Happy December! I am so excited to be a part of the 12 Bookish Days of Christmas Blog Hop hosted by YA Sci-Fi & Fantasy Addicts. Each post has a fun bookish freebie and a chance to win our mega giveaway! So, be sure to scroll down. This post features some of my favorite and most anticipated YA Christmas books.
Day 1 - YA Christmas Reads + Sweets
Day 2 - Gift Ideas for Friends who Read
Day 3 - Found Family Trope Reads
Day 7 – A Christmas Playlist to Read To
Day 7 Bonus - Christmas Traditions + Favorite Holiday Reads
Day 8 - Tamales and Books!
Day 10 - Derby Pie and Fond Memories
Day 11 - Mistletoe Myths & Stories
Day 12 Bonus - Tea Pairings & Winter-Themed Books
Wrap-Up - All the Stocking Stuffers + Big Giveaway
Favorite Christmas Reads + Sweets
When it's cold and dark outside and the only warmth comes from the hearth or the twinkle of Christmas lights, I know it's time to break out my favorite Christmas reads. Most of these are YA. All are young adult friendly. Each one also includes a sweet tie-in. Scroll to the end of the post to grab my freebie and enter the HUGE giveaway.
This is one of my absolute favorites and a classic that children and adults can both enjoy!
She's making list. Checking it twice...
🗹 Perpetual Winter Wonderland
🗹 Evil Witch who Gives Sleigh Rides & Candy to Children 🗹 Christian Allegory
🗹 Goodness Overcoming Evil
🗹 Christmas Gifts
Sweet Tie-In
You're going to need something sweet to snack on while you read, right? For The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, choosing the sweet treat was NO CONTEST. Edmund loved this delicious, gelatinous treat-- Turkish Delight! Click on either of the images below to buy on Amazon.
Just like Ebenezer Scrooge, selfish teen Holly was visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. They urged her to change her ways. Unlike Scrooge, she refused to do so. Years later, she's dead and stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge—as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.
She's making list. Checking it twice...
🗹 Christmas Carol Retelling
🗹 Second Chances & Redemption
🗹 New York City Christmas Setting
Sweet Tie-In:
My original thought was to go OG A Christmas Carol fare for this one. Then, I realized Christmas Pudding appears to be what we Americans would call fruit cake--the most loathsome of desserts. So, in clear defiance of such an unnaturally chewy abomination, I've found some Bones Coffee and Biscotti. The coffee is perfect because our MC is dead but still Christmasy, just like the mascot for Bones Coffee.
Book two of this series was just released, so if you're looking for a new series, this one is a great option!
The Winter Souls Series blends action and warm Christmas traditions, bringing the old forgotten tales of the season to life with new and grittier versions of famous characters out of old holiday legends, folklore, and myths.
She's making list. Checking it twice...
🗹 Magical Winter World
🗹 Christian Symbolism
🗹 Perfect for Fans of The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe
Sweet Tie-In:
In the story, Helen receives some amazing hot chocolate from dwarves! The author really set the mood because numerous reviewers mention it lol My mom is crazy for hot chocolate bombs. If you've never had one, they are so fun. All you have to do is pour warm milk (any type) over top, and the chocolate melts down and little marshmallows pop out. It's a snack-tivity! If you prefer something lush and classic, you can't go wrong with the Godiva sampler on the right.
I haven't actually read this one yet, but it's on my TBR!! I love the ballet and the Nutcracker in particular. Add in an extra dash of magic and this gorgeous cover, and I'm sold.
She's making list. Checking it twice...
🗹 Nutcracker Retelling
🗹 Mysterious Toymaker
🗹 Forced to Join "Society" and Wed with a Holiday Deadline
🗹 A Frozen Sugar Palace
Sweet Treat Tie-In
Okay. Okay. This tea isn't technically sweet, but if you had a spoonful of sugar (or honey), it is! And it's super Nutcracker and sweet themed. Walkers are AMAZING and famous for their shortbread, and in the book, the houses are made of gingerbread and confections!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated Edition
You didn't really think I would leave Harry Potter off the list, did you? The Christmas and winter scenes in this series are so luscious, I had to include them! But even if you've already read the original a thousand times, you may be interested in this beautiful illustrated hardcover OR the *animated* illustrated version on Kindle. Click the book image to see for yourself.
She's making list. Checking it twice...
🗹 Spectacular Magical Christmas Feast
🗹 Goodness Overcoming Evil
🗹 Christmas Gifts & Stockings
🗹 Found Family that Will Make Your Heart Grow 3x Large
Honorable Mention to Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows for this sad Christmas feels moment.
The scene in the GIF takes places on Christmas Eve in the graveyard where Harry's parents are buried. Hermione conjures a wreath of white roses and lays it on the grave. (I'm not crying. You're crying.) I also think this is the origin point of many a Harry/Hermione shipper.
Sweet Treat Tie-In
Honestly, I could barely pick! There are so many amazing candies and treats in this series. I decided to go with a few pre-made options that require no baking, but if you're up for a bit more work, google "butterbeer cake recipe." They look amazing.
Looking for more winter reads?
Read Seven Crowns. It's not a Christmas read, but it does have winter scenes!
She's making list. Checking it twice...
🗹 Spectacular Winter Ball with Gowns
🗹 Healing Old Family Wounds
🗹 Snowball Fight & Ice Skating
🗹 New Years Scene
Start Reading Today on:
Stocking Stuffer
Ho! Ho! Ho! Here's a stocking stuffer for you! I have five freebies for you to choose from: 37 (a gripping fantasy flash fiction piece), The Matchmaker & the Coven (a younger YA fantasy novelette), a sample of Seven Crowns (the first in a YA series), 100 Awesome Story Prompts, and a guide for growing your newsletter.
Mega Giveaway
Santa is really coming through for someone this year. Click here for a chance to win our mega bookish giveaway with over $700 worth of YA books and merch!
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