Oh, what fun it is to curl up with a great book this winter break! Fill the time off from school with scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. Here’s our book recommendations to make the most wonderful time of the year even better!

1. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott

This classic piece of literature is a must-read during the holidays. While the book spans many years, the most iconic parts of the book take place during Christmas Time. “Little Women” follows the stories of the Marsh Sisters, Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth navigating their way through poverty, love, self-fulfillment, and life with their father away on the battlefield during the Civil War. Originally published in 1868, the Marsh Sisters have stolen the hearts of generations, and hopefully yours too!

2.  “One Day in December” by Josie Silver

For all who dabble in the romance genre, this book is perfect for you! Main Character Laurie is blown away by the spark between her and a mystery man she spotted through a bus window. The magic doesn’t last, as her bus drives off before Laurie could even have a chance to catch the mystery man’s name. She spends the next year searching for him, until she finally finds him in a relationship with her best friend. From there, Laurie and Jack go through a 10-year-long whirlwind of friendship, love, and everything in between. “One Day in December” is the perfect amount of suspense and charm that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

3. “The Afterlife of Holly Chase” by Cynthia Hand

Love Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”? “The Afterlife of Holly Chase” is the Christmas classic reimagined! The story follows seventeen-year-old Holly Chase, who was told by three ghosts that her selfish and spoiled ways will lead to a terrible outcome. Holly chooses to ignore their premonitions, which ultimately leads to her death. Five years after her passing, Holly is a part of Project Scrooge, a company that tries to save the Scrooges of the world. She has been miserable ever since, but this year, everything is going to change. “The Afterlife of Holly Chase” will definitely bring tears of sorrow and laughter to your eyes!

4. “The Harry Potter” Series by J.K. Rowling

Add some magic to the holidays with one of the highest-selling series ever! “The Harry Potter” series follows an orphaned boy who discovers his parents come from a society filled with witches and wizards. From there, he is invited to leave the normal world to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along the way, Harry will learn the secrets of the wizarding world and must work to defeat the evil dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. Although these world-renowned books were not intended to be holiday reads, many associate them with Christmas because of the memorable holly jolly moments that occur throughout the series, such as The Weasley Family Sweaters, Harry receiving a Nimbus 2000 Broomstick as a Christmas Present, and The Yule Ball. 

5. “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg

The holidays can be stressful and action packed, leaving many with little time to relax. If you don’t have a lot of time to get cozy by the fire this season, “The Polar Express” is the book for you! This illustrated book can be enjoyed by both young and old. This well-known tale is about a young boy who is eager to catch a glimpse of the real Santa Claus. In the dead of night, a mysterious train appears outside of his house, claiming to be heading to the North Pole. Aboard the train, the young boy is greeted with many other children hoping to meet Old St. Nick as well. The children embark on an adventure filled with elves, hot chocolate, and beautiful winter sights. Instead of watching the film adaptation of this book produced by Warner Bros., opt for the breathtaking illustrations featured in this story. Grab some hot chocolate, and start reading!