10 Books You Should Read this Holiday

It’s Christmas and I have a gift for you! Even though I personally don’t celebrate Christmas, but it’s the third best time of the year (after Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha). Books I mentioned below do not necessary sets in winter, but it’s perfect to read during cold weather. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

10 books you should read this holiday

 

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden

Genres: Historical fantasy, mythology & folklore

Based on various Russian folklore, The Winternight Trilogy follows an adventure of Vasya in attempt to save Russia from evil beings. If you’re looking for atmospheric book with great characters and world building, The Winternight Trilogy is your new best friend!

 

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Genres: Historical fiction, mystery

This is a story about life of people who live in the banks of River Thames. One night, a strange man entered a pub with a mysterious girl who appeared to be dead. Once Upon River feels similar to The Winternight Trilogy because of the atmosphere and how the characters still believe in folklore. It’s a perfect book to read during rainy seasons too!

 

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis

Genres: Romance

Who’s down for some cliche romance this holiday? We Met in December is about two housemates who fall for each other, though they try to not show their feelings. The best thing about this book is the description of each characters, that make me feel like they’re not two-dimensional.

 

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Genres: New adult fantasy, retelling

I always associate To Kill a Kingdom with December. This dark The Little Mermaid retelling will makes you crave for an adventure across the ocean. Like I said, this isn’t a friendly retelling, so don’t expect it to has singing crab and fish. The best enemies to lovers book? To Kill a Kingdom.

 

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Genres: Contemporary fiction

Welcome to Beartown, a small town where its citizen depends on junior hockey team. A realistic fiction that discusses about every characters’ lives and inner problems. Every characters are written perfectly, it feels like, you’re listening to a friend talks about their problems with you.

 

The Boss Who Stole Christmas by Jana Aston

Genre: New adult romance

What’s holiday without some trashy romance, am I right? The Boss Who Stole Christmas may sounds like your typical book that came straight from Wattpad, but it’s not. It’ll make you want to spend your Christmas with your significant other somewhere in Germany. And it’s only 100 page long, so you can definitely finish this in one sitting.

 

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Genres: Young adult, historical fiction, mystery and thriller

Spooky season may be over, but it’s not winter if you don’t read a mystery of Jack the Ripper. This book follows Audrey Rose and Thomas Creswell solving a series of murder in London. It’s a good book to read when it’s raining outside and you are not currently in the mood for romance.

 

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Genres: Young adult contemporary, mystery

In the mood for some melancholy book? Try Sadie by Courtney Summers! I recommend you to listen to the audiobook because it’s an experience. It’s also a short audiobook so you can listen to it while you’re browsing through your Twitter or something.

 

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Genres: Fantasy, retelling

Spinning Silver is a brilliant retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. This book feels similar to The Winternight Trilogy and Once Upon a River; they have magic and folklore element, they are atmospheric and have an expansive prose. This a perfect book you read during cold weather!

 

Circe by Madeline Miller

Genres: Fantasy, retelling

If we talk about Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles would be the first book that comes to our mind. Whereas TSOA based on Homer’s Iliad, Circe is based on Odyssey and the myth of Circe, a powerful sorceress. This is a perfect book for you to read to spend your holiday, because it’ll take you back to ancient Greece time, sitting around in the isolated island with a powerful woman beside you.

 

✧ More of book recommendations here ✧

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And these all the books I suggest you to read this holiday! You’re welcome to add your own recommendation on the comment section below or let me know if you’ve read one of these books.

Merry Christmas for those who celebrate it and happy holiday!