25 Best Classic Christmas Books to Read This December

If you love the best classic Christmas books, this list is for you.

I rounded up 25 titles to read this December, and I am excited about every one of them.

Some are classic Christmas novels for adults, some are Christmas short story collections, and a few are classic Christmas books for kids.

You will also find Christmas mystery books, Christmas poetry collections, and cozy holiday reads for quiet evenings.

Whether you want Christmas classics to read aloud or Christmas books for the whole family, start your TBR here.

The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford

I am fascinated by the story behind A Christmas Carol itself.

Just before Christmas in 1843, a debt-ridden Charles Dickens wrote a small book to keep his creditors at bay.

His publisher turned it down, so he paid to publish it himself.

He worried it might end his career as a novelist.

Les Standiford takes readers back to Victorian England and the birth of the Christmas we know best.

The book is described as a satisfying read for Scrooges and sentimentalists alike.

I want to find out which camp I belong to.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Jo March grumbles that Christmas will not feel like Christmas without presents.

That scene is one of the many famous moments in Louisa May Alcott’s novel.

The story follows sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they grow from childhood into adulthood.

It unfolds during the American Civil War, and a new neighbor named Laurie arrives.

The novel has been adapted into film no fewer than seven times.

It is considered one of the best-loved classic children’s stories ever.

I would love to see why it has stayed so popular.

Christmas seems like the right season to dive in.

The Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann

Hoffmann’s classic Christmas fairy tale inspired Tchaikovsky’s ballet.

This edition features gorgeous contemporary artwork by Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka.

It is described as a perfect holiday gift for adults and children alike.

The story is said to capture a child’s wonder at Christmas better than any other.

I love fairy tales that feel magical and cozy at once.

Seeing the story the ballet came from sounds like a treat.

I am especially looking forward to the artwork.

It would make a lovely book to share with a child.

Death Comes at Christmas by C.L. Taylor, J. T. Ellison, David Bell, and Other Authors

Award-winning Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane invite readers to a festive gathering of writers.

It pays tribute to classic crime stories.

Think locked room mysteries on Christmas Eve and devilish whodunits.

Simmering rivalries at the dinner table also play a part.

The collection includes 18 seasonal tales.

Contributors include C.L. Taylor, J. T. Ellison, David Bell, Sarah Hilary, and Claire McGowan, among others.

I am curious how each author twists the classic formula.

Holiday dinners and murder mysteries sound like an excellent pairing.

A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd

This is the book behind the classic Yuletide film and the live musical on Fox.

It gathers autobiographical humor from Jean Shepherd into one hilarious volume.

Ralphie’s unstoppable campaign for a Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle is a highlight.

He wants Santa, or anyone else, to hand one over.

The collection is described as humorous, nostalgic Americana.

I enjoy seeing the source material behind a film I know.

Funny family stories sound perfect for the holidays.

I am looking forward to Ralphie’s relentless quest on the page.

Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah

Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of year.

As the holiday approaches, she finds herself at a crossroads.

In an instant, her world is ripped apart and her heart is broken.

Then comes a magical Christmas Eve filled with impossible dreams and unexpected chances.

Joy must find the courage to believe in a love and a family that cannot possibly exist.

She also sets out in search of the new life only she can find.

Kristin Hannah’s premise has me curious about what that search looks like.

The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories edited by Jessica Harrison

This collection brings together Christmas stories from around the world.

They are described as magical, moving, chilling, and surprising.

The settings range from frozen Nordic woods to glittering Paris.

Others include a New York speakeasy, an English country house, and bustling Lagos.

One story even takes place at midnight mass in Rio.

Another heads into outer space.

Jessica Harrison edited the volume.

I love a collection that lets me travel without leaving the couch.

I am excited to hop between settings and moods.

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Peter Pan is not set at Christmas.

It earns a place on this list because the original play and its pantomime cousin are so often staged during the festive season.

The story follows the Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael, who befriend the magical Peter.

He whisks them away to Neverland, where Captain Hook and the Lost Boys wait.

Barrie’s tale is said to never get old, whatever your age.

This Macmillan Collector’s Library edition features illustrations by F. D. Bedford, colored by Barbara Frith.

I am curious to see how the artwork brings Neverland to life.

My Beloved by Jan Karon

Father Tim’s wife, Cynthia, asks what he wants for Christmas.

He answers in a love letter that reveals his most private feelings.

Then the letter goes missing and circulates among his astonished neighbors.

The book is described as poignant, hilarious, and life-affirming.

Jan Karon’s readers love these Mitford characters like family.

This is described as a season of life in Mitford you will not want to miss.

A lost love letter making the rounds sounds delightfully chaotic.

I am curious how the neighbors react.

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

First published in 1956, this is an autobiographical recollection from Truman Capote.

It looks back on his boyhood in rural Alabama.

The book is described as much sought after.

It is also called a perfect gift for Capote fans young and old.

I am curious how a childhood memory becomes a Christmas classic.

Short, personal books like this feel right for a quiet holiday afternoon.

I would love to tuck it into a gift basket too.

Rural Alabama sounds like a setting I want to step into.

Poems for Christmas by Gaby Morgan

This collection gathers some of the world’s favorite festive poems into one volume.

Writers including William Shakespeare and Christina Rossetti are among the voices featured.

The book is described as full of Christmas cheer.

I like the idea of dipping into a poem or two each evening in December.

A collection like this feels easy to pick up between busy holiday tasks.

It would also make a thoughtful gift for a poetry lover.

Seeing Shakespeare alongside Rossetti in a holiday setting makes me curious about the mix.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Imagine a year with no crowded malls, corny office parties, fruitcakes, or unwanted presents.

That is exactly what Luther and Nora Krank want.

They decide that, just this once, they will skip the holiday altogether.

Their plan sounds tempting until the consequences show up.

The description promises that skipping Christmas is far harder than they imagined.

I am curious how John Grisham handles a story like this.

This special edition looks like an intriguing pick for weary holiday planners.

I want to see how far the Kranks get.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn

This one promises the definitive story of Santa Claus.

Jeff Guinn blends solid historical fact with glorious legend.

It is called a Christmas classic.

The description says anyone who has ever wondered is right to believe in him.

I love when a book treats a childhood legend with this much affection.

Mixing history and legend sounds like a fun way to learn about Santa.

I want to see which facts and legends make the cut.

It seems like a great read for adults who still love Santa.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

No list of classic Christmas books feels complete without this one.

Dickens first published it on December 19, 1843, and it was an instant classic.

Londoners flocked to hear him read it aloud and bought out the first printing within days.

It follows miserly Mr Scrooge, who receives eerie visits from supernatural companions on Christmas Eve.

Those visits lead him to see the error of his cold-hearted ways.

Scrooge and Tiny Tim are characters most readers already know.

I love the idea of returning to the original text.

The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries edited by Otto Penzler

Otto Penzler, an Edgar Award-winning editor, picked 60 of his all-time favorite holiday crime stories.

Many are hard to find anywhere else.

The lineup includes Victorian tales by Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Thomas Hardy.

Contemporary writers like Sara Paretsky and Ed McBain also appear.

The collection touches on every part of the holiday season and many kinds of mystery.

That range makes me want to read slowly and savor each one.

Sixty stories could last me through the whole month.

I am especially curious about the rare finds.

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

Fannie Flagg is a New York Times bestselling author known for her warm, inviting voice.

Millions of readers love her.

Here she offers an enchanting Christmas story of faith and hope.

The description shares very few plot details.

That makes me curious about what the story holds.

A cozy tale with a hopeful message suits the season.

I like picking up a book mostly for the author’s voice.

I am adding it to my Christmas TBR.

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

Molly the Maid has a brand new mystery to solve.

This heartwarming novella is described as a magical story about the true spirit of the season.

It reminds readers that love is the greatest mystery of all.

I am curious how Nita Prose weaves a holiday tale around a mystery.

Novellas are perfect when I want a quick festive read.

I would love to follow Molly into another case.

A cozy mystery with a heartfelt message sounds like a lovely combination.

It could make a charming stocking stuffer for mystery fans too.

Christmas Stories edited by Diana Secker Tesdell

This treasury gathers short fiction by great writers of the past two centuries.

Dickens and Tolstoy appear, along with John Updike and Alice Munro.

Christmas has sparked everything from quiet family dramas to wildly imaginative tales.

The anthology aims to show that full range.

Diana Secker Tesdell edited the collection.

I like the idea of sampling so many literary voices in one book.

Short stories feel perfect for busy December evenings.

I am curious which story will be my favorite.

Celebrations by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s poetry collection is full of timely and timeless poems.

It is described as part of the global fabric.

Angelou is called a chronicler of history, an advocate for peace, and a champion for the planet.

She is also described as a patriot, mentor, and friend.

The book promises wisdom meant to be shared and cherished.

Its message is that we always have a reason to celebrate.

I like that this brings poetry onto a classic Christmas list.

I am curious which poems I will return to.

Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini

Jennifer Chiaverini wrote this resonant, heartfelt novel for the holiday season.

It is described as a reminder of why we must keep listening for glad tidings.

That message applies even when strife tests us.

Reading it is said to evoke the joy of voices raised together in reverent song.

I do not know much more about the plot yet.

That leaves me curious about where the story goes.

A musical, reflective novel sounds like a nice companion for a quiet evening.

I am adding it to my list to find out.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

Clement C. Moore’s much-loved poem is a Christmas staple.

The poem is said to capture the Christmas spirit better than anything else.

This edition is illustrated by Stacey Thomas.

It is recommended for sharing with children during advent.

I can picture reading it aloud by the tree.

Illustrated editions make a short poem feel like a real treat.

A book like this suits families who want a cozy bedtime tradition during the holiday season.

I am excited to flip through the artwork.

A Merry Christmas by Louisa May Alcott

This collection gathers Louisa May Alcott’s treasured holiday tales.

It includes the familiar Yuletide kindness of Marmee and her little women.

Another story, *What Love Can Do*, shows boarding house residents joining forces.

Together they make a lovely Christmas for two girls.

The stories emphasize generosity and charity.

Those themes make them timeless embodiments of the Christmas spirit.

I love stories where a whole community pitches in to help.

I am looking forward to spending time with Marmee and her girls.

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber continues a festive annual tradition with this holiday novel.

It is full of romance and cheer.

The book also offers the magical prospect of finding love in unexpected places.

I enjoy a romance that leans into the holiday mood.

An annual tradition from an author means a Christmas read to look forward to.

Unexpected places for love make me wonder who might find it here.

This looks like a sweet read for a snowy weekend.

I am curious about how the title connects to the story.

The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith

This is a true story about a random act of kindness.

That kindness transformed one of the bleakest moments in a family’s history into a time of strength and love.

Joanne Huist Smith shares it as a heartwarming Christmas story.

The book is described as a reminder of the miracles of Christmas.

It also celebrates the gift of family during the holiday season.

I am curious what the thirteenth gift turns out to be.

True stories of kindness tend to stay with me.

I am eager to see how one kind act changes so much.

---

Time to Start Your Classic Christmas TBR

That is my full list of the best classic Christmas books, and my December reading plan just got a lot bigger.

Pick the ones that fit your mood, whether you want a Dickens revisit, a cozy mystery, a poem to read aloud, or a story the whole family can share.

I plan to read these slowly, one quiet evening at a time.

Save this post, check your library shelves, and keep an eye out for the classics that catch your attention.

Tell me which classic Christmas book you are most excited to read, and happy reading!