All right, I know—Thanksgiving isn’t here yet but I think it’s time to start lining up some Christmassy reads! I have so many good memories of curling up before the fireplace with a good Christmas story. (A wood stove was our only source of heat growing up, so reading in front of the fire really did happen!) To this day it is still one of the main things I look forward to around this time of year. Here are some historical fiction Christmas reads for you to consider reading this holiday season.
Under the Walnut Tree by Charles Todd
We follow Lady Elspeth Douglas as the First World War breaks out in Europe. Elspeth promises herself to the brother of her good friend only to second guess her decision when she meets Captain Peter Gilchrist. Elspeth becomes a nurse and, as such, experiences the horrors of war personally, as does her fiancée who comes back from war a very changed man causing Elspeth to further question her decision to pledge herself to such a man. I enjoyed this book very much but only a small portion of it takes place at Christmas. This is a good book to kick off your holiday reading early on in the Christmas season.
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
Talk about a cozy book to curl up with! This heartwarming story takes place in England in the 1950s and is about college age Megs’ quest to find out from Mr. C. S Lewis himself what parts of Narnia are true on behalf of her beloved brother George. George is seven and has a serious heart condition—Megs and her family never know when they might lose George. When George asks Megs to find out what inspired C. S Lewis to write Narnia, Megs is unable to refuse—even though as a math major she simply can’t figure out what fictional story could possibly matter in real life. The process of discovering this answer changes Megs and how she views the world. This book is full of all the warmth and comfort of the Christmas season! An added bonus is that if you are a Narnia fan, you will really enjoy the glimpse behind the curtain to the creation of Narnia that this book offers.
Last Christmas In Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
This book takes place during World War I. It is written in letter form between Evie Elliott, her brother Will, and Will’s best friend, Thomas Harding, tells the story of young people coming of age during the First World War—a war they believed would end by Christmas. While this book does not take place exclusively at Christmastime, key parts of it are centered around the four Christmases that elapse during World War I, and a love that grows over the years.
Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
This story imagines what the backdrop could have been behind the creation of Mr. Dickens’ famous tale: A Christmas Carol. It is a little over a month before Christmas and Dickens thinks he has everything sewn up having just dropped his latest novel off at his publishers and is off to plan his elaborate Christmas party when his world is turned upside down. His publisher has rejected his latest manuscript due to failing sales of his last book. Dickens’ choices are nil: either write a new book before Christmas or face financial ruin. He decides to try for a new story. The question is will he be able to do it in time to save his Christmas?
When Christmas Comes Again by Beth Seidel Levine
This story is geared for middle grade readers but is such a sweet story! I love young Simone (the main character) and enjoy being immersed in her world as she tells first of life as the daughter of the social elite, but also of life as a telegraph operator from overseas on the front line of the fighting. If you have a young reader, this is the perfect book to read with them. Or if you are just looking for something sweet and uplifting this book is great for that too!
A Season of Giving by Richard Peck
Again this book is geared for middle grade and young readers but Richard Peck is an excellent author with a great way of describing characters, showing you what they are like with his descriptions rather than just telling you the facts. This is the story of young Bob, the son of the town’s new preacher, and we follow him through all kinds of misadventures leading up to Christmas as he learns about his new town. Again, lighthearted but not frivolous this is a sweet, funny read for this holiday season!
Disclosure
Please remember that this post contains affiliate links; that means if you click on the link, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a way to support my blog! I will only ever share an affiliate link if I love the product and think that you just might love it too!