2020 Christmas Reading Guide

My annual list of holiday-themed books is always one of the posts I look forward to the most each year, and this year was no different. Christmas reading is just so fun! One thing that was a little different from years past, though, is that I had a harder time finding good Christmas books to include this time around.

All of my Christmas book lists are composed of books that I have personally read and enjoyed, and I usually start reading strategically in August to make sure I have enough time to build a full list. This year, I struggled a bit to find books that I truly felt good about recommending. I DNFed a lot more more than I usually do, but I think the result is a solid guide for which books to pick up for a good holiday-themed read this year.

See Christmas book lists from previous years:
2016 // 2017 // 2018 // 2019

The list is broken up into two sections, so make sure you read all the way to the end to get both the adult’s book list and the children’s book list.

I hope you find as much delight in these titles as I did. Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Books for Adults

The Christmas Swap

I’m starting out with my favorite here. This one revolves around a Christmas house swap (think popular rom-com The Holiday) and, of course, there is a boy who meets a girl. I couldn’t put it down and loved the sense of place and atmosphere in the snowy Colorado town where the story takes place.

Evergreen

Evergreen is a Christmas story about empty nesters, and how they’ve grown apart during the last few years. It’s both bittersweet and hopeful as John and Ingrid get to know each other again and find forgiveness for wrongs they weren’t even aware were still impacting them. There are poignant scenes and funny ones, and I really liked this Christmas novella.

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas

This is the most whimsical pick on the list. Mrs. Miracle is an undercover angel sent to help a family who needs some healing this Christmas season. Laurel and Zach have been trying to have a child for years, but their many attempts at fertility treatments and adoption have left them heartbroken and estranged. Add on that Laurel’s grandmother Helen needs increasing amounts of care, and this is shaping up to be a stressful Christmas — until Mrs. Miracle arrives.

A Royal Christmas Wedding

Where are my ‘all things royal’ fans? If you fit that description then this book is for you! This is about an average American girl in love with a titled European boy, but I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that there are people who want to keep them apart. This is a fun read, especially if you are familiar with the rest of the Royal Wedding Series, although this book is definitely fine as a standalone.

The Christmas Star

This story is pretty much the definition of sweet. There is a little girl who tries to play matchmaker, a kind-hearted school janitor who gets a second chance at love, and lots of lovable and funny characters to round out the tale. This one is all about giving and receiving grace, and learning what truly makes a family.

A December Bride

I never get tired of the fake relationship trope, and this story starts out with bang when two frenemies enter into an unexpected fake engagement. Sparks fly as they try to find out way out of their predicament while ignoring the obvious chemistry between them. And if you enjoy this novella, just be aware that there are eleven more in this Year of Weddings series.

A Christmas Gift

I read this super short YA novelette in about half an hour, so it’s perfect for squeezing some holiday cheer into a small amount of time. When Holly agrees to help Caleb, the boy she’s liked for years, shop for a Christmas gift for his girlfriend, they both get more than they bargained for in the process. This one was free for Kindle!

The Party: A Dear Santa Christmas Romance

Caterer Paige mistakes the wealthy bachelor who hired her as part of the cleanup crew, but Jake soon clears up her misconceptions about him and shows her what an awesome guy he is. It turns out that he’s funny, generous, and adores the little brother she’s responsible for. What more could she ask for this Christmas? This one is also a free Kindle book!

A New York Christmas

This book slid in under the wire. As I was writing this post I felt like something was missing, and I realized there were no historical or mysteries on my list! This last second pick fulfills both of those requirements nicely. There is a spunky main character named Jemima who is falsely accused of a crime days before Christmas, and even though the real killer ended up being exactly who I thought, there were still several surprises along the way.

Christmas Books for Kids

Memoirs of An Elf

My kids adored this cute story that shows how Spark the Elf keeps Santa on track. They couldn’t stop talking about Tugboat, the dog that Santa stops to pet, causing him to fall behind. This book feels more modern than a lot of kids Christmas books since there are references to GPS and other technology, and as much as I appreciate classics and tradition, I like a current feel, too.

12 Days of Christmas

This is a fun animal-themed take on the twelve days of Christmas, and I love the illustrations in this one! Make sure you and your kids take time to look at all the details on each page, and if you have a child who is learning to count, this makes for great practice up to the number 12!

Dream Snow

Lift the flap books are so fun, and this a cute, simple story about a farmer who nearly forgets Christmas that toddlers will enjoy. Depending on the version you get, there is also a button in the very back that triggers music and lights. Great for your littlest kiddos!

A Tuba Christmas

Ava is from a very musical family, but she hasn’t chosen her perfect instrument yet. With the annual holiday concert coming up soon, she’s feeling the pressure and – spoiler alert – she decides to learn the tuba!

Otis Christmas

The farm is going to get a very special gift this Christmas – a new foal! But the mama horse is having trouble, and somebody needs to get through the deep snow to fetch the vet to save her and her baby. Otis to the rescue! This book made me a little teary eyed, but I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that everything turns out just fine.

Splat the Cat Christmas

Splat is sure that he has been good this year, good enough to get the very big present he wants from Santa. But then his little sister makes him doubt, so he decides to be EXTRA good and helpful until Christmas — much to the chagrin of his poor mother. Parents will enjoy watching Splat ‘help’ and kids will laugh at the chaos that ensues.

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Do you enjoy Christmas reading? What are some of your favorite holiday books?