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December always flips a switch in me. The weather drops, the lights go up, and suddenly I’m craving those feel-good holiday stories the way some folks crave hot chocolate. This is the time of year when my reading really kicks into gear. Between my stack of Christmas romances and my never-ending lineup of Hallmark Christmas movies, I get to escape reality for a little while and settle into something warm, sweet, and comforting.
Every December, I like to pick one physical book to start the month with—an actual hold-it-in-my-hands, turn-the-pages kind of book. There’s just something satisfying about the weight of it, the sound of the pages, and the way it instantly sets the tone for the season. After that, my Kindle becomes my best friend as I race the calendar, trying to squeeze in as many holiday reads as I can before New Year’s Eve hits.
This year, I’ve put together a list that’s equal parts cozy, romantic, and downright festive. Here’s what I’ll be diving into.
A Gingerbread Romance
This is my one physical book for the month, and the moment it arrived last week, I knew it was the perfect place to start. A sweet, Hallmark-style romance, A Gingerbread Romance follows architect Taylor Scott and baker Adam Dale as they team up for a life-changing gingerbread house competition. It’s got small-town charm, holiday magic, and enough sugar-sweet moments to make you grin like you’re biting into a fresh cookie. This one feels like the perfect kickoff for December—a slow-down moment before the reading marathon begins.
The Spiced Cocoa Café
Once I finish my gingerbread fix, it’s time to move over to my Kindle, starting with The Spiced Cocoa Café. Everything about this book screams cozy winter escape. The story revolves around warm drinks, sweet friendships, and a little romance stirred in like cinnamon in a mug. Books like this make me want to curl up under a blanket, light a candle, and pretend the world outside doesn’t exist.
Countdown to Christmas
This one feels tailor-made for the Hallmark-lover in me. A sweet, simple, holiday romance that follows characters trying to reconnect with the magic of the season. These kinds of stories are like comfort food—predictable in the best way, heartwarming, and full of those moments that make you smile without even realizing it. December wouldn’t be complete without at least one book that leans allll the way into Christmas magic.
The Christmas Tree Farm
Who can resist a Christmas-tree-farm setting? Snow, lights, pine everywhere—it’s practically illegal to not read a book like this in December. This story brings some TikTok buzz with it and has that perfect small-town vibe. I’m expecting budding romance, a little family drama, and maybe even a save-the-farm moment. Give me that classic holiday formula every time.
The Inn at Evergreen Hollow
This one looks like a perfect finale for the month. A cozy Christmas inn? A small town full of secrets? Winter romance mixed with a bit of personal growth? Yes ma’am, I’m in. The cover alone makes me want to grab a blanket and block off the whole afternoon. I love ending December with something that makes me reflect on the past year, and this book seems to deliver that blend of warmth, hope, and new beginnings.
Will I Finish Them All Before New Year’s Eve?
That’s the goal. Every year I tell myself I can do it, and some years I come close… others, well, let’s just say life has a way of interrupting even the best reading intentions. But there’s something fun about trying. It turns the whole month into a personal challenge—me vs. my TBR pile.
And honestly? Whether I finish them all or not, the joy is in the journey. These books give me that warm, fuzzy feeling I wait all year for. They soften the edges of the world, just like those Hallmark movies I keep running in the background while I read. December doesn’t really feel complete until I’ve gotten lost in these holiday stories.
So here’s to cozy nights, glowing Christmas lights, and a stack of books just begging to be devoured. If all goes well, I’ll be turning that last page sometime before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
If not… well, I’ll be starting January on a festive note.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.