Beat the Dog Days of Summer with These 9 Festive Holiday Reads

by Donna Huber

We are officially heading into the Dog Days of Summer, when the heat is relentless and staying inside with the AC blasting is an absolute must. What better time to catch up on the holiday TBR pile that got lost in last year’s end-of-the-year chaos? Celebrate Christmas in July by clearing out these 2025 festive reads—just in time for the brand-new wave of 2026 holiday titles landing on shelves this September! Not sure where to start? Don't worry, I've rounded up 9 of my favorite holiday books from last year to get you started.

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Merry Christmas! and Christmas Books I Still Hope to Read

by Donna Huber

It's Christmas! Did you get to read a lot of Christmas books this month? I would love to know what you read and which were your favorites. I'm almost finished with my last Christmas book that I had in my review pile for 2025, A Christmas Witness by Charles Todd. I'm still waiting for a few holds of Christmas books to come in at the library.

If you still want to read more Christmas books, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Take a Closer Look at How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

by Donna Huber

Each year during the 25 Days of Christmas Reading, I like to dig deep into a literary Christmas favorite. The first year, I took a close look at A Christmas Carol. Last year, I learned some cool facts about the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This year, I decided to see what I could dig up on the children's classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.

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Christmas Hope series by Donna VanLiere

by Donna Huber

Many years ago, I had read one Christmas book by Donna VanLiere but I didn't realize it was part of a series. Them, MK reviewed one of her Christmas books and I discovered there was a whole series. I've been able to get a couple of the audiobooks through the library, and at a book sale recently, I picked up a couple of more. If you are looking for sweet stories about friends, family, and community, then this is the series to read. They are all relatively short, making them easy to squeeze in between all the holiday craziness.They can also be read as standalone novels.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McPherson, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McPherson family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Couple of Holiday Women's Fiction Books to Relax With

by Donna Huber

We are days away from Christmas! Have you finished everything on your list? If so, it's time to relax with a good holiday book.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Have Yourself a Mary Kay Andrews Christmas

by Susan Roberts

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors.  You can always depend on her books to bring a smile to your face and a happily ever after ending.  All of her Christmas books have been added to my Kindle to read in the next three weeks.  Here are highlights of her seven Christmas books.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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5 Christian Christmas Romance Novels

by Donna Huber

If you are looking for clean holiday romance novels that also celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, here are 5 novels to read. 

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Best Selling Holiday Fiction

by Donna Huber

We are a week away from Christmas! If you haven't started your Christmas reading, you need to get on that. Here are some of the best-selling ebooks in holiday fiction.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Scary Ghost Stories and Tales of Christmases Long, Long Ago

By Donna Huber

The other day, I heard the song It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I listen to this song every year, but this year, the line "scary ghost stories" struck me. In Victorian times, it was customary for ghost stories to be shared around the fire during the holidays. The most famous, of course, being A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The song was written in 1963, so perhaps the tradition of ghost stories continued much longer into the 20th century. Though the Victorians shared any type of ghost story, not necessarily about Christmas, here are a few holiday-themed scary ghost stories for your Christmas reading.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Silent Night, Deadly Night by Armando Muñoz ~ a Review

by MK French

In 1971, five-year-old Billy Chapman watched a man dressed as Santa Claus kill his parents. Raised by a sadistic Catholic nun with his little brother, Billy is determined to live a normal life. In 1984, he was forced to dress as Santa Claus for the holidays to make ends meet. Still dressed as Santa, he snaps and goes on a rampage, punishing all those he deems naughty.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Family Fun and Reindeer Games

by Donna Huber

Kids will soon be home for the holidays. You don't want to be the parents in the song "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." (You know the lyric: "And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again".) If you have really young children, check out the list of current and classic Christmas books. If your kids are a little older, here are some fun books for the whole family to join in reindeer games.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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New Books in A Yuletide Creek Series by Kimberly Thomas

by Susan Roberts

Kimberly Thomas has new books in her holiday series that takes place in Yuletide Creek - a small town that really knows how to celebrate the Christmas season.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for honest reviews.

Crime and Christmas - 3 Christmas Crime Novels to Read

by Donna Huber

I used to think that Christmas books were only romances, but then I read a Christmas thriller, and I was hooked. I usually have a few Christmas mysteries on my reading list. If you want to try a little crime with your Christmas reading, check out these free reads*.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

5 Current and Classic Children Christmas Books

by Donna Huber

Do you have a favorite Christmas book from when you were a kid? Or perhaps you found a new favorite while reading with your children. I reviewed a new children's book for Christmas, plus I've rounded up some of my favorite classics. Whether you are looking for books to share with your kids or just want to skip down memory lane, check out this list.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

by Donna Huber

I live in the deep south, where we are more likely to be wearing short-sleeve shirts and sandals at Christmas time. In the 40 years I've lived in the south, I think we've only had a white Christmas a couple of times. (AI says the only year in the past century where my state had measurable snow for Christmas was in 2010). So I tend to lean towards Christmas books with snowy settings. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can read the ebooks for free!

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Murder on a Frosty Night by Verity Bright ~ a Review & Recipe

by Donna Huber

Wrapping presents and singing at midnight mass on a frosty night… Lady Swift is determined to enjoy Christmas at home this year, until another body turns up!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 New Christmas Romances to Relax With

by Susan Roberts

The Christmas season can get pretty hectic for all of us. Nothing is more relaxing this time of the year than a Christmas romance with a happily ever after ending.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for honest reviews.

Ho-ho-horror! Christmas horror short stories

by Donna Huber

I'm not a horror fan at all, but I find it interesting that there are Christmas horror stories. I kind of understand it because a few years ago, I read a terrific Christmas serial killer thriller. I saw these 3 Christmas horror books on the free list and thought I would share them if you are looking for a Christmas horror story. If you would rather just read a horror novel without Christmas, MK has 3 awesome horror novels to recommend later today.

If you are looking for more Christmas reading recommendations, be sure to check out all our 25 Days of Christmas Reading posst for reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

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Come Home for Christmas by Matthew West ~ a Review & Excerpt

by Donna Huber

Come Home for Christmas invites listeners to enter the Christmas season with the intention of returning their hearts to God. In the midst of what can be the busiest and most stressful holiday season, each chapter points the listener to the kingdom realities that God invites each of us to participate in through the birth of Jesus. Matthew West's humor, Bible-teaching, and storytelling challenge us to embrace this season of Christmas as the homecoming that God intends for it to be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.