Winter break is fast approaching, and what better to do during your days off than read? In between family gatherings and spending time with friends, it can be beneficial to take time for yourself and relax with a good book. You can even get into the spirit of the season by reading books related to winter and the holiday season. Below I have selected festive reading material for a variety of interests. The books discussed here are primarily young adult (YA), middle grade, and classics. Read on to discover your new favorite winter novel!

If you want to read the quintessential Christmas YA novel…

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares

This novel, co-written by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, was released in 2010 and definitely has that early 2010s nostalgia. It shares the story of two teens who fall in love in New York City at Christmas by solely communicating through a red notebook hidden in one of the city’s most famous bookstores. The ensuing hijinks are hilarious while still being romantic. There is also a Netflix adaptation of the book released in 2020 called Dash and Lily. Both iterations of this story are very festive and make up a wonderful part of the holiday season. 

If you would like a more diverse Christmas YA novel that is still reminiscent of a Hallmark movie…

The Holiday Switch 

It is a disappointing truth that many holiday romance novels do not represent the diversity of the people who read them. The Holiday Switch is one that goes against the typical formula by featuring two Filipino leads and being a celebration of Filipino culture. It demonstrates the intersectionality that you don’t have to be a certain type of person in order to celebrate Christmas. The book radiates Hallmark movie energy being set in a sweet inn hotel in a quaint wintry town in upstate New York. It utilizes the rivals-to-lovers trope, and the female lead is even a book blogger, hitting all those familiar holiday movie beats. 

If you want to read about another high school student’s winter break experience…

10 Blind Dates 

This contemporary YA novel tells the story of teenage Sophie whose extended family sets her up on ten blind dates throughout her winter break after her boyfriend decides they need time apart. The ensuing ten blind dates are chaotic and entertaining, providing Sophie with a lot of internal conflict. This is a wonderful example of a book that has Christmas in the background, while being mostly about Sophie’s relationship with her family. 

If you enjoy stories about sisters and love classic novels… 

Little Women

This book is a classic for all seasons but is particularly enjoyable in the winter. The story opens with the four sisters lamenting about their lack of Christmas presents this year. It shares the story of how the four little women change over their lives. It has cozy, wintertime vibes and can be enjoyed on a cold day with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or tea. After reading the book, you can even watch the 2019 adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan, among many other A-list celebrities. 

If you are interested in Charles Dickens and Victorian Christmas celebrations…

A Christmas Carol

This 1843 novella by Charles Dickens is considered the definitive Christmas novel. Many of the Christmas traditions of today came about because of this book. It does, however, contain some scary scenes, and some may feel frightened by the ghosts, which is why it is good to exercise caution with this book. Illustrated editions can be found to aid with understanding and add to the experience. This novel, like many other classics, has a variety of film adaptations that can be viewed either before or after reading the original text. 

If you want to revisit a childhood classic…

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Many students remember reading this book in elementary school. From the eternal winter in Narnia to the hopefully delicious Turkish delight, the book exudes Christmas. The four Pevensie children venture into the wardrobe on a rainy day in the English countryside, adding to the cozy atmosphere. This is a wonderful book to read to feel the nostalgia of your childhood, and notice things you didn’t notice the first time around. 

If you want to learn about one (fictional) version of Santa Claus’s origin story…

A Boy Called Christmas 

This middle-grade novel shares the story of a young boy named Nikolas who must travel to the North Pole to rescue his father and becomes Father Christmas in the process. This book hits all the holiday notes while demonstrating a unique sense of humor with multiple fourth-wall-breaks. The book is actually the first of a series of four books, all about the holiday season, making it a wonderful series to get into during this time of year. 

All of the books recommended in this article are available at Wake County public libraries. There are many other holiday-related books not discussed in this article that are available for your reading pleasure. Some examples can be found in this article. We here at Legacy hope you have a wonderful winter break filled with family, friends, food, and fantastic reading material!