Christmas Reads for Adults: Classics, New Gems, and a Bit of Modern Romance
Hello lovely readers.
Mandy here, founder and chief book-fan at Novus Publishing House. If you’re anything like me, December isn’t just about lights and glitter; it’s about curling up with a book that feels like a warm hug from an old friend while still nudging you to see the world with fresh eyes. Today I’m sharing a careful blend: beloved Christmas classics, a couple of fresh titles that have earned their place on the seasonal shelf, and a gentle dash of modern romance to remind us that love, in all its forms, still sparkles brightest against a winter night. Love and romance always seem to shine a little brighter amongst the winter skies and sparkly lights of the season, don’t you think?
First, a note on why these stories matter in today’s world. Christmas literature has always been a mirror and a lamp: for me, it reflects who we are and lights the way to who we want to become. In a year that’s had its twists and turns, a well-chosen book can offer clarity, kindness, and a sense of connection; whether that’s reconnecting with family, finding courage to start over, or simply letting a good love story remind us that Happy Endings aren’t just a myth. With that in mind, here’s my Christmas read list that respects the season’s traditions while inviting new voices and perspectives.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
We all know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser with a heart of… well, not much, who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. They show him his past, present, and future, and in a miracle of midnight, he awakens to a life transformed and becomes more generous, more connected, more human. I have already said this in other blogs, but this book is such a favourite of mine, and I cannot get to Christmas Eve without watching the film version too. It’s such a part of Christmas to me.
Dickens nails the push-and-pull between inequality and responsibility, but with warmth and wit. In our busy, unequal world, its message to look out for others, especially when they’re struggling, feels more relevant than ever.
It’s also a masterclass in storytelling economy: a lean, pointed narrative that lands with a universal punch. For me, Dickens and Scrooge are absolutely synonymous with Christmas: Scrooge, the ghosts, Tiny Tim, and the emphasis on generosity, transformation, and social responsibility all feel like a living, breathing Christmas in Britain.
Scrooge is such an endearing character, and Dickens truly cements our own connections with Scrooge’s personality throughout the narrative; whether we are a little ‘bah-humbug’ at times or holding on to past hurts and regrets, I am sure, there are so many moments of the story where we think about our own actions, thoughts and values. The book offers so many reflective moments: a renewed sense of gratitude, a reminder that small acts of kindness can ripple outward, and a belief that it’s never too late to choose a kinder path.
But as with Scrooge, we also recognise the value of change, being more compassionate and the value of community. Love, in all its forms, is what connects us to one another and our innermost spirit.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women has been my all-time favourite book since I was 10, and it still feels like a warm, twinkling light at Christmas. The four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, grow through joy and hardship, through love and loss, and their story teaches us about family, loyalty, and finding balance between pursuing your own dreams and supporting the people you love. This book is a celebration of sisterhood, family, friendship, and the messy beauty of growing up.
At Christmas, those themes glow even brighter: generosity, forgiveness, and the quiet acts that make home feel like a haven. Jo’s stubbornness and Meg’s tenderness echo the festive season’s mix of warmth and ambition that many of us juggle. The book’s humour, resilience, and everyday sacrifices remind us that Christmas isn’t just about fun and gifts; it’s about showing up for one another, helping those in need, valuing all that you have, and recognising that when you give, you gain. It’s a celebration of sisters and a core theme that remains universal: a partnership between sisters, and between lovers that respects individuality while choosing togetherness.
No matter how many times I read this book, I still find a warm sense of belonging, of compassion and understanding of others and that true happiness often comes from connection, compassion and caring.
If you’re seeking a heartening, timeless read this December, Little Women fits perfectly alongside newer romances, offering a gentle reminder that love exists in many forms and that hope is constant.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale by Philip Van Doren Stern
The Greatest Gift is the heartwarming short story that inspired ‘It's a Wonderful Life,’ the timeless classic black and white film so many of us rewatch each Christmas. Written by Philip Van Doren Stern in 1943, it follows George Pratt, a discouraged man who wishes he'd never been born. A mysterious stranger grants his wish, and George discovers a world where he never existed; his friends and family live completely different, often darker lives without him.
The story explores powerful themes of self-worth, community impact, and gratitude, and it serves as a powerful reminder that every person's life creates ripples that touch countless others, even when we can't see it ourselves.
Perfect for Christmas, the tale captures the holiday spirit of hope, redemption, and recognising life's true blessings. It's about looking beyond material success to appreciate the relationships and small acts of kindness that give life meaning. A beautiful reminder that we all matter more than we think. A must-read for those who loved the film, but also for those who have never seen it (where have you been?) as this book deepens the storytelling of Van Doren Stern’s masterful themes, and I believe it leaves us readers wanting to do more and do better… now wouldn’t that make this a wonderful world?
The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale by Philip Van Doren Stern
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
Who doesn’t love a little Agatha Christie? And this book doesn’t disappoint! Christie gives us a brisk, clever murder mystery wrapped in a wintry, festive setting. Her writing is precise and sharp, like cut glass, and the book blends a careful puzzle with an atmosphere charged with suspicion and resentment. Poirot is called in to investigate the Christmas Eve murder of the tyrannical Simeon Lee, and he works to uncover the identity of the murderer within the estranged, secretive and emotionally complex family, visiting for the holidays.
As you turn each page you can relish the challenge of solving the mystery whilst appreciating the way the story turns to deeper truths as secrets are revealed and family dynamics come under the spotlight. It’s a story of family dysfunction, greed, and holding on to past grievances, which, sadly, often come to light with the intensity of the festive season for many families.
The Christmas flavour here comes from truth-telling and accountability; the season’s long evenings seem to push everyone to face what they’ve hidden. In the noise of holiday gatherings, this story reminds us that the hardest truths are sometimes the most necessary to hear. Christie’s outstanding ability to write engaging mysteries that delve deep into the complexities of human relationships is pure mastery! A must-read for Christie fans and lovers of a plot twist!
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
One Day in December by Josie Silver
This is a contemporary romance built on what might have been. Its popularity comes from its quiet, heartfelt pace and its honest longing. The story pulls you in with the ache and the beauty of a chance meeting that could rewrite a life, and the calm joy that follows when time and love find a way forward. Christmas in this book feels like a bright, hopeful invitation; an idea that the season can open doors to new possibilities. It asks you to believe that the past can be carried forward with grace, and that a second chance can still arrive, even in December’s stillness.
One testimonial describes Silver’s book as, ‘a charming love story about love and serendipity for the hopeless romantic in all of us,’ and I agree. A simple but engaging read that 54k readers rate as 4.7stars, so if you’re looking for escapism and to lose yourself in a bit of romance, this book should definitely be on your list.
One Day in December by Josie Silver
The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score
If you’re still in the mood for a little light, romantic fiction, The Christmas Fix brings a different energy: modern romance with wit and warmth. Score writes with a lively voice that makes you feel the glow of Christmas without pretending to be perfect.
A story of a renovator and single dad, working together to save a small town’s Christmas festival, despite their mutual animosity, the story opens up to create a heart-warming romance between Cat and Noah. It’s not a timeless classic but a simple, ‘lose yourself’ kind of read, and fans love the book for its real-life feel: the messiness, the hope, and a second chance that really sticks.
The Christmas mood here is a breath of peppermint in a crowded room. It acknowledges the season’s stress of to-do lists, expectations, and old wounds, all whilst insisting that happiness can bloom when we reach out, forgive, and try again. This book says you don’t have to be perfect to belong; you have to show up with kindness and stubborn optimism.
The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score
And in closing…
At Novus, we think of books as living rooms for readers - places to sit with doubts, celebrate small wins, and feel seen in our desires. The titles above each fit that idea in their own way. They offer a warm shelter from the winter wind and remind us that Christmas is not just a moment but a mood; gentle, thrilling, restorative, and full of a stubborn, hopeful heart.
If you’re building a winter reading list with a mix of moods, these recommendations are a strong thread to pull together. They show Christmas as both memory and possibility: a time when strangers can become kindred spirits, and a story can help a heart feel at home again.
As you settle in by the fire, a blanket tucked around you, and the soft glow of a Christmas tree lighting the room, I hope these books keep you company. May they open your heart a little wider, help you forgive a bit faster, and give you a bit more hope. If you like sharing good reads, pass these pages along: the way you share a favourite book can feel like a small Christmas gift: warm, simple, and true.
With warmth,
Mandy x
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