I love many things about this time of year. All the upcoming holidays, festive fun, more family time, and planning for the next year to come. The past few years have seen a new addition to my late year enjoyment, and that is reading holiday themed books for festive vibes.
I love how they can transport you into another world if you need to escape, get you excited for changes you’ll be making in the new year, and just the overall cozy feeling of curling up with a great book. If you are ready to add some holiday reads to your to-be-read list, this post is for you.
The Best Books To Read If You Want Festive Vibes
While I love all the holiday-themed books, this list will be much more than that. I’ll also be including books that feature found family that symbolizes those bonds and memories made during the holidays, and books about fresh starts for those ready for 2026. Let’s dig into the recommendations.
1) If You Are Craving The Found Family Vibes
Families come in all shapes and sizes, those we choose and those that we are born into. During the time where people are posting about families a lot, don’t get down if your family situation doesn’t look like theirs. That’s why I love the found family trope so much.
These stories remind you that those that choose you can be just as important as your actual family. Sometimes it’s the family you create that means the most. These stories will tug at your heart and get you ready to host a Friendsgiving, or another type of gathering with your loved ones.
The Runaways by Devney Perry
This is a collection of interconnected romance novellas. The Runaways follows a group of six runaways that find a home with each other in a California junkyard. Fast forward to the present day and they all have found a life outside of their upbringing. Their stories link together again in such a beautiful way. I flew through this series when I read it a few years ago and think about it often.
The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan
The Book Club Hotel is a great read if you are looking for themes of friendship, self-discovery, and family. It’s about a group of friends reuniting for their book club getaway, and the owner of the inn that the group stays at. Each lady in the group is going through a lot in life, but this trip may just help them all. So gather in close with your favorite steaming drink for this amazing festive vibe book.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
While Happy Place takes place in the summer, I think the sweet found family aspect makes it deserve a spot on this list. This is one of my favorite Emily Henry books. The premise follows a group of old college friends that vacation every year together.
In this group are two people that are a married couple, at least they used to be. It’s the first trip back since their divorce and the female main character gets blindsided because she didn’t know her ex-husband would be joining. What follows is a week of fun and heart-to-hearts that will make it a trip to remember.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
In The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches we find a lonely witch that is sought out to help a group of young witches learn how to control their magic. As she starts to be comfortable in this new life she’s found, danger comes around that threatens everything. This is a great book to read if you are not quite ready to leave the spooky season, but want something cozy to read.
The House In The Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Our last found family book recommendation is the fantasy The House In The Cerulean Sea. It centers around six magical children at an orphanage, their master, and the social worker that is tasked with determining if these children will bring on the end of the world. It definitely sounds intriguing and I can’t wait to read it.
2) We Wish You A Festive TBR
The following books are ones you can count on for all the holiday cheer, heartfelt sentiments, fun, lighthearted moments, and even cozy romances. Think of those cheesy Hallmark holiday movies, with an occasional dash of spice. If that all sounds up your alley, keep reading about these wonderful books for all the festive vibes.
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
This is the first Christmas book I’ve read that I’ve considered re-reading, even after the holidays. It was cute, cheesy, funny, and definitely spicy. How My Neighbor Stole Christmas is a long book, but so worth it.
If you loved the Grinch story as a kid you’ll love this grown-up version that you find in this book. The sequel to this book, Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal, comes out this year and I can’t wait to read it!
Christmas At Fireside Cabins by Jenny Hale
Christmas At Fireside Cabins is the perfect book to escape in during the holiday season. Much like the main character in the book is escaping her lonely life in Nashville for some Christmas cheer.
Follow her adventures in the small town of Pinewood Hills by picking up this book. It’s got the Christmas magic, drama, and a little mystery. What more could you want from a Christmas romance?
The Most Wonderful Crime of The Year by Ally Carter
If you like your Christmas romances with some mystery and humor, you’ll also love The Most Wonderful Crime of The Year. In this book you’ll follow two writers, who hate each other by the way, as they work together in a snowed in mansion belonging to a woman that has disappeared from a locked room. This plot sounds intriguing and I can’t wait to read this festive vibe book this year.
Under The Mistletoe Collection by: Various Authors
This collection of holiday novellas are written by a variety of different authors and offer plenty of fun holiday romance. If you like spicy romances this collection is perfect. You’ll read stories about a single mother, former childhood friends, a firefighter, and more. Get comfy in your favorite festive loungewear and grab the Under The Mistletoe collection today.
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
In The Christmas Appeal we have a holiday who-done-it on our hands. It follows a cast of characters rehearsing their holiday production when a body turns up onstage. With the help of two lawyers, and the evidence they collect, we’ll find out who ruined the holiday cheer.
3) Next Year Looks So Good On You
The final section is going to be a mix of festive vibe books, but they all have one thing in common: new beginnings. Whether it’s a self-help book about resetting your habits in the new year, a romance about a couple that met on New Year’s Eve, or a book where the main character re-discovers themselves, you’ll find it here.
Your Big Leap Year by Gay Hendricks
If you are ready to make some changes to your life in the new year you’ll want to pick up Your Big Leap Year. Since the book is broken down into small, daily steps you can use it as a guide throughout the whole year. This is a companion book to the author’s previous book, The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level, which sold over 350,000 copies.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
Minnie is unlucky in life. This fate has followed her since she was born on New Year’s Day in 1990. All because a baby that was also born during that time got the name she was supposed to have and the cash prize for being the first baby born in the New Year. On their thirtieth birthday they finally meet. See what happens when you pick up This Time Next Year.
Atomic Habits
Your habits can make, or break, your journey to bettering yourself. In Atomic Habits you’ll get a deep dive into how to make your habits last. The system the author shares with you will help you build better habits and break the ones that are not serving you. This is a great book to read as you consider what you want to focus on in the new year.
New York, New Year, New You by Rachael Bloome
If you are guilty of quitting your New Year’s Resolutions you may relate to the main character in New York, New Year, New You. This book follows her move to New York City where she decides to finally follow through on a decade’s worth of resolutions. The premise of this festive vibe book sounds so fun! I’ll definitely be reading this around New Year’s Eve this year. It’s described as a feel-good book with shenanigans, and self-discovery. That sounds like a great read to me.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
The last book on the list is for thriller lovers. In The Hunting Party a group of thirtysomething friends reunite for their annual New Year’s trip. There is a lot of tension and secret resentments bubbling up to the surface though. To make matters worse the crew gets snowed in, then one of them is found dead a few days later. Grab this book to find out which one of them did it.
And That’s a Wrap on Great Books for Festive Vibes
What books will you be reading this holiday season? If there are some I am missing let me know in the comments. I want to add them to my to-be-read list.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com