10 Christmas Books To Feel the Joys of the Holiday This Summer

Let’s get in the spirit of Christmas and slide into the joys of the upcoming winter season with these next reads. 

Book Culture General Fiction On This Day Recommendations
Three book covers next to a starfish with a Santa hat on

With Fall around the corner, it’s never too early to celebrate Christmas. Christmas in July is typically celebrated for those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, where July is in the middle of their winter. However, the goal is to get the entire public in the “Christmas spirit” during the summertime. From heartwarming romances to touching memoirs, these books will surely get you in a joyful mood for the upcoming holiday. 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This timeless classic about Scrooge’s transformation is a great read any time of the year.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, book cover depicting a green background and golf foiled character silhouettes.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, highlights themes of compassion, generosity, and the importance of family and community. A Christmas Carol is a beautiful reminder of the spirit of Christmas, what the holiday represents, and how we can be more kind and mindful of our actions. Dickens’ timeless message that it is never too late to change for the better makes this book both heartwarming and unforgettable.

Christmas in July by Debbie Mason

Christmas in July is the second book in the Christmas, Colorado series and tells the story of Grace and Jack Flaherty. In the heartwarming tale, Grace had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again after over a year of his disappearance in combat. So, when Jack strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, it’s nothing short of a miracle. However, their journey to a happily-ever-after is far from straightforward, as Jack has no memory of his family.

A yellow house with a blue door.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

This romance novel set in the charming town of Harmony Harbor offers a delightful blend of summer and holiday vibes, making it an ideal read for Christmas in July.

One Day in December by Josie Silver

One Day in December is a heartwarming love story that will make even the most skeptical readers believe in love at first sight. Laurie never believed in such things — until one snowy December day, she spots a man through a misted-up bus window and knows instantly that he is the one. Their eyes meet, a moment of pure magic occurs, and then the bus drives away.

Fictional man and woman at a bus stop.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

This enchanting novel unfolds over ten years, capturing the twists and turns of life and love. It is a compelling summer read filled with romance and holiday spirit.

The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

Nobody understands the burden of survivors’ guilt more than Suzanne, the adoptive mother of three daughters, Hannah, Beth, and Posy. Twenty-five years ago, a tragic accident took the lives of their biological parents, a loss that still haunts Suzanne and her daughters today. This is a story of three sisters who reunite for Christmas, each bringing their own life challenges and secrets.

A group of people celebrating together.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Follow the emotional journey of these women’s intertwined lives as they navigate love, loss, forgiveness, and acceptance, sprinkled with doses of holiday cheer. 

Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson

A Christmas Eve snowstorm turns a small town into a winter wonderland straight out of a romantic movie.

Picture this: a cold, wet hike from a stranded train through a snow-blanketed landscape ends not in misery but with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. Imagine braving four feet of snow for a Waffle House visit, only to find love with an old friend. Envision the path to rekindling romance, beginning with an early morning shift at Starbucks.

Paper snowflakes with the names of the authors cut out.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

This collection of three interconnected short stories set during a snowstorm is filled with romance and adventure, offering a fun escape from the summer heat.

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories Edited by Stephanie Perkins

A delightful anthology of twelve holiday-themed romance stories by popular YA authors, perfect for savoring in the sun.

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories Edited by Stephanie Perkins, book cover depicting an illustration of people skating on a frozen pond.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP

This collection of stories is diverse and filled with people of all races, religions, and sexualities. Who knows, you might find some nice surprises in this collection that you adore.

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

Get ready for a whirlwind of holiday drama and heartfelt moments in Winter Street. At the heart of this engaging tale is Kelley Quinn, the owner of Nantucket’s charming Winter Street Inn and the proud, albeit stressed, father of four adult children, each grappling with their own life challenges.

A man and woman standing back to back on a beach.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

This book is a delightful mix of family chaos, unexpected romance, and holiday spirit, making it a must-read for anyone looking to be swept up in the magic and madness of the season. Perfect for beach reading with a festive twist.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

The inspiration for the movie Christmas with the Kranks, this humorous novel about a couple who decides to skip Christmas, is a fun and light-hearted summer read.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, book cover depicting an illustration of a snowy christmas town
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

The Kranks plan to be the only house on the street without a rooftop Frosty the Snowman. They won’t be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash, and they won’t even have a tree. Instead, come December 25, they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. However, when Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip the holiday madness, it isn’t as easy as they had imagined.

A Court of Sugar and Spice by Rebecca F. Kenney

Imagine having your inheritance locked away until you get married. This is the predicament facing sisters Clara and Louisa. In their twenties and forced to live with their enigmatic godfather, Drosselmeyer, their lives take a fantastical turn one fateful night. A mishap brings to life a mysterious wooden Nutcracker doll, who turns out to be a cursed Fae prince desperate for their help.

A Court of Sugar and Spice by Rebecca F, Kenney, book cover with Vibrant flowers and peppermint round on a dark background.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

A Court of Sugar and Spice is a captivating and spicy adult fantasy romance that reimagines the classic Nutcracker fairytale with a delicious twist. This tale of love, magic, and adventure will have you enchanted from the first page to the last.

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith

A heartwarming true story that transforms a family’s darkest moments into a beacon of hope and love.

A red door with a gift on the doorstep.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

After her husband’s unexpected death, Joanne Huist Smith faced the daunting task of holding herself and her three children together, especially as the holiday season loomed. But just 12 days before Christmas, an unexpected miracle began to unfold. This touching narrative demonstrates the profound impact of random acts of kindness, illuminating a beautiful reminder of the miracles that the Christmas season can bring.

Many people just love celebrating the most wonderful time of the year twice, and so do we! These books will have you feeling all the bliss of Christmas during the summer season.


Check out more Christmas books here!

Browse our Bookstr Team Recs here!

FEATURED IMAGE VIA BOOKSTR / DUNIA MATTA