace, and redemption.

• Book Length: 356 pages
• Audiobook Length: Not available on audio
• Genre: Literary Fiction, General Fiction
• Pub Year: 2005

05

When We Were the Kennedys: A Memoir from Mexico, Maine (2012)

In this memoir, Wood takes her readers back to her childhood in April 1963, when she was nine years old and her dad died suddenly at the age of 57. It’s a story about the grief she experienced and the isolating effect his death had on the whole family, but especially her mother. This book explores how brutal the death of a breadwinner was on the spouse who was left behind at this time.

Seven months later, President Kennedy was assassinated, which is one of the reasons she ties the death of her father to the Kennedys. There are several scenarios in this book that are reminiscent of plots in her other books, such as the fact that she grew up in a paper-mill town in Maine, where her dad was employed (see Ernie’s Ark), and she had an uncle who was a Catholic priest (see Any Bitter Thing).

As of this writing, We Were the Kennedys is included with Kindle Unlimited.

• Book Length: 256 pages
• Audiobook Length: 7 hours 21 minutes
• Genre: Memoir
• Pub Year: 2012

Here’s an interesting video of her talking about this book:

06

The One-in-a-Million Boy (2016)

Ona, who is 104-years-old has started to develop a friendship with an unnamed 11-year-old boy who comes to her house every Saturday morning to help her with chores such as refilling the bird feeders and keeping the garden clean and tidy. Slowly, she starts sharing details about her life. Some are private details she hasn’t shared for decades. He writes down the stories for one of those school projects where you are supposed to interview someone about their life.

But one Saturday, the boy’s father shows up instead of the boy, which causes Ona to second-guess what she thought about the boy. Fans say this book is a tear-jerker. They describe it as both sad and uplifting at the same time. This is a story about friendship, grief, loneliness, and second chances.

Wood also wrote a short story that is a prequel to this book about Ona titled, A Woman in a Million. However, this story is really hard to find.

As of this writing, The One-in-the-Million Boy is included with Kindle Unlimited.

• Book Length: 416 pages
• Audiobook Length:
• Genre: Literary Fiction, Found-Family
• Pub Year: 2016

07

How to Read a Book (2024)

How to Read a Book was the first book I read by Monica Wood, and the reason I fell in love with this author. There are three main storylines in this book that slowly become very intertwined. First, there’s Harriet, who is a retired English teacher who runs a book club in a local women’s prison near where she lives in Portland, Maine. (These book club scenes were honestly my favorite part of the book.) Next, you have Violet, who is one of the inmates in the prison and who is about to be released.

Last, you have Frank, who is a retired widower, who has a new job as a handyman at the local bookstore. (There are other characters we learn about as well.) Explaining how these three become involved would definitely be a spoiler, so you’re going to have to read the book to find out. I loved this very human story. I would also describe this book as found-family, which is one of my favorite literary tropes.

Read my full How to Read a Book review here.

• Book Length: 416 pages
• Audiobook Length: 10 hours 18 minutes
• Genre: Literary Fiction, Found-Family
• Pub Year: 2016

08

Three Plays by Monica Wood (Coming Sept. 23 2025)

As the title implies, this forthcoming volume includes three plays written by Wood. According to the publisher, all three plays have been performed with “critical acclaim” and have shattered attendance records.

Here are the plays that are included with the descriptions from the publisher:

Papermaker. A labor dispute becomes personal when a mill owner and his daughter confront the human cost of their decisions.

The Half-Light. A rational college professor questions everything she believes about life and death after meeting an unusual psychic.

Saint Dad. Three siblings navigate love, guilt, and family bonds as they try to protect their father from a difficult truth.

None of the plays are available on audio yet, but I would love to see at least one with a full cast.

• Book Length: 238 pages
• Audiobook Length: Not available on audio
• Genre: Dramas & Plays
• Pub Year: 2025

Monica Wood’s Books on Writing

Monica Wood has also written three books about writing.

Description (1995)

Description, as the name suggests, focuses on how to write effective descriptions. Wood says that in this book, you’ll learn how detail, plot, style, and point of view relate to the use of description and how they help move a story along by tapping into the reader’s five senses.

The Pocket Muse: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing (2002)

Let Wood be your writing coach with The Pocket Muse. Her advice includes allowing writers to take pleasure in the craft with advice such as, “Treat yourself! Buy an expensive pen, a box of colorful paperclips, a fine, handmade notebook, or a leather bookmark.” But she will also teach about the importance of discipline and avoiding distractions. These are just a few of the writing tips you can expect. She has many more!

The Pocket Muse 2: Endless Inspiration for Writers (2006)

The Pocket Muse 2 is a variation on a theme. This book focuses on prompts and advice for writing in a variety of genres, from fiction and nonfiction to poetry. Fans say this book is a great reference when you need some inspiration.

Monica Wood FAQs

Where is Monica Wood from?

Monica Wood is from Maine, which is also the setting for many of her books.

Do you have to read Monica Wood’s books in order?

Monica Wood’s books are not part of a series and do not have to be read in order. The only books that are connected are The One-in-a-Million Boy and the short story, A Woman in a Million. A Woman in a Million is a prequel to The One-in-a-Million Boy.

What are the best Monica Wood books?

“Best” is relative, but if you look at Goodreads, Wood has three fiction books with an average rating of 4 stars or more. These include: How to Read a Book, The One-in-a-Million Boy, and Ernie’s Ark. (Goodreads reviewers can be a tough crowd to please, so to have a 4-star average rating over there is very good!)

Are Monica Wood’s books good for book clubs?

When I’m looking for a book that will be good for a book club, there has to be A LOT to talk about. There also needs to be good characters and maybe a bit of controversy. Based on my reading of Wood so far, I think her books would make great book club picks.

If you’re looking to pick How to Read a Book for your next book club, I’ve put together this book club discussion guide that you can use.

Have you read any of Monica Wood’s Books? I would love to hear what you thought of them.

The post Monica Wood’s Books: The Complete Guide appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

Who’s excited to dive into some new 2025 Christmas books? Welcome to one of my favorite reading seasons of the year! I always like to put together a roundup of new books that look like they are worth reading. Here are nine 2025 Christmas novels that all sound so good.

Here is what I look for in a good Christmas book:

• I want all the Christmas vibes. It needs to take place during the Christmas season, and Christmas has to play a role in the story.
• I want feel-good. Something I was thinking about recently is that I don’t tend to read books like this the rest of the year (maybe I should), but I have a theory as to why I like them during the holidays. As a working mom of four kids, the holidays are wonderful but stressful. There’s just so much to do. That means my entertainment needs to be the opposite and be a de-stresser.
• A good story well-told. I don’t believe you should sacrifice good writing for a feel-good story. I still want a book that is well written and a story that has some depth.

I believe all of the books on this list are going to deliver! (The first one I have already read, so I know that one fits the requirements.) Most of the other books are by authors I’ve read and can vouch for them. There are a few that are new-to-me authors, but I’ve heard from other readers that they fit the requirements.

What 2025 Christmas book are you most excited to read this year?

New 2025 Christmas Books to Read

Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne

I loved this clean Christmas romance book! This is like a Hallmark movie in a book, but better. (Sometimes, Hallmark movie characters can come across a little too perfect, IMO.) I like that the two main characters in Snow Kissed, Holly and Ryan, both have some serious challenges they are dealing with when they meet, which adds a nice layer of depth to this sweet story. Holly is a single mom who owns a flower shop in a small town in Idaho. Ryan is a helicopter pilot in the military visiting from San Diego to help take care of his 12-year-old niece, Audrey, while her mom, Kim, is in rehab. Kim works for Holly at Evergreen & Ivy. Audrey has been staying with Holly and helping to watch Holly’s daughter, Lydia. While there is an almost instant attraction when the two meet, they also don’t think it’s a realistic relationship, given the distance. But when Holly needs a date to a wedding (for her ex-husband’s sister), Ryan agrees to be her plus one and pretend to be in a relationship with her. I loved how the fake-romance played out in this book. This is a perfect holiday read with all of the Christmasy and feel-good vibes!

Read my full review of Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne!

Thank you to Canary Street Press for sharing an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

• Genres: Romance (Fake-romance trope)
• Length: 282 pages
• Publication Date: Oct. 7, 2025

Listen to the book!

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan

The first book I ever read by Jenny Colgan was The Christmas Bookshop (which I loved!), so when I saw that she was coming out with another Christmas book, this one went right on my TBR. Book hunter Mirren Sutherland is hired to find a priceless missing book hidden somewhere in Jamie McKinnon’s crumbling Scottish castle, but her rival, Theo, shows up to help with the search. When a snowstorm traps them all inside over Christmas, they must work together to solve the treasure hunt left by Jamie’s grandfather, racing against time while navigating romantic tension and shifting alliances. This book includes a bit of mystery, romance, and a book about books.

• Genres: Romance | Mystery
• Length: 305 pages
• Publication Date: Oct. 14, 2025

buy the book!

The Christmas Stranger by Richard Paul Evans

The King of Christmas Fiction is out with another one, and fans are loving it! Paul has lost all will to live three years after his family died on Christmas Eve. His life takes a turn when a stranger appears and challenges him to find a reason to live, warning that the path will be unexpected. This challenge leads to a series of interconnected, tragic, and seemingly unrelated incidents. A robbery introduces him to Collette, a woman who has also lost her love. Then, he rescues a young boy who is being bullied. These events bring Paul, Collette, and the boy together, making Paul question the stranger’s identity and the deeper meaning behind these events as he hopes to find a new purpose in life.

• Genres: Christian | General Fiction
• Length: 272 pages
• Publication Date: Nov. 4, 2025

buy the book!

A Christmas Carol by Joshua Ingle

I love A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It’s one of my favorite Christmas classic books to read this time of year. This is a modern retelling that early readers are saying they might like more because it’s a bit more relatable. Ben Scrooge is forced to confront his past when his dead business partner, Marley Jacobs, escapes from Hell, pursued by the relentless Ghost of Christmas Past. As they race through history and relive the choices that hardened Ben’s heart, he is gripped by regret and the realization that the ghost seeks to rewrite history itself. Determined to save each other and their world, Ben and Marley must risk everything to change their fate. This is a book about redemption, courage, and compassion.

Note: As of this writing, this book is free with Kindle Unlimited. (Amazon has a Kindle Unlimited Black Friday special: $.99 for three months.)

• Genres: Sci Fi & Fantasy
• Length: 450 pages
• Publication Date: Oct. 28, 2025

buy the book!

The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury

Vanessa is a widow on the hunt for her family’s long-lost heirloom ring. In the process, she meets Ben Miller, the good-looking antique dealer. What first starts as a friendship blossoms into a sweet romance, but neither is sure if the romance has legs. Vanessa is organizing the annual military dance, and she’s also nervous about her daughter’s return from college because she hasn’t told her about Ben. Ben is starting to learn more about the origins of the ring. He thinks he’s found the ring, and he takes off in a hurry to try to grab it before it’s gone forever. In the meantime, Ben and Vanessa learn some important eternal truths.

This book is already a movie, released in theaters on November 6.

• Genres: Romance | Christian
• Length: 265 pages
• Publication Date: Sep. 5, 2023

buy the book! Listen to the book!

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

One of my favorite Christmas novels I read last year was by Jenny Bayliss, so when I saw that she was coming out with another one, it went right on my TBR list. Fred Hallow-Hart (Fred is short for Frederica) returns to her quirky hometown of Pine Bluff after a breakup and eviction, only to be swept back into her family’s Christmas cracker business and into unexpected romantic sparks with both her childhood best friend and a charming journalist. As she navigates old wounds, new feelings, and a town full of eccentric women who love her fiercely, Fred is forced to confront who she really is and what (and who) she truly wants. It’s a cozy holiday story about coming home, healing, and finding love in all its messy forms.

• Genres: Women’s Fiction | Romance
• Length: 247 pages | 5 hours 22 minutes
• Publication Date: Oct. 21, 2025

buy the book! Listen to the book!

A Little Merry Christmas by Elizabeth Standish

Amanda is a perfectionist who works in advertising, and she has put in the work that should get her the promotion she knows she deserves. She is crushed when she finds out it has gone to someone else, but she refuses to give up. In an attempt to secure a co-director spot, her boss has agreed that if she successfully runs a pro bono campaign, she will get the position. She finds a perfect opportunity in a local animal shelter, which may need to close down if they aren’t able to raise the funds they need. She plans the perfect campaign that should do the trick. In the process, Amanda not only falls in love with a Labrador who is in need of a foster home but she also starting to fall for the shelter’s vet, Elias. Early readers say this book is like a Hallmark movie in a book.

• Genres: Romance
• Length: 216 pages
• Publication Date: Nov. 18, 2025

buy the book!

A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

I’ve read two Debbie Macomber Christmas books (The Christmas Spirit and Can This Be Christmas? ) and enjoyed both of them. That book definitely made me want to read more of her books. Avery is trying to spend Christmas with her brother Reed, but she has to take a ferry to get to the Seattle-adjacent island where he lives. However, the ferry breaks down in the middle of Puget Sound. She and the other passengers are very frustrated as they are anxious to get to their destination. She finds a way to turn lemons into lemonade when she strikes up a friendship with Harrison, who has been gone for several years in the Navy. There are other story lines going on with some of the other passengers as well. Not to mention that her brother Reed starts to form a connection with a coworker who is waiting for her brother. This is a story about blessings that can come from the unexpected.

• Genres: Women’s Fiction | Romance
• Length: 247 pages | 5 hours 22 minutes
• Publication Date: Oct. 21, 2025

buy the book! Listen to the book!

Ten Christmases Without You by Jenny Hale

I’ve never read a Jenny Hale novel, but I know a lot of readers rave about her. And this one sounds so good! This is Emmy’s tenth year without her mom. She lives in New York as a PR assistant, but isn’t very happy with her job. She’s traveling home to Tennessee to spend the holidays with her sister, but what she doesn’t know is that her sister has invited a childhood friend and former crush, Charlie, to join their family Christmas dinner. Even though this one may sound like a downer, early readers say this is an uplifting story. While there is romance, there’s a lot more going on than just that. It’s also a reminder that many people deal with grief around the holidays, and it’s okay to recognize that.

Note: As of this writing, this book is free with Kindle Unlimited. (Amazon has a Kindle Unlimited Black Friday special: $.99 for three months.)

• Genres: Romance | Christian
• Length: 300 pages
• Publication Date: Oct. 23, 2025

buy the book!

Which 2025 Christmas book are you going to start with? If you’ve already read one or more of these, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below!

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The post 9 New 2025 Christmas Books I’m Excited to Read This Season appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

Looking for Christmas gifts for readers? This book lover’s gift guide is your one-stop shop for the best gift ideas.

If there’s one thing my family knows about me, it’s that I love to read and all things books, but one thing I find funny is that every year, for Christmas or my birthday, they aren’t quite sure what to buy for me.

If you have trouble coming up with gift ideas for the book lover in your life or if you want a wish list to pass on to your family for gift ideas, the struggle is over.

I spent hours scouring the internet for the best Christmas gifts for readers. Several items on this list are things I personally own. For the ones I don’t own, now you know what to get me

True, you can never go wrong with buying books for a book lover, but that can be wrought with peril because you may not know what books they have and what they want. But there are lots of ways to enhance and support a book lover’s life without buying books (Although there are some good ideas for book buying, too).

This is your ultimate gift guide for book lovers, curated just for you…

1

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle paperwhite

Buy on Amazon

Kids Paperwhite

Buy on Amazon

Basic kindle

Buy on Amazon

First up, a Kindle.

My Kindle Paperwhite is one of my favorite reading tools, and if there’s a reader in your life who doesn’t have one, I think this is a must. Or maybe they have an old one, and they are due for an upgrade. (My Paperwhite is 5+ years old, and I am eyeing an upgrade myself.)

Why the Paperwhite? Reading on a Paperwhite is not like reading on an iPad or iPhone. First, it’s only for reading. Second, it’s designed to feel more like paper versus a screen. Third, I love it for reading in otherwise tricky reading situations like in the dark or at the beach. Fourth, I love that I can adjust the font size.

Which one should you choose? If someone is new to Paperwhites, I recommend going with the original Kindle Paperwhite, the basic Kindle, or the Kindle Paperwhite for Kids. (All three have the same resolution, but the basic Kindle is one inch smaller and is not waterproof. However, it may be a better pick if you are looking for something a bit more compact.)

There are two new Kindles that look promising, but so far, the jury is out on whether or not they are worth the higher price point.

Note: If you are reading this before Black Friday, I do not recommend buying a Kindle right now. Amazon will likely have the best deals on Kindles during their Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale.

2

Reading Pillow

buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

buy on amazon

A few years ago, my mother was visiting, and she had a reading pillow with her that looked like a miniature bean bag. After commenting on how nifty I thought it was, she bought one for me, too.

I love my reading pillow! I use it almost daily. It’s great for propping up a book or Kindle, whether I’m reading on the couch, in bed, or while sitting at a table.

I couldn’t find the exact one she gave me, but here are a few that are similar.

3

Reading Light

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

A reading light is another must for readers, IMO. They are not only useful when reading in the dark but also when reading in a room with poor lighting. My kids love their reading lights, too. (These make great stocking stuffers.)

Pro-tip: If you buy these for your kids, buy them in different colors to help prevent those inevitable squabbles.

I personally own the first two and love them. I don’t own the neck book light, but I hear so many people rave about it. This might be the year when I finally buy one.

4

Whimsical & Bookish Reading Totes

Library Card Tote Bag

Buy on Uncommon Goods

Classic Literature Cat Tote

Buy on Uncommon Goods

Booktrovert tote by bamba Tees

Buy on Etsy

shakespeare quote tote

Buy on ETSY

literary totes by Universal Zone

Buy on ETSY

Book lovers tote by COCOMON handmade

Buy on Etsy

Book Themed Canvas Totes

SOME BOOKS INCLUDED

Pros

Anne of Green Gables
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
And More!

Cons

List item 1
List item 2
List item 3

Buy on Amazon

Trust me, the reader in your life does not have enough reading totes (even if you think she does). Every book lover knows the joy of having just the right bag for every reading occasion – whether you are reading at a park, bringing your book haul home from the library, or reading on an airplane.

And it’s fun to have something that will make a statement or make you (and others) laugh.

With that in mind, here are some fun, whimsical reading totes for the reader in your life. There are so many good ones out there. It was hard to narrow it down, but these were my personal favorites.

5

Functional Reading Tote

Brook + Bay Corduroy Tote Bag

SOME FEATURES…

Pros

Large internal zipper pocket
Small internal pockets.
Large compartment
Magnetic closure

Cons

List item 1
List item 2
List item 3

Buy on Amazon

If you think the reader in your life would like something a bit more functional, I really like this one by Brook + Bay. While it has a bit more going on than the simple canvas bags above, it comes with a nice clean minimalist style.

6

Book of the Month Subscription

Book of the Month has a special holiday offer (through December 29): Get your first book for just $5 plus a free hat of your choice.

I’ve been a Book of the Month member since 2019, and I have gifted BOTM subscriptions several times to friends and family members. It makes a great gift for book lovers if you want to give them books, but don’t know which ones to buy.

One of the things I love about BOTM is that the books are beautiful hardcovers. (They also offer audiobooks.) Their hardcovers feel like a collector’s edition. They also tend to have very good selections across several genres.

The best part of a BOTM subscription is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. Here’s how it works: You buy either a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription.

Each month, BOTM gives you a credit that you can use toward one of the selections for that month, or you can choose from a member fave. You also have the option of purchasing additional books for a very reasonable price. BOTM also offers audiobooks.

give Book of the Month

Buy Book of the mOnth (for you!)

7

Tea Forté — The Best Tea (IMHO)

KATI® Steeping Cup & Infuser

Loose Leaf tea assortments

Pyramid tea infusers

buy on Tea forté

buy on amazon

If you use my referral link, you get $10 off your first order!

If the book lover in your life is also a tea lover, they will love the teas from Tea Forté.

These teas are next level and my personal favorites!

Last year, I saw an ad for a tea infuser and thought it would make a great gift for my book and tea-loving mom. When I went to search for it, I ran across Tea Forté, and I was hooked. My mom and I both fell in love with Tea Forté teas and cups with infusers.

Tea Forté is like next-level tea, and it makes a great gift. Not only do they sell delicious teas, they also sell beautiful tea cups and mugs. They also sell loose-leaf tea and tea in their unique pyramid tea infusers (they literally stand up on their own!).

(This makes a great gift for teachers, too!)

8

The Reading Journal by Kunista Co.

Kunitsa Co. Reading Journal

FEATURES

Pros

Linen or Leatherette Hardcover
52 Book Reviews
Writing Prompts
To Be Read List
Books Finished List
DNF List

Cons

List item 1
List item 2
List item 3

Buy on Amazon

There are a lot of reading journals out there, but I love The Reading Journal by Kunitsa Co. because of the clean design. I also love that it feels like it was designed by readers because it has a lot of elements that I know readers would love, including reading trackers and places to keep lists such as books to read, books finished, and books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) . I love it!

I also really love how it feels like a bullet journal. I used to love to bullet journal until I got tired of having to draw out my own spreads every week, month, etc. (If you know, you know). I think a bullet journal also works great for a reading journal (yes, I’ve done that, too).

This journal has space for 52 reviews, which will be sufficient for most readers. It also comes in six colors in both linen and leatherette.

If the reader in your life reads more than 52 books in a year, Kunista also makes this one that has space for 104 reviews.

9

Bookish Socks

buy on uncommon goods

Buy on Uncommon Goods

Buy on uncommon Goods

buy on amazon

Buy on amazon

Buy on Amazon

Not only are socks a fun gift, but they are also the perfect stocking stuffer. (No pun intended

For the nostalgic book lover who misses card catalogs, library card socks bring back those warm memories of ink stamps and paper cards. Know someone who quotes Pride and Prejudice at every family gathering? Gift them Austen-themed socks. Is your book lover a Mo Willems fan, the “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” are a lot of fun.

There are a lot of options!

10

Magnetic or Clip-On Book Marks

i-clips Magnetic Page Markers

Buy on Amazon

Levenger Page Nibs

Buy on levenger

I am hooked on magnetic and clip-on bookmarks. I like them for two reasons — they stay in place, and they also help you know where you left off on the page.

Even if you already think the book lover in your life has too many bookmarks, trust me when I say they will love these.

Here are two options that I like: the magnetic bookmarks by i-clips and what Levenger calls its page nibs. These are great if you want to mark several spots in a book. These are even great for library books because they won’t leave a mark on a book.

Vintage library Bookmark Cards

buy on Levenger

Bookmark Tent Bookmark cards

Buy on Levenger

Book Review Bookmarks

buy on Amazom

Bookmark Cards RuleD/Grid

Buy on Levenger

12

Leather(ish) Bookmarks

buy on Levenger

Buy on Levenger

buy on B&N

Buy on B&N

Christmas is a time to splurge on our loved ones, and if your loved one is a book lover, then I promise you they would love one of these bookmarks.

In the top row, you have bookmarks from Levenger. Here are some features of these bookmarks that make them extra fancy:

• They are printed on both sides. How cool is that??
• They are made with Levenger’s LevTex leather alternative, so they feel like leather.
• They are beautiful!

In the second row, I found these adorable leather bookmarks from Barnes & Noble.

• Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Famous books printed on one bookmark

13

Bookish Pens

Retro 51 Tornado Library Exclusive Rollerball Pen

buy on Levenger

Retro 51 Tornado Exclusive nutracker Rollerball Pen

Buy on Levenger

Retro 51 Tornado Emily Dickinson Rollerball Pen

Buy on Levenger

Shhh…I’m reading pen set

buy on Amazon

harry potter pen & bookmark

Buy on B&N

Retro 51 Alice in Wonderland Pen

Buy on Levenger

I love these beautiful bookish pens. I also love how they come in their own matching tube boxes that also double as a pen stand. These pens were designed by Retro 51 for Levenger.

Classic Lit mug

buy on uncommon goods

booktrovert mug by softlaunch

Buy on Etsy

Rifle paper Book Mug

16

Book Ends

DIY Dream Library Bookend Kit

Buy on Uncommon goods

hand carved book ends by Wooden Heart Buttons

Buy on etsy

Cast iron bookends

Buy on Amazon

Beautiful book ends are another gift idea that will delight the reader in your life. There are a lot to choose from, but these are the ones that stood out to me. Here are more options if you don’t like the ones I chose:

• Bookends on Uncommon Goods
• Bookends on Etsy
• Bookends on Amazon

17

Bookish Christmas Ornaments

Vintage library Bookmark Cards by Christine Ire

buy on etsy

Custom Miniature Book Ornament by Megs Comfort Creations

Buy on Etsy

Jane Austen Christmas Ornament by Universal Zone

Buy on Etsy

I do not have a Christmas tree that looks like it was designed by Martha Stewart. My tree is full of ornaments that reflect hobbies and memories. If that sounds like the book lover in your life, they will love one of these book-themed and unique Christmas ornaments.

18

Wooden Bookish Puzzles

All the Books PUzzle

buy on wentworth

Harry Potter puzzle

Buy on wentworth

Once Upon a bookshop puzzle

Buy on wentworth

If you have someone in your life who loves books and puzzles, these puzzles by Wentworth Puzzles are next level because they are made of wood. They are beautiful. Wentworth also incorporates unique shapes into their puzzles.

19

Functional Clothing for Readers

Reader’s Book Scarf

Buy on Levenger

I didn’t even know that functional clothing items for readers was a thing until I saw these. But as soon as I saw them, I thought, “Of course. These are genius.”

Especially if you or the book lover in your life likes to carry books around with you.

If someone is already an Audible Member, you can also gift them new credits (i.e. new books). This would also be the way to go to gift someone a membership who is not in your family.

21

Libro.FM Subscription

Gift libro.FM bundles

If someone in your life loves audiobooks and likes to support local independent bookstores, they might enjoy a Libro.fm subscription.

When someone signs up for a Libro.fm subscription, they pick a local independent bookstore that benefits from their membership and purchases.

I use both Audible and Libro.fm, and I like them for different reasons. (Someday I’ll do a full comparison of all of the audiobook platforms.)

22

Blind Date With a Book Box

Hygge blind date with book by Books by the Dozen

buy on Etsy

Book lover’s box – NO Book by Sweet Tomorrow Co

Buy on etsy

Book only

Buy on uncommon goods

BoOk + goodies no box by cute book corner

buy on Etsy

Choose Genre + Theme by Beyond The Trope

Buy on etsy

Book subscription Box by Book Brews

Buy on etsy

If you can’t decide from all of the options above, you can’t go wrong with one of these Blind Date With a Book Boxes. And you have a lot to choose from.

What is a Blind Date With a Book Box? Most of the time, a Blind Date with a Book Box is where a customer receives a wrapped book without knowing the title in advance. These book boxes can be subscriptions services and one-time purchases. They also typically allow you to choose things such as: book genre and theme (such as Christmas, birthday, dog lover, etc.).

But what you get in the box can vary. Here are some of the variations you may see:

• A box with the book only
• A box with a book plus fun items such as book marks, socks, a mug, stickers, snacks, and more.
• A book lover’s box that includes fun reading accoutremounts BUT NOT a book.

You will see all variations below. While prices vary , I recommend paying attention the additional items you receive and the quality of those items.

23

The Book Lover’s Reading Challenge

buy on uncommon goods

If there’s one thing that we readers love to do, it’s to gamify reading. And we love reading challenges because they motivate us to read those books we’ve been wanting to read anyway. That’s what makes this Book Lover’s Reading Challenge so much fun.

This Ultimate Reading Challenge includes the following:

• 25 challenges that can be completed in any order and within any time frame.
• Prizes every time a challenge is completed. (How fun is that!)

24

Book Stamps & Embossers

Custom Book Stamp by Pascal Sock Design

Buy on ETSY

Custom Book embosser by Susan crafts Shop

Buy on etsy

This is another special gift you or the book lover in your life will love — a way to personalize their books. Here are a couple of options — a book stamp or an embosser.

25

Book Art

Another fun gift that will delight the book lover in your life is book-inspired art. There is book art that features famous literary quotes, vintage book covers, and even customizable print art. I think these are beautiful.

Famous Book Quotes Print Art by Obvious State

Buy on ETSY

Custom Book spine art Print Art by the curious type

Buy on etsy

26

Rotating Bookshelf

Rotating Bookshelf Tower

FEATURES

Pros

Holds lots of books in small space
Available in 2, 3, 4 & 5 Tiers
Easy to Assemble
Bookshelf Lazy Susan

Cons

List item 1
List item 2
List item 3

Buy on Amazon

I love this rotating bookshelf, especially for those who have limited space. I also loves that it sits on a lazy Susan. This bookshelf tower is also available in multiple tiers. The 2-tier version looks like it could also double as an end-table.

If you are looking for a space-saving bookshelf or you just want a clever way to display your books, definitely check out this rotating bookshelf tower.

27

Bookish Jewelry

Another one of my favorite finds is this fun book-inspired jewelry. Here are some options.

Book Charm Necklace by TinyBookTown

Buy on ETSY

Miniature Book Earrings by BabeandBubBoutique

Buy on etsy

28

Reader’s Toolbox

Buy on Levenger

This is another one my faves. How cool is this! I am someone who always has a book, a Kindle, a journal with me. I love that this reader’s toolbox has room for it all. I also love that there’s a special spot for pens and pencils.

I love to read with a pencil in hand, and I love that this ensures that I have everything thing I need within reach. I also love the adjustable slots that can be used for glasses, bookmarks, and whatever else you like to have on hand when you’re reading. So cool!

29

Wooden Book Page Holder

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Do you ever want to set your book down for a minute, but you don’t want to lose your spot? One of these wooden bookholders is definitely the answer. Some of them also have a place to keep your phone, glasses, mugs, and more.

These are great for keeping next to your favorite reading chair or on your nightstand.

There are several out there, but these are my favorites.

30

Juniper Books Collector Editions

The Lord of the rings

Buy on Amazon

Harry potter

Buy on Amazon

Outlander series

Buy on Amazon

Jane austen collection

Buy on Amazon

Something that could make a really special gift for a book lover is a collector’s edition of their favorite book series. Juniper makes versions that include the books, but they also sell the dust jackets separately.

Juniper Books makes more than the ones featured below. You can find their full collection in the Juniper Books Amazon Store.

31

Bookish Candles

Complete the reading ambiance with one of these fun literary-themed candles.

Library candle by Corduroy Lane

Buy on etsy

books and coffee scented candle by smells like books

Buy on Etsy

Happy Shopping! If you have any questions about anything on this list, please don’t hesitate to reach out by dropping a comment below.

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The post Christmas Gifts for Readers: The Ultimate Book Lover’s Gift Guide appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

I love to read books that feel like the season. One of my favorite things to do on Black Friday is to go to my local bookstore, which for me is a Barnes & Noble, and buy a new Christmas novel (or three) to enjoy in December. If you are looking for Christmas books for adults, you have come to the right place.

The Christmas novel genre is deep and wide. There are lots of classic Christmas books, contemporary Christmas novels, Christmas romance novels (who doesn’t want to fall in love during the Christmas season?), Christmas mystery novels, and a new micro-genre I’ve discovered, Christmas historical fiction. 

My point is, there really is something for everyone. Let’s find the right Christmas novel for you to read this holiday season.

Classic Christmas Novels

First up are the Classic Christmas novels.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This might be the most familiar Christmas story of them all. Even if you haven’t read the book, you’ve likely seen a movie or a play based on this book. Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserable soul who despises Christmas and the jolly-spirit that comes with it. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his business partner Jacob Marley who died seven years ago and who warns Scrooge to change his ways or he is headed for a horrible fate.

If you’ve never read this book because you think you already know the story from the various movies and plays, I highly recommend reading this book. You will very quickly see why this book is a classic.

I also highly recommend this audio version by Tim Curry from Audible that is free with your Audible subscription, meaning that you don’t have to use an Audible credit to listen to it. It is soooo good!

Buy the book!

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

This beautiful story of love and sacrifice will bring you to tears. A young couple who doesn’t have much money want to buy meaningful gifts for each other, which they figure out how to do by sacrificing something meaningful of their own. If you want to know what real sacrificial love looks like, I think this is such a beautiful picture of that. 

Buy the book!

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

The famed author J.R.R. Tolkien wrote letters to his children for years that were responses to the letters they wrote to Father Christmas. Father Christmas tells them stories of the adventurous life he lived in the North Pole with reindeer and polar bears.

buy the book!

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

You probably know of L. Frank Baum as the author of The Wonderful World of Oz. In this volume, we get to know Santa Claus as a child, who lived in an enchanted forest and how he became the generous gift giver that we know and love. Baum’s Santa is reportedly inspired by Clement Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

buy the book!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

While Little Women is more than just a Christmas novel, the setting in which it opens in a winter during the American Civil War. One of the most humbling episodes in the book is when March sisters decide to give up the Christmas breakfast that they’ve been looking forward to and bring it to a local family who is nearly starving. That is just one of the tales that will make you fall in love with this family and warm your heart this Christmas. 

buy the book!

Looking for more? Go here for a deep dive into 25 Christmas Classic books!

Contemporary Christmas Novels

If you’re looking for something a bit more contemporary than the Classics, these are some good options. Some of these do include a romance (or two), but I wouldn’t say those are the main storylines, so I wouldn’t categorize them as romance novels.

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

This is one of my favorite books I read all year. I love found-family stories, and Winter Solstice is a great example of that literary trope. The book focuses on different characters that I couldn’t imagine how they could end up being connected, but then they come together in just the right way. But let me warn you that this book will break your heart before it gets put back together again. There is an important content warning I feel is important to mention because it does include the sudden death of a child.

buy the book!

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

There’s something about celebrating Christmas in Edinburgh, Scotland that seems just magical. If that’s a city you’d love to take a literary trip to this Christmas, then this sweet book is for you. Jenny Colgan books always have such an endearing quality to them, and this one is no exception. I love stories about women who seem a bit lost (and are maybe a bit of a hot-mess) who find their way. The Christmas Bookshop is one of those stories. There is also a sweet romance to enjoy and more. I enjoyed this one so much last December, I might reread it this year.

buy the book!

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham 

While Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, it can also be one of the most stressful. So I can’t blame the Kranks for wanting to take a year off from the craziness of it all and go on a Caribbean cruise instead. Will they be glad they decided to skip Christmas or will they live to regret it? The only way to find out is to read this book, which comes with a surprising side of humor. 

buy the book!

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

The Christmas Box is considered “the most popular holiday take since Tiny Tim,” according to Newsweek. While Richard Paul Evans has gone on to write many other books, this was his debut. The Christmas Box is the story of a young family who moves in with a widows to be her caretakers. While they are taking care of her, it’s the widow who has an important message to share. You’ll have to read The Christmas Box to find out. 

buy the book!

Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan

Christmas by the Book has been described as a “Christmas tale for book lovers.” Two booksellers in a small English town decide to cheer up the locals by making anonymous book deliveries. (Ummm . . . sign me up for that!) Can they succeed in spreading some joy through books and save their bookstore at the same time? I love heart-warming stories like this for the holiday season. 

buy the book!

Christmas Romance Books 

Looking for a little holiday romance? Add one of these heartwarming holiday books to your TBR.

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Maelyn Jones is miserable this Christmas season. Miserable living with her parents, miserable in her job, and currently failing romantically. But the universe has heard her plea for happiness, but she has to figure it out in a ground-hog day style journey in this hilarious fun read as Mae finds love. 

buy the book!

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

If you’re tired of the thirty-something romance novel, take a trip across the pond for a fun romance between this sweet older couple. She’s from California and he works for the Queen. How will they make it work? I loved the royal setting in Royal Holiday of this book set in the English countryside. (And I really wish the book included that scone recipe.)

buy the book!

The Christmas Dress by Natalie Cole 

Want a little magical realism this Christmas? The last place Meg Julliard wants to be spending her Christmas is in Chicago acting as property manager to the apartment building that her father owned before he died. Meg is a struggling fashion designer, but now she must tend to all the urgent requests of her tenants. She forms a surprising friendship with one of the older residents, Ellie. Ellie gifts her a special dress that she wears to the building’s annual Christmas party. And, yes, there’s a cute handyman part of it all. 

buy the book!

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber

One is a local pastor and the other is a bartender, but they happen to be best friends. When the pastor, Peter Armstrong, tells the bartender, Hank Colfax, that he thinks bartending has to be a lot easier than being a pastor, they end up switching jobs until Christmas Eve. The first surprise is that the two jobs have a lot of similarities. The second surprise is that they both find love. 

buy the book!

The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans

Author Jacob Churcher heads home for Christmas — not to spend time with family but to clean out his estranged mother’s house, who recently died. It is no small feat as she became a bit of a hoarder. In the process, he stumbles upon a diary that was owned by someone named Noel. At the same time, a woman shows up at the door believing there’s a connection between Jacob’s mother and the mother who gave her up for adoption. Unexpectedly, a connection forms between the two. Netflix released a movie based on this book in 2022. 

buy the book!

Christmas Mystery Novels

Who knew that Christmas and mysteries could go together, but apparently they can. Given that not all families are

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

At a family reunion on Christmas Eve, there’s a scream, a crash of furniture, and the tyrant of the family is found dead. Detective Hercule Poirot, who happens to be staying in the area, gets pulled into the investigation, and he’s surprised when he doesn’t find typical mourners but a group of family members who are all looking at each other with suspicion because no one in the family really liked the dead father. 

buy the book!

The Adventures of Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie

Detective Hercule Poirot is asked to quietly investigate the disappearance of a missing ruby that belonged to a Far Eastern prince that is supposed to be given to the prince’s bride, but he’s trying to keep the investigation on the down-low – because the ruby was likely stolen by a woman he had a final fling with before the wedding. If you’re looking for a quick Christmas mystery, this one is only 63 pages or 1 hour and 24 minutes on audio. 

buy the book!

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Apparently Christmas is a popular time to steal gems because in this story we have another story of a missing gem, this time a blue carbuncle that belonged to a countess. A former thief, who had apparently changed his ways is initially accused of the theft, but then the gem is found inside a Christmas goose! Surely, only Sherlock Holmes can figure out who the real thief is. 

buy the book!

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

On Christmas morning at the annual curling match, a woman is electrocuted to death in broad daylight in front of the whole town of Three Pines. Initially, the death is deemed an accident, but upon closer look, it appears that there might have been foul play involved. Have no fear. The prudent and wise Inspector Gamache will get to the bottom of what really happened. A murder at a curling match? Of course! (One of my personal favorites.)

buy the book!

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

Plans for the annual Christmas play are underway in this small English town. From the outside, The Fairway Players seem like a happy welcoming community group, but from the inside, there is some serious tension and a mysterious secret they are trying to hide. How do you know? As a reader, you get the inside scoop in The Christmas Appeal through every email, text message, and instant message that is exchanged between its members. You seriously feel like you are eavesdropping on a conversation you didn’t mean to hear. This epistolary novel really sucked me in. (Expected release date: Oct. 24, 2023.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

buy the book!

Christmas Historical Fiction 

As I was searching around for fun Christmas novels to read, I discovered a genre I didn’t even know existed — Christmas historical fiction. I love the idea of reading about what Christmas might have been like in decades or even centuries in the past. Here are a few interesting finds for your TBR.

Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini

Christmas Bells tells the story of how the poem “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow came to be by taking readers back to1860 Massachusetts when the country was heading toward Civil War. The storyline is told alongside a modern-day teacher who chooses the poem, which was penned on Christmas Day in 1863 as Wordsworth was facing great loos, as the focus of the Christmas Eve concert for children’s choir she directs.

buy the book!

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

While A Christmas Carol might be one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time, what prompted Dickens to write it? Samantha Silva told The New York Times that this “book is, most of all, a fan letter — a love letter” to the author himself. Part biopic and part historical fiction, readers get a peek into what drove Dickens and the atmosphere in which he lived. If you’re a Dickens fan or a fan of historical fiction, this may be the Christmas book you need this year. 

buy the book!

Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Something we don’t often think about when we think about war is what the holidays were like for both soldiers and their families while the war waged on. We get a glimpse of what Christmas during World War I may have been like in Last Christmas in Paris, which tells the story of how a young English couple navigate the challenges that the way brings. Be prepared because several fans describe this book as “a good cry.”

buy the book!

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry 

Similar to Mr. Dickens and His Carol, Once Upon a Wardrobe is also a story behind the story. When Oxford student Megs Devonshire’s brother grows fatally ill, the one place he finds joy and comfort is from the new book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But he wants to know more about where Narnia came from. Given the circumstances, she can’t say no to his requests for more information, which prompts her to seek out the author himself. She ends up benefiting from what she learns as much as her brother. When the book starts, it’s fall and then winter, with the climax happening on Christmas Day, making this a great Christmas read.

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A Quilt for Christmas by Sandra Dallas 

Similar to Christmas Bells, A Quilt for Christmas also takes place during the Civil War. Eliza’s husband has joined the army, fighting for the North during the war. To keep herself busy while he’s away at war, she’s decided to start making him a quilt that he can use to stay warm during the winter months. But she is also kept busy when she takes in a homeless mother and child and joins the local quilting group. She is also presented with an opportunity to take care of an escaped slave.

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Christian Christmas Novels

How Far to Bethlehem by Norah Lofts

Experience the birth of Jesus through this historical fiction novel that retells the Christmas story beginning from when the angel Gabriel first visits Mary to Jesus’ birth. Norah Lofts was a historian, psychologist, and writer, which makes her especially equipped to sensibly incorporate all the emotions that the characters must have been feeling while also keeping the story historically accurate. The book is described as “scholarly, moving and intensely readable.”

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The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin 

This one could also fall under the historical fiction genre, as well. I remember the days when the Sears and JCPenney catalogs would show up in the mail, and my sister and I would pour over it and dog-ear the pages of toys and clothes we wanted. This is what happens when best friends Audrey and Eve’s boys get ahold of the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book. But toys are fleeting and Audrey and Eve want their boys to know that there’s a lot more to Christmas than what shows up under the tree on Christmas morning. This book aims to teach them that lesson while Audrey and Eve are still healing from the loss they suffered during World War II. (This book is the sequel to the World War II historical fiction novel If I Were You.) This book was a five star read for me! It seriously surpassed my expectations.

Click here to read my full review.

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Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon 

If you ever wanted to know what Christmas is like in Mitford, this is your chance. The story follows Father Tim, who is faced with a challenge outside of his normal skill set — restoring a broken down nativity scene. He starts it as a surprise for his wife, and it soon becomes a project that has the whole town involved. Some fans say they re-read this one every Christmas and find a new message each time. Others say it’s like comfort food in a book.

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The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

From the outside, Robert is the picture of success, but his personal life is falling apart. His marriage is on the rocks and his relationship with his children is also suffering. Robert meets eight-year-old Nathan while trying to figure out what to buy his family for Christmas, while Nathan is trying to figure out how to buy shoes for his mother who is dying of cancer. The encounter has lasting consequences. This book was made into a movie, starring Rob Lowe. There’s a sequel to this book called, The Christmas Blessing, which was made into a movie starring Neil Patrick Harris.

Check out my full review of The Christmas Shoes along with book club discussion questions!

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The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere

Due to a devastating loss years ago, it’s been some time since Patricia and Mark Addison have enjoyed Christmas. Five year old Emily comes into Patricia’s life at work as a social worker. Even though it goes against the rules, she decides to bring the girl home. This decision brings joy and hope to the home that it hasn’t seen in years. Many readers say to grab a tissue box because this one is a tear jerker.

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Short Christmas Stories

Looking for some quick Christmas reads? Check out these options!

The Nutcracker by ETA Hoffman (62 pages)

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (48 pages)

It’s a Wonderful Wife by Camille Pagan (69 pages)

Esther’s Gift by Jan Karon (37 pages)

The Paperbag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne (160 pages)

The Adventures of Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie (63 pages)

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Looking for more Christmas novels? Check out these nine new 2023 Christmas books that you will want to add to your TBR list.

The post 35 Top Christmas Novels to Put You in the Holiday Spirit appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

When the holiday season comes around, there’s something so special about pulling out one (or more) of those old familiar Classic Christmas books.

While some of these books were written with young children in mind, I think you will find that so many of these stories really have stood the test of time. Not only that, but they are also stories that can be equally enjoyed by adults as much as they are by children.

C. S. Lewis famously said that “a children’s story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children’s story.”

As I was researching the best classic Christmas books to include in this list, I ran across so many adults saying things like:

“I know this book was written for kids, but this is my favorite Christmas book in the world.”

“I come back to this book every year.”

“The first time I read this book, I almost cried.”

You get the idea. Don’t shy away from any of these Christmas books because you think they are for kids.

PLUS, when you’re in the middle of a busy Christmas season, there’s something nice about being able to sit down with a cup of your favorite tea and read a book in a sitting, whether by yourself or with your family.

One of the things that was so interesting for me while I was putting together this list was to realize how many classic Christmas books have gone on to become some of the best Christmas movies and/or Christmas songs.

We readers know that the book is always better, so maybe this is a year to start diving into some of the books that inspired some of those movies.

This post is all about the best Classic Christmas books. Let’s dive in!

Favorite Classic Christmas Books

There are so many good books in this list of Classic Christmas books. To give some perspective on when these books were written, each book includes the year it was published, and they are arranged chronologically from oldest to newest.

Nutcracker and Mouse King by ETA Hoffmann (1816)

It’s been a long tradition in my house to go see the Nutcracker ballet during the Christmas season. But long before there was a ballet, there was a book or, rather a short story, that was the inspiration for arguably the most famous ballet of all time. On the night before Christmas, Fritz and Marie eagerly anticipate the arrival of their Godfather, Drosselmeier, who always brings them extraordinary gifts. This year, Marie receives a unique Nutcracker doll that leads her into an ancient conflict and eventually into a magical realm filled with candy-coated castles, chocolate monarchs, and true love.

This volume also contains The Tale of the Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas, which was inspired by Hoffman’s tale.

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The Night Before Christmas by Nikolai Gogol (1831)

I’ll be honest: at first glance, this one sounded a bit odd to me, but I was intrigued to learn that this story is read aloud to children in Russia and Ukraine on Christmas Eve, and it’s inspired several films and operas through the years. The local blacksmith and the devil fall in love with the same girl, and they start competing with each other to win her heart. It all comes to a head on Christmas Eve. Fans describe this book as “scary and hilarious and jolly” and “darkly comical.” Perfect for those who love a gothic tale.

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843)

This might be the most familiar Christmas story of them all. Last year, I realized I had never read this book, even though I had seen many TV adaptations. It was sooo good! I love it when I read a classic and finish it thinking to myself, “Now, I know why this book is a classic.” Because this story works so well on the screen, I decided to listen to it. I went with this version on Audible by actor Tim Curry. It is very well done. This year, I plan to read it. (That’s how much I loved it!)

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserable soul who despises Christmas and the jolly spirit that comes with it. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, who died seven years ago. He warns Scrooge to change his ways, or he will be headed for a horrible fate.

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The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen (1845)

Hungry, cold, and penniless, the Little Match Girl is afraid to go home because she hasn’t sold any of her matches, and she has no money to bring home. If she goes home, she knows her father will beat her because she failed to sell anything on this cold and blustery New Year’s Eve. Slowly, she starts lighting one match at a time. Each time she lights a match, she witnesses a vision. Then, she witnesses the most glorious vision of all. There is so much going on in this short little book.

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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1869)

While Little Women is more than just a Christmas novel, the setting in which it opens in a winter during the American Civil War. One of the most humbling episodes in the book is when the March sisters decide to give up the Christmas breakfast that they’ve been looking forward to and bring it to a local family who is nearly starving. That is just one of the tales that will make you fall in love with this family and warm your heart this Christmas. 

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Christmas at Thompson Hall by Anthony Trollope (1882)

Do you need some humor this Christmas season? The Browns are traveling to Thompson Hall for Christmas in Victorian England — which is the picture of an English Christmas with decorations of holly and plum pudding and mince pie waiting to be eaten. To get there, they had to go from the south of France to London. But they don’t make it in time due to a mishap at the hotel in Paris. This humorous book is described as a farcical and comical read that would be enjoyed by fans of P.G. Wodehouse. This volume also contains some other short Christmas stories by Trollope. They are all original stories — none of these are excerpts from his longer works.

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The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum (1902)

You probably know of L. Frank Baum as the author of The Wonderful World of Oz. In this volume, we get to know Santa Claus as a child who lived in an enchanted forest, and we learn how he became the generous gift-giver that we know and love. Baum’s Santa is reportedly inspired by Clement Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

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The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (1906)

This beautiful story of love and sacrifice will bring you to tears. A young couple who doesn’t have much money wants to buy meaningful gifts for each other, which they figure out how to do by sacrificing something meaningful of their own. If you want to know what real sacrificial love looks like, I think this is such a beautiful picture of that. 

“But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. “

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The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (1922)

The Velveteen Rabbit is a heartwarming tale about a simple, stuffed rabbit who experiences the joy of a child’s love on Christmas morning, only to be forgotten and relegated to a toy closet afterward. Despite feeling left out and mocked by newer mechanical toys, the rabbit finds solace and wisdom in an old Skin Horse who teaches him that being real isn’t about fancy mechanisms or glossy appearances but about the unconditional love of a child. Ultimately, this story is about the significance of love, honesty, and friendship.

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Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie (1938)

Are you in the mood for a mystery this Christmas? Enjoy this Christmas classic by Agatha Christie. At a family reunion on Christmas Eve, there’s a scream and a crash of furniture, and the tyrant of the family is found dead. Detective Hercule Poirot, who happens to be staying in the area, gets pulled into the investigation. He’s surprised when he doesn’t find typical mourners but a group of family members who are all looking at each other with suspicion because no one in the family really likes the dead father. 

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert May (1939)

Before the movie and the song, there was a book. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was the creation of Robert May, who was working as a catalog copywriter for Montgomery Ward at the time. Every year, Montgomery Ward put out a Christmas coloring booklet, and in 1939, May was asked to create a new character for the coloring booklet. And that’s how the beloved reindeer was born. May said Rudolph was inspired by the classic ugly duckling story. While you may be familiar with the story from the song and the movie, the book has some differences.

I really enjoyed this rendition, which used the original story and illustrations released by Dartmouth. (And you can listen to the story for free!)

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The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale by Philip Van Doren Stern (1943)

You may not have heard of The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, but you know the story if you have ever seen the classic Christmas movie by Frank Capra, It’s a Wonderful Life. The Greatest Gift is the short story that the movie is based on. Stern says that the story came to him in a dream. When he first wrote the story, he couldn’t find a publisher to take it. He took matters into his own hands when he decided to make it his Christmas card in 1943. The Greatest Gift tells the story of George Pratt, who is considering taking his own life when he gets to find out what the world would have been like with him in it. I find this to be such a reflective story.

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Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies (1947)

Author Valentine Davies wrote this novella after he wrote the story that became the movie that we know and love. Davies said the story was inspired when he was standing in line at a department store and he witnessed a woman, her daughter, and a man who believed he was the real Santa Claus. Kris Kringle ends up behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit, causing quite a stir in Philadelphia. Not one to wallow, Kris decides to spread some holiday cheer as a mall Santa at Macy’s on 34th Street. Despite the bustling crowds, Kris finds it tough to keep his faith in miracles alive. But then, everything changes — he helps an elderly lady receive her Christmas gift and meets a young girl who has unwavering faith in him. This experience reignites Kris’s belief in the magic of Christmas and the miracles that can come true when we believe.

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Christmas Day in the Morning (1955)

Pearl S. Buck is best known for her book The Good Earth, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize. Christmas Day in the Morning is described as illustrating the true meaning of Christmas. It’s Christmas Eve, and Rob wants to buy a Christmas present for his father. He doesn’t just want to get him anything. He wants to get him something that will really show his father the love he has for him. Given that he doesn’t have much money, what can he get for him that will be as special as he wants it to be? This book is about that discovery.

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A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (1956)

A Christmas Memory is based on Capote’s childhood experiences growing up in small-town Alabama. Buddy is a young boy who has an elderly cousin. This story is ultimately about an endearing friendship between two unlikely souls and the Christmas traditions and rituals that bind them together, even if one is baking fruitcakes. Fans say this book helped them realize their own Christmas memories they had forgotten about and that “this has to be one of the sweetest, most nostalgic” stories they have ever read.

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (1957)

At first glance, How the Grinch Stole Christmas looks like a silly, playful book. But I think this book has one of the best messages — all the pomp and circumstance, the gift giving, the festive music, the delicious food that we think defines Christmas — those things are all just by-products. We don’t NEED any of them to enjoy Christmas. And that’s what the Grinch learns when he thinks he “stole” Christmas. If it’s been a while since you’ve read this one, definitely pick this one up and enjoy it by yourself or with a child in your life.

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The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (1958)

Armand is a homeless man in Paris who likes his life just the way it is. He spends his nights sleeping under a bridge along the Seine River. One day, when he returns to his spot, he finds a widow and her three children who are newly homeless. Even though the last thing he ever wanted was the responsibility of a family, he ends up taking them under his wing and shows them the ropes of homeless life in Paris. The experience is transformative for Armand. This book takes place during the Christmas season, making it a great read for the season. One fan described this as “a truly heartwarming story for all ages.”

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A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd (1966)

Most of us know of A Christmas Story from the Christmas classic movie released in 1983. But before there was a movie, there was a book (or two). The movie A Christmas Story was based on stories from two different books by Shepherd. Most of the movie is based on the book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash (1966), with some stories taken from Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories and Other Disaster (1971). The stories the movie is based on have now been compiled into this single volume. If you are a fan of the movie, you will definitely want to check out this book. The stories are described as “semi-fictional anecdotes.”

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Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien (1976)

The famed author J.R.R. Tolkien wrote letters to his children for years that were responses to the letters they wrote to Father Christmas. Father Christmas tells them stories of the adventurous life he lived at the North Pole with reindeer and polar bears. Even though this book wasn’t published until 1976. The letters were written between 1920 and 1943.

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The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1985)

The Polar Express is a story about the magic of Christmas. If you’ve never read this book, which I recommend doing even if you’ve seen this movie, you will walk away wondering how it is that the magic of Christmas fades as we become adults. Or does it? The movie is well done, but I also find it a bit jarring and stressful if you don’t know how it will end. So, definitely read the book first so you have some perspective going into it.

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The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt (1989)

Three different trees have three different wishes, but they all hope they get cut down and get used for something great — a treasure chest, a ship, and to become “so tall that when people stop to look at me, they will raise their eyes to heaven and think of God.” Their dreams get fulfilled in different parts of Jesus’ life, but not at all what either of them expected. Fans say this book shows the careful purpose that God has for his creation. On the flip side, it also shows the desire for God’s creation to glorify God. There’s a lot of meaning in this book!

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The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans (1993)

The Christmas Box is considered “the most popular holiday take since Tiny Tim,” according to Newsweek. While Richard Paul Evans has gone on to write many other books, this was his debut. The Christmas Box is the story of a young family who moves in with a widow to be her caretakers. While they are taking care of her, it’s the widow who has an important message to share. You’ll have to read The Christmas Box to find out. 

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The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola (1993)

Have you ever wondered how the poinsettia became associated with Christmas? In this book, author Tomie dePaola retells the Mexican legend and explains its origin. In Mexico, the poinsettia is called the “flower of the Holy Night.” The Legend of the Poinsettia is about a young girl who, unable to offer a gift to baby Jesus due to her mother’s illness, is advised by a fairy godmother to give anything from the heart. Despite the village’s disbelief, she presents weeds at the church. The village can’t believe that all she would bring is weeds. Miraculously, these weeds bloom into a vibrant red plant — the Poinsettia.

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The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechiwski (1995)

Even though this book was published in 1995, many describe this book as a true Christmas classic and a must-read for the whole family. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey tells the story of the widower and acclaimed woodcarver Jonathan Toomey. The locals know him as the lonely man who never smiles. A woman and her son show up at his door one day, which leads to an unexpected miracle.

The latest anniversary edition includes a free audio version of the book read by James Earl Jones.

This book was made into a movie in 2007.

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The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston (1996)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is based on a true story that takes place during World War I and has been passed on through the generations. Before Ruthie’s father fights in The Great War, the two pick out the tree that is supposed to be the town’s Christmas tree that year. But her father isn’t back from the war to cut down and put up the tree. Will he be back in time to put up the tree? What about Ruthie’s angel costume for the play, will her mom be able to make it given that they can’t afford the fabric? This story is about how a family finds a way in a great time of need. Fans say this is a book of hope that will stay with you for a long time.

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Have you read any of these books? Which ones do you hope to read this holiday season?

What are your favorite Christmas books? Are there any others you think deserve to be on this list?

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The post 25 Classic Christmas Books You Will Keep Coming Back To appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

If you’re craving a good cozy Christmas book, but you don’t know where to start, you have come to the right place.

I don’t know exactly why, but I love Christmas novels. And not just during the Christmas season. I have found that Christmas novels can be that perfect comfort read for me throughout the year when I need a book that’s going to be a salve for the soul. (I know it sounds cheesy, but I also know you know what I’m talking about.)

I define a contemporary Christmas novel as a book that takes place in our modern age with modern conveniences.

These books represent a variety of genres from mystery to romance.

Some of the books on this list might be categorized as contemporary classics, but I still think they belong in this category.

I really hope you find the Contemporary Christmas novel that is the perfect escape for you this Christmas season. There are lots of options below!

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Contemporary Christmas Novels

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews (2023)

I have never read Mary Kay Andrews before, but many readers say her Christmas novels are must reads, which is why I’m excited to dive in with Bright Lights, Big Christmas this year. North Carolina native Kerry Tolliver is heading for the big city this holiday season to help her brother sell Christmas trees to to New Yorkers in Greenwich Village. As she gets to know and develops relationships with the locals, she’s called to use her “country know-how” after an elderly local is missing. In the meantime, she also starting to develop feelings for local single-dad, Patrick. Early readers say this book is “another homerun” from Andrews and “the perfect escape.” Sounds perfect for the holidays!

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The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett (2023)

This is a humorous mystery novella set during the Christmas season. The Christmas Appeal follows the tensions, power struggles, and secrets within a small English town’s community theater group as they plan for their annual Christmas play. The story is told entirely through emails, text messages, and instant messages, which makes readers feel like they are eavesdropping on the characters as they interact and gossip with and about one another. As the plot unfolds, readers become like investigators, piecing together the story through these communications. The book also includes funny exchanges and mix-ups that will have you laughing out loud. And why did a long-dead Santa just fall out of a beanstalk prop. You will want to find out!

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The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson, Tad Safran (2022)

This book has a very Skipping Christmas vibe to it, but instead leaving town, this family tries to keep Christmas at bay from the comfort of their home. The Sullivans have an agreement — it’s fine if other families want to celebrate Christmas, but it’s not for us. So no Christmas cookies, no Christmas carols, no mistletoe, and no Christmas parties. Which is why they are surprised when for 12 straight days, guests start showing up at their house for a Christmas party they didn’t know they were throwing. One of the reasons the Sullivans can’t stand the sight of Christmas is because the dad is still dealing with the grief from losing his wife, even though its been several years. The result of the surprise Christmas is that it shows how something messy is just what this family needs to bring it back together again. Fans say to expect some magical realism and British humor that will make you laugh out loud.

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A Sugarplum Christmas by Viola Shipman (2022)

Looking for a quick read for Christmas? This one is only 45 pages. Online, her name is Sugarplum Fairy; in real life, her name is Debbie Hutchins. Debbie is an online reseller who specializes in vintage Christmas items she buys and resells online. Her latest find is a collection of nutcracker ornaments, which reminds her of the nutcracker ornaments she had when she was a child. It also reminds her of how she was a fidgety tomboy who couldn’t sit still, but her grandmother took her to see the nutcracker ballet at a young age — needless to say, she was mesmerized. She’s about to sell the ornaments to an earnest buyer when she finds a notes tucked underneath them from a great-grandmother to her great-grandson. Instead of selling them, she decides to find the original owners. Fans say this book is reminiscent of A Christmas Carol because it is a story about a heart grown cold that starts to thaw.

Note: This book is only available on Kindle.

Fun fact: Viola Shipman is a pseudonym. The real author is Wade Rouse. Wade says Viola Shipman was his grandmother’s name. You can read more about him here.

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Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan (2021)

Christmas by the Book is a Christmas book for book lovers. Two booksellers in a small English town decide to cheer up the locals by making anonymous book deliveries. They don’t just pick recipients at random; they are looking for those who are especially struggling this year. And they are trying to save their struggling bookstore at the same time. However, they forgot to mark which book was which when they wrapped them, but serendipitously, each book ends up in the hands of the right person. Each book ends up being exactly what each person needs. The bookstore owners are also having their own share of troubles. I loved this book, and still think about it.

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The Christmas Dress by Natalie Cole (2021) 

Looking for a sprinkle of magic this festive season? Meet Meg Julliard. The last place she ever dreamt of spending her Christmas is in the windy city of Chicago, managing an apartment building that her late father left behind. Her passion lies in fashion design, yet here she is, juggling the never-ending demands of her tenants. Meg develops an unexpected friendship with Ellie, one of her elderly tenants. Ellie gives Meg a unique dress, which she decides to don for the building’s much-anticipated Christmas bash. There’s even a handsome handyman in the mix. So, brace yourself for a heartwarming tale packed with Christmas cheer, fashion, and a dash of romance.

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The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan (2021)

There’s something about celebrating Christmas in Edinburgh, Scotland that seems just magical. If that’s a city you’d love to take a literary trip to this Christmas, then this sweet book is for you. Jenny Colgan books always have such an endearing quality to them, and this one is no exception. I love stories about women who seem a bit lost (and are maybe a bit of a hot-mess) who find their way. The Christmas Bookshop is one of those stories. There is also a sweet romance to enjoy and more. I enjoyed this one so much last December, I might reread it this year.

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Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand (2014)

If you love stories about complex family relationships, this one is for you. After all, nothing makes us face our family and all the goes with it like the holidays, does it? Kelley Quinn is the father of four adult children and the owner of the Winter Street Inn in Nantucket. Kelley has three children that he had with his first wife Margaret, who are all in the middle of their own dramas. And he has one son with his current wife Mitzi, who is unreachable on the frontlines in Afghanistan. But Mitzi has apparently fallen for the man who plays Santa at the annual Christmas party. This book has a lot going on as the Quinn family is trying to get through Christmas. Fans describe this one as a fun story that will hold your attention until the end.

This is the first book in a four-book series.

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A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flag (2005)

For fans of magical realism. From the publisher: “Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleepy little community known as Lost River, a place that time itself seems to have forgotten. After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas.”

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Gideon’s Gift by Karen Kingsbury (2002)

This book very much has A Christmas Carol vibe to it. Big Earl is an angry man living on the streets of Portland, Oregon when he meets Gideon, who is a seven year old girl battling leukemia. She is determined to befriend Earl even though he doesn’t want any part of it. Earl hasn’t always lived on the streets. His life took a turn for the worse 10 years earlier when his wife and daughter died, and he has never gotten over it. Is Earl the miracle that Gideon has been praying for? Fans say to keep the tissues handy because this one is a tear-jerker.

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Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (2001) 

While Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, it can also be one of the most stressful. So I can’t blame the Kranks for wanting to take a year off from the craziness of it all and go on a Caribbean cruise instead. Will they be glad they decided to skip Christmas or will they live to regret it? The only way to find out is to read this book, which comes with a surprising side of humor. 

This book was made into a movie in 2004 that goes by the name Christmas with the Kranks.

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The Christmas Train by David Baldacci (2001)

From the publisher: “Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to Los Angeles in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures, and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people’s essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.”

This one was made into a Hallmark movie in 2017.

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Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher (2000)

This is one of my favorite books I read all year. I love found-family stories, and Winter Solstice is a great example of that literary trope. The book focuses on different characters that I couldn’t imagine how they could end up being connected, but then they come together in just the right way. But let me warn you that this book will break your heart before it gets put back together again. There is an important content warning I feel is important to mention because it does include the sudden death of a child.

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The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans (1993)

The Christmas Box is considered “the most popular holiday take since Tiny Tim,” according to Newsweek. While Richard Paul Evans has gone on to write many other books, this was his debut. The Christmas Box is the story of a young family who moves in with a widows to be her caretakers. While they are taking care of her, it’s the widow who has an important message to share. You’ll have to read The Christmas Box to find out. 

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A Season of Angels (Angels Everywhere #1) by Debbie Macomber (1993)

I’ll be honest. The premise of this one sounds a bit cheesy, but I’m intrigued by the fact that so many people say they love this book (and the whole series), and they re-read it every year. For a book to generate that kind of loyalty, it must have something going for it. Here’s a summary: The angel Gabriel commissions three angels, whose names are Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, to answer the prayers of three different people. BUT it can’t just be an answer to a prayer, they must also teach each person a lesson.

This is the first book in a seven book Angels Everywhere series.

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I know there are so many good choices. What Contemporary Christmas novels are you going to pick up this year?

The post Discover 15 Festive Contemporary Christmas Novels to Read This Year appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

My youngest child is in one of my favorite ages for kids when it comes to books. She is seven, going on eight, which makes her the perfect age for reading some of the best children’s classics, and honestly, I might be enjoying it more than she is.

That prompted me to put together this book list because I think a lot of adults may be seriously missing out.

There’s a very good chance you read at least some of these books as a kid in school or on your own, but there’s something about returning to these books as adults that is almost magical.

Why Should Adults Read Children’s Classics?

Here are just some of the reasons I think adults should consider reading children’s classic literature:

• You need a palate cleanser. Let’s say you’ve just finished reading a tome or an intense book, like a thriller, that was amazing, but you feel like you need a palate cleanser in between. These books are the perfect antidote.
• You are in a reading slump. Let’s say no book is doing it for you, and you are in one of those dreaded reading slumps. Grab one of the books below to pull you out.
• You’re trying to get back into reading. If you want to start making reading a regular part of your life again, these books are a perfect place to start. I think it’s because they are easy to read while also having enough depth to make it enjoyable, whetting the appetite and making you want more.
• You need a comfort read. I’ve been dealing with grief this year, and the last thing I want is a super heavy book. I’ve found that these books have been great during this time.
• They are fantastic books! Lastly, and probably the most important, they are really good books. They have great plots, great characters, and there’s almost a magical quality to them.

One of the things that has really stood out to me is just how well-written they are. Because they are written for children, they don’t use a lot of flowery language; instead, they employ very simple language. At the same time, sometimes they are quite poetic.

Here’s an example from Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. This is from Chapter 15: The Crickets:

The crickets sang in the grasses. They sang the song of summer’s ending, a sad, monotonous song. “Summer is over and gone,” they sang. “Over and gone, over and gone. Summer is dying, dying.”

The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year—the days when summer is changing into fall—the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.

Hopefully, by now, you are convinced that these are books you shouldn’t ignore.

Here are some of my personal favorites.

Children’s Classic Literature for Adults

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Initially, my daughter complained when I first started reading this book to her, but by the time it was over, she was asking for more stories about Laura and Mary. One of the best parts of this book is that it’s not actually fiction. The Little House books are actually narrative non-fiction. They are written by Laura Ingalls Wilder about her childhood. They give such an amazing glimpse into what life was like in America in the late 1800s. This first book in the series tells the story of their lives when they lived in the woods of Wisconsin where they survived living in a small cabin. They face the unfriendly elements and the unfriendly wildlife that is working against them.

• Publish Year: 1932
• Genre: Narrative non-fiction
• Pages: 224 pages

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Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

This might be the most familiar story on this list. A young girl named Fern intervenes on behalf of a runty pig who is about to meet his end. As her reward, she gets to help raise the pig. After the pig, whom she names Wilbur, gets too big to keep in her home, he gets a new home in her Uncle Homer’s barn. There, he makes many new friends, but the most important is with a spider named Charlotte. After Wilbur learns that he will most likely be the Christmas ham, Charlotte promises that she’s going to do everything she can to save his life. What follows is a beautiful story about friendship, life, death, and love. It’s a heartfelt story that is also full of humor. There’s a reason why this book is still so popular today. It’s so good!

• Publish Year: 1952
• Genre: Fantasy/Magical realism
• Pages: 184

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Stuart Little by E. B. White

Stuart Little might be one of my favorite literary characters ever written. Just like in Charlotte’s Web, there’s a fair share of magical realism thrown into this story. Stuart lives with his family in New York City. While Stuart is a mouse, his human family doesn’t want him to know that. They treat him like he’s their son, and as a result, Stuart acts more like a human than a rodent. However, the family cat knows the truth. One of the things that impresses me about E. B. White is that he can write a book that takes place in a barn and a book that takes place in NYC.

• Publish Year: 1945
• Genre: Fantasy/Magical Realism
• Pages: 131

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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first book published in the series, but Lewis published a prequel (The Magician’s Nephew) that he said should be read first. That being said, this is definitely the most popular book in the series. But don’t stop at this book. Please go on and read the rest of the books in the series.

• Publish Year: 1950
• Genre: Fantasy
• Pages: 180

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Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh might be the most endearing book ever written. You will literally laugh out loud at Pooh and his friends as they make very obvious mistakes that get them into a pickle. Pooh will go to great lengths to get his hands on a jar of honey. Winnie the Pooh is like the first Toy Story, except in this story, Christopher Robin knows that they are real and can talk. After reading Winnie the Pooh, make sure you pick up the sequel, The House at Pooh Corner.

• Publish Year: 1926
• Genre: Fantasy
• Pages: 161 pages

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

You have likely heard of the first five books on this list, but this one might be the least well-known. Kate DiCamillo is the Amor Towles of children’s literature. These are two authors who are still living and writing, and I think their books are modern children’s. I highly recommend all of her books. I should do a deep dive on her books because I’ve yet to read one I don’t like. Edward Tulane is a stuffed rabbit who is very loved and cherished by his owner, Abilene, until one day he gets lost. The book tells the story of what happens to Edward and how he is able to make his way back to Abilene. This book is a total tear-jerker.

• Publish Year: 2009
• Genre: Magical Realism
• Pages: 120

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

This is another book on this list that needs no introduction. Even if you’ve seen one or both of the movies made about this book, please don’t let that stop you from reading this book. In fact, I promise that if you love the movies, you will love the book even more. (The book is always better, right?) I don’t know another writer who can write about children and the silly adults they live with as well as Roald Dahl.

• Publish Year: 1964
• Genre: Humor and Adventure
• Pages: 192 pages

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Matilda by Roald Dahl

Speaking of children and their silly adults. Matilda is another one of those great literary characters. Matilda a brilliant little girl who loves books and has some pretty amazing powers, but unfortunately, her parents are awful and her headmistress is even worse. Despite being surrounded by mean-spirited adults who don’t appreciate her, Matilda finds a true friend in her teacher. It’s a wonderfully funny story about an underdog. Roald Dahl perfectly captures both the humor and heart of childhood, making this one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished it! They made a movie based on this book in the late 90s that’s actually quite good.

• Publish Year: 1988
• Genre: Humor
• Pages: 232 pages

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Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

This one is for the dog lovers! Because of Winn-Dixie follows a young girl named Opal who moves to a new town with her father, who is also a preacher. She feels totally out of place in her new town until she finds a scruffy dog in a grocery store and names him Winn-Dixie, after the grocery store. Opal’s mother is absent, but with Winn-Dixie’s entrance into their lives, her father starts to tell Opal details about her mother, which is why the book is called Because of Winn-Dixie. With her new friend by her side, Opal starts meeting all kinds of people, each with their own story, and slowly starts to feel like she belongs.

• Publish Year: 2000
• Genre: Realistic Fiction
• Pages: 192

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The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

This is another one that is so good! The Boxcar Children tells the story of four siblings who are orphaned after their mother recently died. Out of fear of being separated, they decide to run away. They end up stumbling upon an abandoned boxcar in the woods and decide to make it their home. They get to be quite resourceful. The oldest brother, Henry, finds some work in the local town so that he’s able to pay for some food. In a series of fortuitous events, they end up meeting their long-lost grandfather, who gives them a home. This is a great story about the kindness of strangers and resilience.

There’s actually a really good animated movie based on this book from 2014. I highly recommend it!

• Publish Year: 1924
• Genre: Mystery & Adventure
• Pages: 176 pages

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Heidi by Joanna Spyri

I loved this very endearing story! Heidi is an orphan who has been living with her Aunt Dete since she was very young, but her aunt recently took on a new job and can no longer care for her in the same way. Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather, whom I believe she had never even met before, or at least not for a very long time. He lives deep in the Swiss Alps, where he cares for goats, quite a walk from the closest village. The two end up forming a very endearing friendship. While Heidi is happy with her grandfather, her Aunt Dete thinks she needs a more civilized life and sends her to live with a family in Frankfurt. Heidi is homesick for the Alps and her grandfather, but she ends up forming a friendship with wheelchair bound Clara, the daughter of the family she is living with. There are many surprising twists and turns in this book. So good!

• Publish Year: 1880
• Genre: Historical fiction
• Pages: 336 pages

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Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

“All children, except one, grow up.” Here’s an interesting fact about the first line of Peter Pan. In the book, this is a reference to Peter Pan, but in real life, this is a reference to Barrie’s brother, who died when he was 13 years old. I think Peter Pan is super interesting from a philosophical perspective because you can tell that while Peter Pan doesn’t want to grow up, there’s a sadness about him and the lost boys. They aren’t satisfied with forever being children. Read this one and let me know if you see that, too. Of course, this book is also full of lots of adventure and danger.

• Publish Year: 1911
• Genre: Fantasy
• Pages: 256 pages

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

This is another one where even if you have seen and loved the movie, please read the book. There is so much more that is going on in the book, as usual, that we don’t see in the movie. For example, in the movie, it turns out that Oz exists in a dream. In the book, it’s a real place. You know the basic story. Dorothy ends up in the Land of Oz after a Tornado strikes her home in Kansas, and she doesn’t know how to find her way home. On her journey to meet the Wizard, she collects friends along the way who have wishes of their own. I’ve never read the sequels, but there are multiple sequels. My oldest son read through the whole series, which they had at our local library, and loved them.

Note: Something I struggle with about Baum is that he said horrible, racist things about the Native Americans in the 1800s before he wrote this book. I don’t see any of that in this book. While I struggle with that, I still think this is a great book. And since he’s long dead, he can’t benefit from sales of this book. We Americans love this story. Just look at all of the spinoffs that have been done. According to NPR, his family has offered a public apology for this. What do you think?

• Publish Year: 1900
• Genre: Fantasy
• Pages: 256 pages

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Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables (and the whole Anne series) is an all-time fave! Anne is 12 years old when she arrives at Green Gables, the home of siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Since Matthew is getting older, they have decided to adopt a boy to lend a hand. But when Matthew arrives at the train station, he’s surprised to find not a boy, but a scraggly talkative 12-year-old girl.

He brings her back to Green Gables, near the town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. By the time they arrive, Matthew is already enchanted by her, though Marilla is determined to send her back. After all, they needed a boy. What follows is the story of how that mistake becomes the greatest blessing of their lives: how Anne Shirley, the orphan who was never supposed to stay, finds her way into their home, their hearts, and their community.

Anne is far from perfect. She’s impulsive, dramatic, and endlessly talkative, but she’s also joyful, imaginative, and utterly lovable. Through her, we meet a whole world of kindred spirits in this found family story.

• Publish Year: 1908
• Genre: Realistic Fiction
• Pages: 464 pages

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