It’s been said many times, but I’ll say it again: it’s been quite the year. While I admit that I’m normally one to begin the holiday season earlier than what should be acceptable, I was caught off-guard when I left work at 1 A.M. on October 31st and got in my car to hear “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” blaring through my speaker. Halloween had begun only an hour before and the holiday music had already appeared! And, of course, I embraced it because I think we can all agree that after this year, or simply after this election week, we could all use a little holiday magic.
Therefore, as I sat outside this afternoon, peppermint mocha in hand, sweating in 80 degree weather in the middle of November, I decided that it was time for me to share my holiday reads with the world. Check them out below:
- Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
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By the author Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, this story centers around the relationship that develops between upbeat Lily and Dash, who’s always moody during the holidays, which begins with red notebook full of challenges. Dash and Lily create a scavenger hunt in order to pass the red notebook back and forth. The adventure takes them to bookshops and sites across New York City during the holiday season, making it a spirited and magical tale. Reader’s should pick up this book if they are looking for a lighthearted Christmas romance to begin their holiday season.
- One Day in December by Josie Silver
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If you are a fan of While You Were Sleeping, One Day in December is for you. When Laurie sees a stranger at a bus stop, she knows that she’s found the one. Despite her effortless searching, Laurie never sees him at the bus stop again; however, they are finally reunited when Laurie’s best friend Sarah introduces her to her new boyfriend, Jack— the man from the bus stop. This story follows Laurie, Sarah, and Jack for ten year, chronicling friendship, heartbreak, and missed connections that make for a heartwarming story of love and happiness.
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
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This book is a very warm reminder of my childhood, and I’m always willing go to back to revisit Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan in the eternal winter and magical country of Narnia. After discovering a secret wardrobe in the children’s temporary guardian’s old house, the four siblings are thrown into the world of Narnia, a magical country overtaken by the White Witch. The children soon come to realize that it was their destiny to find Narnia, making them the ones who will help free Narnia from the evil White Witch’s grasp.
- Let it Snow: Three Holiday Stories by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson
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This book features three interconnected stories by three bestselling authors. Let it Snow takes place on Christmas Eve in a small town during a snowstorm. The snowstorm leads to romance between strangers, a trip to a Waffle House with an old friend, and a newfound search for love during the early shift at Starbuck’s. All three authors created lovable character, inventive stories, and hilariously charming young love that all intertwines at the end. What’s not to love?
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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Next up is one of my favorite books of all time by one of my favorite authors of all time. While this book is definitely the most somber on this list, The Book Thief somehow provides light to it’s reader in even the darkest of times. The novel is set in 1939 Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, who follows the life of Liesel, a foster girl living on the outskirts of Munich. This book is one the most well-written and well-crafted books I have read. There is so much intricacy in the development of the story and details in the lives of the characters. I promise that you will not be able to put this book down!
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
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Me Before You is a story that brings ordinary, small village Lou and ex-business man and adventurer Will together after Lou is hired to be Will’s caretaker. Will suffered a terrible accident that bound him to a wheelchair forever, unable to live life as he used to; however, Lou refuses to give in to will’s grumpy behavior, bringing them both love and happiness they never expected. That is until Will reveals a shocking plan he was hiding from Lou all along. This is a heartbreaking story about when it’s best to let go of the one’s you love.
- What Light by Jay Asher
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Every year, Sierra’s family packs up their life on their Christmas tree farm in Oregon and heads down to California to set up their tree lot for the season. Sierra loves her idyllic happy life in Oregon, but also her sparkling, spirited seasons in California. Living in two places, however, always means that Sierra will miss the other, causing her to feel as if her life is in pieces. On what might be her last Winter on the Christmas tree lot, Sierra falls in love, forcing her to confront what would happen if her two lives begin to intersect.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story about Charlie, a boy used to being on the outside. Through a series of diary entries written in the form of letters, Charlie recounts his high school experiences and his friendship with a group of older students who take him under their wings. This story is not necessarily a holiday novel. It makes you reminiscence, however, on what it’s like to grow up in high school, which is something I feel we’re all reminded of when we head home for the holidays.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
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Dicken’s novella produced a story that remains to be re-told again and again every holiday season (from Scrooged with Bull Murray to the Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past with Matthew McConaughey). This is a holiday classic that promotes nostalgia for traditions, forgiving those for their pasts, and helping others when you can. If you’re looking for something deeply traditional, this story is for you.
- When Harry Met Sally… by Nora Ephron
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Okay, so this one may be me cheating a little… When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite Christmas films; however, the screenplay was also released as a book after the film’s success, so that gives me grounds for including it on my list. Not only is every movie ever written by Nora Ephron kind of about the holidays, Sleepless in the Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, Mixed Nuts, but they also provide amazing explorations of people and the way they love. This screenplay is as funny and heartwarming on the page as it is in the film, and is absolutely one of the best holiday stories of its kind.