Christmas Book Club Picks for 2026

The past couple of years have seen a huge push in new seasonal reading, from Hallmark-style romances to solving mysteries with a holiday flair to in-depth stories that cover grief. There’s definitely a Christmas-themed book for any type of reader.

Just like my monthly book club articles, this list features new releases and older titles. You can find last year’s Christmas book club picks here. For more buzzy new titles covering the entire year, check out my must-read book club picks here.

Let’s get to the Christmas book club picks list for 2026!

Unlike most advent calendar books that feature short stories, this is an entire novel. Readers open one chapter a day starting on December 1st and continue the countdown to Christmas with 24 chapters.

The book follows a jaded New Yorker who gives a Christmas-loving Brit twelve dates to change her mind about the holidays—and love.

 I received an early copy and will be participating as well. Let’s read it together!

You have stories like: the worst Christmas dinner with an ex that turns into a fake dating scheme; a man sitting all day in a diner wearing a zombie Santa outfit after losing a bet; and best friends getting married after a three-day dating event. They all sound so entertaining!

Plus, you get amazing recipes as Abby is an award-winning baker. Also, this novel just looks gorgeous and so Christmasy too.

This story follows a billionaire’s grandson and the housekeeper’s daughter who engage in a cat-and-mouse game, with also a dash of romance. It will no doubt be an entertaining story with an engaging mystery too.

Earlier in the year, I did a Q&A with RaeAnne, and I asked her about some of her favorite aspects of writing holiday stories, and she said:

I love writing about all the messy, complicated, beautiful aspects of celebrating the holidays, dealing with family struggles and overcoming hardships. The holidays seem to bring out the best and the worst in people, which is great fodder for fiction writers! I also love being able to give my readers a warm, cozy place to escape the hectic pace of the holidays for a few hours, inside the pages of my books.

Be sure to add Cozy Little Christmas to your holiday book list!

It takes her to the Alps when suddenly Ali is involved in a fake dating scenario, which could soon prove to be something more.

She’s trying to keep her author identity a secret when she goes home for the holidays, and her high school friend who works at the bookstore may be able to help her keep the secret.

This promises to be a unique and cozy read.

Two sisters are helping their parents with their vow renewal ceremony. One sister’s first love comes back to the picture, while the other sister meets a charming songwriter.

This promises romances with lots of holiday flair.

The store Santa gets a death threat three days before the iconic parade. The assistant to the assistant works with security to ensure he’ll be okay. But then a dead body does appear on a float, and she’ll work tirelessly to find out what happened.

A cozy-type mystery with a historical and holiday setting will no doubt be an entertaining read.

Older Titles

Comfort & Joy follows a woman who has lost everything. She makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind—to just walk away—and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.

Comfort & Joy is the ideal holiday read. You have the setting during Christmastime, and it’s not an afterthought; it’s very much part of the novel. But there’s a bit of magic in there too, which is a nice touch. 

Check out my full review here and book club questions here.

Callie used to love Christmas, but after a recent and painful breakup, she’s feeling anything but festive. So her sister is determined to get Callie back in the holiday spirit, with an adult twist on an advent calendar full of challenges.

It has everything I look for in a holiday story: scenic and descriptive Christmas vibes, a compelling protagonist, a sweet romance, and more. I also like the focus on family, especially sisterhood.

Check out my full review here and my book club questions here.

The story takes place in the snowy Highlands of Scotland. Suzanne McBride’s three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays, and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high as each is dealing with their own problems.

This one is such a great setting; you’ll feel like you are right there with the family in Scotland. Great read all around.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and lots of reading!