Here are 80 books that The Battle for Christmas fans have personally recommended if you like The Battle for Christmas. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil

Jason Mankey Author Of Llewellyn's Little Book of Yule

From my list on Christmas and the Holiday Season.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I was four years old, I have been in love with Christmas! I’m the kind of person who starts humming carols in October and puts up their first decorations the moment Halloween ends. I’ve got a Christmas Sweater for every day and a card or a present for every friend I bump into. Without a doubt, the Holiday Season is the best time of the year!

Jason's book list on Christmas and the Holiday Season

Jason Mankey Why Jason loves this book

I love weird and mostly overlooked Christmas-related stuff, and there are few Holiday characters as weird and overlooked as the Krampus!

I loved the full-color photographs Ridenour includes of the Krampus (and adjacent figures), many of which I had never seen before. And a lot of the pictures feature a very menacing Krampus! There’s more to Christmas than just Santa Claus. 

By Al Ridenour ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With the appearance of the demonic Christmas character Krampus in contemporary Hollywood movies, television shows, advertisements, and greeting cards, medieval folklore has now been revisited in American culture. Krampus-related events and parades occur both in North America and Europe, and they are an ever-growing phenomenon.

Though the Krampus figure has once again become iconic, not much can be found about its history and meaning, thus calling for a book like Al Ridenour's The Krampus: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil. With Krampus's wild, graphic history, Feral House has hired the awarded designer Sean Tejaratchi to take on Ridenour's book…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

Jason Mankey Author Of Llewellyn's Little Book of Yule

From my list on Christmas and the Holiday Season.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I was four years old, I have been in love with Christmas! I’m the kind of person who starts humming carols in October and puts up their first decorations the moment Halloween ends. I’ve got a Christmas Sweater for every day and a card or a present for every friend I bump into. Without a doubt, the Holiday Season is the best time of the year!

Jason's book list on Christmas and the Holiday Season

Jason Mankey Why Jason loves this book

I grew up with this book and rereading Dickens’ most famous work always feels like curling up in a favorite blanket. When I find myself overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the season, the story of Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and Jacob Marley always reminds me of the true meaning of the holiday.

It’s probably cliché to say that I cry every year after reading it, but I do! I recommend the Penguin Classics edition of this festive tale because it includes some of Dickens’ other Christmas stories, which are worth reading, too! 

By Charles Dickens ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design.

After reading Christmas Carol, the notoriously reculsive Thomas Carlyle was "seized with a perfect convulsion of hospitality" and threw not one but two Christmas dinner parties. The impact of the story may not always have been so dramatic but, along with Dickens other Christmas writings, it has had a lasting and significant influence upon our ideas about the Christmas spirit, and about the season as a time for…


Book cover of Christmas: A Candid History

Jason Mankey Author Of Llewellyn's Little Book of Yule

From my list on Christmas and the Holiday Season.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I was four years old, I have been in love with Christmas! I’m the kind of person who starts humming carols in October and puts up their first decorations the moment Halloween ends. I’ve got a Christmas Sweater for every day and a card or a present for every friend I bump into. Without a doubt, the Holiday Season is the best time of the year!

Jason's book list on Christmas and the Holiday Season

Jason Mankey Why Jason loves this book

One of the things I love best about the Christmas season is how it’s a combination of many different things. Paganism, Christianity, and commerce have all contributed to Yuletide, resulting in a mishmash of traditions and customs.

I think holidays are stronger when they’ve been influenced by dozens of cultures. There’s room for everybody during the Holidays, and it’s always been that way. 

By Bruce David Forbes ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Written for everyone who loves and is simultaneously driven crazy by the holiday season, "Christmas: A Candid History" provides an enlightening, entertaining perspective on how the annual Yuletide celebration got to be what it is today. In a fascinating, concise tour through history, the book tells the story of Christmas - from its pre-Christian roots, through the birth of Jesus, to the holiday's spread across Europe into the Americas and beyond, and to its mind-boggling transformation through modern consumerism. Packed with intriguing stories, based on research into myriad sources, full of insights, the book explores the historical origins of traditions…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year

Jason Mankey Author Of Llewellyn's Little Book of Yule

From my list on Christmas and the Holiday Season.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since I was four years old, I have been in love with Christmas! I’m the kind of person who starts humming carols in October and puts up their first decorations the moment Halloween ends. I’ve got a Christmas Sweater for every day and a card or a present for every friend I bump into. Without a doubt, the Holiday Season is the best time of the year!

Jason's book list on Christmas and the Holiday Season

Jason Mankey Why Jason loves this book

Today, the Christmas season is a festival of sparkling lights and happy carols, but I love the dark side of the Holidays too...the long nights, the spirits of the dead, and the menagerie of folkloric characters who are just as likely to leave a Christmas trick as a Christmas treat.

I didn’t find anything in this book scary, but I did find myself looking over my shoulder a few times wondering if I had unwittingly invited a Christmas gnome or elf into my home. I also appreciated the crafts and activities included throughout the book by the author, making for the perfect mix of the practical and the historical. 

By Linda Raedisch ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Old Magic of Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Not so very long ago, Yuletide was as much a chilling season of ghosts and witches as it was a festival of goodwill. In The Old Magic of Christmas you'll find a Christmas bestiary and a White Witch's herbal, as well as tips for delving more deeply into your relationship with the unseen. Bring the festivities into your home with cookie recipes and ornament making while brushing elbows with veiled spirits and discovering the true perils of elves. Rife with the more frightful characters from folklore and the season's most petulant ghosts, this book takes you on a spooky sleigh…


Book cover of The Night Before Christmas

Susan Grossey Author Of The Man in the Canary Waistcoat

From my list on the 1820s (officially the best decade ever).

Why am I passionate about this?

If you ask people to name a book set in the Regency period, your money is safe if you bet on them picking a Jane Austen. But the Regency was about much more than manners and matrimony. In my own areas of interest – justice, money, and financial crime – everything was changing, with the widespread introduction of paper money and cheques, the recognition that those on trial should have a defence as well as a prosecution, and the creation of modern police in the form of the Metropolitan Police. Dickens made the Victorian era famous, but the decades before good Queen V ascended the throne are equally fascinating.

Susan's book list on the 1820s (officially the best decade ever)

Susan Grossey Why Susan loves this book

This poem was published anonymously in 1823. It’s such a Christmas staple that it’s hard to imagine how ground-breaking it was, but the simple plot – a family sleeps on Christmas Eve while the father hears a noise outside and sees Santa Claus in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer – was the first to set that quintessential Christmas scene. A friend of the author was charmed by the poem and sent it anonymously to a New York newspaper. The author finally owned up to it in 1837, confessing that as a Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature, he had been uneasy about being associated with “unscholarly verse” that he had written only to amuse his children. But this “unscholarly verse” made his name and charms us still.

By Clement C. Moore , Christine Brallier (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Night Before Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's late night visit has a man and his curious kitty investigating. Did you know that Santa can play the guitar? Well, he can! Each page is filled with thoughtful details, luscious color, and a joyful whimsy. Mosaic artist Christine Brallier has created fifteen stained glass mosaic illustrations in her unique rendition of the classic The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. Reading the book with her family nearly five years ago, Christine was inspired to create her own version of the story and to put her family and their cat in it.…


Book cover of American Christmas Stories

Rick Skwiot Author Of Christmas at Long Lake: A Childhood Memory

From my list on literary Christmas books.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a child, I was captivated by Christmas's traditions, rituals, meaning, and magic, which always signaled a time for introspection and hope. These books capture all of that. For me, the holiday is a time to pause and reflect, and revisiting these works helps remind me of what is important in life and where we should be pointed, where our humanity lies.

Rick's book list on literary Christmas books

Rick Skwiot Why Rick loves this book

I love this book because it compiles great Christmas stories by some of America’s finest writers, from Jack London and Edna Ferber to Katherine Anne Porter and John Updike.

I like the substantial emphasis on humor, with stories by Damon Runyon, Dorothy Parker, and Mark Twain, as well as the moving and thoughtful tales of American life the book contains. I like that it is thoroughly American, showing the country from the Wild West to New York and points in between, all landscapes, social classes, and cultures.

By Connie Willis (editor) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked American Christmas Stories as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

** A New York Times New and Noteworthy Book **

Library of America and Connie Willis present 150 years of diverse, ingenious, and uniquely American Christmas stories

Christmas took on its modern cast in America, and over the last 150 years the most magical time of the year has inspired scores of astonishingly diverse and ingenious stories. Library of America joins with acclaimed author Connie Willis to present a unparalleled collection of American stories about Christmas, literary gems that showcase how the holiday became one of the signature aspects of our culture.

Spanning from the origins of the American tradition…


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Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of 12 Disasters of Christmas

Cathy O'Bryan Author Of A Child of the Cold War: Code Name: Kitten

From my list on the Cold War, Nazi hunting, and growing up with spies.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a wife of 38 years, mother of two fine adults, teacher of 30 years in art, speech, theatre, art…well painter, and now author, I enjoy hearing about others' stories. Purely by accident, I wrote a small personal story and found that people wanted more… so I wrote more and shazam I had a book. My first book is about childhood experiences and growing up in my normal world. For me it was normal but the outsiders looking in today would see anything but normal. My parents’ careful actions sheltered my sister and me from the outside world's bad influences until things blew up. Then with care they showed us their world of Nazi hunting.

Cathy's book list on the Cold War, Nazi hunting, and growing up with spies

Cathy O'Bryan Why Cathy loves this book

It’s always good to have a book to read during the holidays about the holidays. This book does that and more. The main character Jane’s calamitous life feels like that never-ending Christmas song racing towards the new year. Jane is not sure she will make it in one piece. It is an easy read with lots of action and romance. Because it is divided into 12 crazy moments it is perfect to stop and start this book without having to back up and reread, you just read the next adventure.

By Robin B. Sweet ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 12 Disasters of Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On the first day of Christmas, her true life gave to Jane, an arm broken by a door...

With eleven more days until her evil stepsister's wedding, where the only thing uglier than the bridesmaids' dresses is the bride's personality, can Jane Smith go more than twenty-four hours without a disaster?

On the second day of Christmas, her true life gave to Jane, two killer dates...

Jane's calamitous life feels like that never-ending Christmas song, racing toward the new year like a gulf coast hurricane heading to Galveston.

On the third day of Christmas, her true life gave to Jane,…


Book cover of Christmas Past: A Selection from Victorian Magazines

Andi Brooks Author Of A Treasury of Christmas Stories: Classic Tales For The Festive Season

From my list on Christmas anthologies.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an Anglo-Irish writer and anthologist enjoying a life-long love affair with Christmas, which I have successfully transplanted to my home in Japan. I have edited three Christmas-themed anthologies, with many more to come. My own writing has been translated into French and Japanese. Determined to never grow up, in my sixtieth year, I still firmly believe in Father Christmas!

Andi's book list on Christmas anthologies

Andi Brooks Why Andi loves this book

I knew that I would love this book from the moment I first set eyes upon it. I like that the stories and illustrations have been reproduced exactly as they were originally published in the Victorian magazines.

This is a book which I always read alone and free of distractions so that I can not only lose myself in the stories, but also contemplate the messages they contain. Like our Victorian forebears l love the sentimental aspects of Christmas, and this anthology never fails to cause me to think back with a smile, and sometimes a tear, to Christmasses long ago with relatives and friends no longer with us.

By Dulcie M. Ashdown ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Christmas Past as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Victorian Christmas is everyone's ideal of what a Christmas ought to be; children enraptured before a candlelit tree, tables groaning under an abundance of turkey, goose and pudding, stories of ghosts and hobgoblins, carol singers, church bells ringing through the midnight air. It is only in the last hundred years or so that such Christmas feasts and entertainments have been shared by the majority, rather than by the privileged few.

In Victorian times, 'Christmas as at Windsor' became the established order, for it was the festivities of the Royal Family that people took as their model. The popular Press…


Book cover of The Geek Who Saved Christmas

LaQuette Author Of Vanessa Jared's Got a Man

From my list on rom-coms with diverse characters living their best lives.

Why am I passionate about this?

I write sexy, stylish, and sensational romance. That means I write sentimental and steamy stories (like Hallmark movies, but with a lot of sex) featuring at least one main character who always keeps it cute. I’m a Brooklyn native who writes unapologetically bold, character-driven stories. My novels feature diverse ensemble casts who are confident in their right to appear on the page. My work has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, O-Magazine, and the Library Journal. If I’m not writing, I am probably trying on or looking for my next great makeup find.

LaQuette's book list on rom-coms with diverse characters living their best lives

LaQuette Why LaQuette loves this book

Gideon Holiday loves Christmas. He’s literally dripping with holiday cheer. Unfortunately, his grumpy next-door neighbor, Paul, the man Gideon is crushing on something fierce, hasn’t a drop of appreciation for the holiday or the accompanying festivities. That holds true until Paul finds out the younger brother he raised plans to visit for the holidays. Just like when they were kids, Paul seeks to give his brother a joyous holiday to make up for the tough times they had when his brother was a kid. But since he knows nothing about getting into the holiday spirit, he’ll need Gideon’s fabulous Christmas powers to make this the best holiday his younger brother has ever had.

This story is filled with humor and heat. While Gideon is teaching Paul how to loosen up and join in on the neighborhood holiday fun, Paul also teaches Gideon that he doesn’t have to be lonely. It’s…

By Annabeth Albert ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Geek Who Saved Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

His grumpy neighbor needs some holiday sunshine…Gideon Holiday is the perfect neighbor. Need a cup of sugar? Spare folding chair? Extra batteries? He’s always ready to help. And he’s waited years for his hot, grumpy, silver fox neighbor, Paul, to need him. For anything. But this December, Gideon would be happy if he could just get the Scrooge-like Paul on board with the neighborhood holiday lights fundraiser.

Paul Frost has no intention of decking his halls or blazing any Yule logs. Even if his spunky bowtie-clad neighbor does look perfect for unwrapping, Paul would prefer to hide away until December…


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Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of The Christmas Wish

Sonja Anderson Author Of A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse

From my list on Scandinavian Christmas picture books.

Why am I passionate about this?

Scandinavian Christmas traditions and stories have been at the heart of my family’s celebrations for generations, from the pepparkakor (ginger cookie) recipe shared by my grandmother to the tradition of Santa Lucia, which my mother especially loved. As a parent, the traditions continued, especially as we raised our daughters in a church that celebrated Santa Lucia as a treasured part of Advent each year! As an educator, librarian, and picture book author, I value the way that picture books help me communicate and share special places, traditions, and values with the next generation, things that I’ve tried to share through my own Swedish Christmas picture book.

Sonja's book list on Scandinavian Christmas picture books

Sonja Anderson Why Sonja loves this book

The enchanting photographs follow a Scandinavian-looking little girl as she acts on her greatest wish of adventuring north to join Santa’s elves.

A different animal guides her on each leg of the journey. Normally, I don’t much care for stories of small children who are left alone in the care of animal companions (remember Good Dog, Carl?), but what child wouldn’t want to imagine themselves ultimately flying with a reindeer or guiding Santa’s sleigh?

The ending leaves you wondering if it was just a dream after all, with the main character safe in her own bed. The pictures capture the Nordic spirit of the book, combining Scandinavian style with an America-style Santa Claus, and I really like the way that the photographs and simple charm set this book apart.

By Lori Evert , Per Breiehagen (photographer) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Christmas Wish as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Celebrate the season with this New York Times bestselling wintry tale that will have readers of all ages believing in the magic of Christmas. This is one to pull out every year and savor all winter long!

In the merry tradition of classics like The Polar Express, this special picture book captures the holiday spirit. This is a timeless classic one to reread every year and savor all winter long!

Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa's elves.So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the…


Book cover of The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil
Book cover of A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings
Book cover of Christmas: A Candid History

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Interested in Christmas, the Puritans, and consumerism?

Christmas 283 books
The Puritans 39 books
Consumerism 35 books