As the chilly air settles in and the festive season draws near, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book to embrace the magic of Christmas. These stories have a beautiful way of capturing the joy, nostalgia, and warmth of the holiday season, making this selection of British Christmas novels the perfect companions for those long winter nights.
Let’s dive into the best British Christmas books to add to your reading list this season!
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
Looking for the best British Christmas books for kids? This magical tale takes us back to a time before Santa Claus, when an eleven-year-old boy named Nikolas, nicknamed “Christmas,” sets out on a magical adventure.
With only a turnip doll to his name, gifted by his loving parents, Nikolas’s life is simple yet happy, until his father mysteriously vanishes. Determined to find him, Nikolas heads to the North Pole, where he encounters enchanted reindeer, mischievous trolls, and the frozen, troubled village of Elfhelm.
Elfhelm’s Christmas spirit is fading fast, and Nikolas soon realises he might be the only one who can bring joy back to the elves and rescue his father. Filled with humour, heart, and the belief in the impossible, A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig is a modern Christmas classic.
Christmas at Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown
Step into the glittering world of Carrington’s Department Store, where Christmas is in full swing in Christmas at Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown. Georgie Hart, the lovable manager of the luxury handbag department, adores helping shoppers find that perfect gift and is especially excited to spend the season with her charming boyfriend, Tom.
But Christmas at Carrington’s takes an unexpected turn when Tom announces a reality TV series filming at the store, led by the tough-as-nails retail expert Kelly Cooper. Suddenly, Georgie’s dream holiday is disrupted, especially when she’s cast in an unflattering light and Kelly’s daughter starts showing a little too much interest in Tom.
Georgie fears her Christmas cheer may be spoiled, but as the festive season unfolds, she discovers Santa may still have a few surprises in store.
A Very Irish Christmas: The Greatest Irish Holiday Stories of All Time by Bernard MacLaverty
This enchanting anthology captures the heart of Christmas in Ireland, bringing together timeless holiday tales and poetic gems from the Emerald Isle.
A Very Irish Christmas by Bernard MacLaverty offers readers a rich collection of classic and modern stories from Ireland’s most celebrated voices, including James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Elizabeth Bowen, Anne Enright, William Trevor, Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, and many more.
Murder by Christmas: A Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery by Lesley Cookman
On the hunt for British Christmas mystery books? In Murder by Christmas by Lesley Cookman, a part of the beloved Libby Sarjeant series, amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant finds herself juggling holiday spirit with another twisty mystery.
While rehearsing for her town’s annual Christmas pantomime, Libby’s holiday preparations are interrupted when a body is discovered in a doorway just two weeks before Christmas. Joined by her loyal friend Fran, Libby dives into an investigation that leads her into the unexpected world of a local brewery and its changing ownership of pubs.
With the clock ticking and the holiday season in full swing, Libby enlists a group of local publicans to help piece together the mystery. Will she be able to solve the case in time for Christmas?
‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas: A Parody by Emlyn Rees
Emlyn Rees brings us a modern, laugh-out-loud twist on The Night Before Christmas. Meet the Jones family, who are navigating the season’s usual stresses such as overbearing in-laws, endless internet shopping woes, too much sherry, and fights over the TV remote. But this year, their Christmas may turn out to be more chaotic than festive, especially with an unexpected guest adding to the mayhem.
‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas by Emlyn Rees is a spirited parody that promises to entertain the whole family with its clever take on the classic holiday tale.
Who Will You Meet on Santa Claus Street by Gareth Peter
Looking for some extra magic to your family’s Christmas countdown?
Get ready for a holiday adventure with Who Will You Meet on Santa Claus Street! This fun-filled book is perfect for storytime with the whole family, inviting kids to discover a new festive friend on every page. Discover more books by Gareth Peter, perfect for reading with the little ones, or even great gift ideas this Christmas! For more Christmas bookish fun, check out This Book is Full of Elves!
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Explore our British Christmas romance books and more! Take a look through our collection and find a British author to add to your Christmas reading list!