Page 2 | Literary/well written fiction with a Christmas/winter theme

CassandraWebb · 2025-11-17T13:51:40+00:00

I 'd really welcome suggestions, partly for me. Partly for gifts for family. Nothing too dark/traumatic as Christmas is a tricky time for me for various reasons but I would also like some really well written /thoughtful books that make me feel festive

weegiemum · 17/11/2025 22:07

The Winter Book by Tove Jansson.

Moominland Midwinter (children’s book but incredibly atmospheric) by the same author.

Original poster

CassandraWebb · 17/11/2025 22:02

strictlynopolitics · 17/11/2025 13:57

I would suggest Small Things Like These but it is a bit dark.

I nearly went and ordered this then read the description and realised I read it a couple of years ago. It's a brilliant book though. So moving.

OP posts:

Original poster

CassandraWebb · 17/11/2025 21:59

StrangewaysHereWeCome · 17/11/2025 21:11

Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford

I really enjoyed this

OP posts:

Original poster

CassandraWebb · 17/11/2025 21:59

JustOneMoreChapter · 17/11/2025 21:54

Earlier on today I came across this collection: Christmas at Thompson Hall: And Other Christmas Stories (Penguin Christmas Classics) by Anthony Trollope. I haven't read it but it contains five seasonal stories and looks promising.

If you read Arthur Ransome's children's books as a child and fancy a bit of cosy nostalgia, there's his book Winter Holiday. It doesn't feature Christmas itself but is set during those holidays and is very, very snowy. (You don't have to have read any of the other books first.)

Oh these both sound fabulous!

OP posts:

JustOneMoreChapter · 17/11/2025 21:54

Earlier on today I came across this collection: Christmas at Thompson Hall: And Other Christmas Stories (Penguin Christmas Classics) by Anthony Trollope. I haven't read it but it contains five seasonal stories and looks promising.

If you read Arthur Ransome's children's books as a child and fancy a bit of cosy nostalgia, there's his book Winter Holiday. It doesn't feature Christmas itself but is set during those holidays and is very, very snowy. (You don't have to have read any of the other books first.)

NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoByAgain · 17/11/2025 21:17

Time of the child, Niall Williams.

probably one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read

Hedjwitch · 17/11/2025 21:14

A Child's Christmas in Wales, Dylan Thomas.

StrangewaysHereWeCome · 17/11/2025 21:11

Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford

Butteredtoast55 · 17/11/2025 21:10

I'd recommend Jeanette Winterson's short stories, I think it's called Christmas Days.

GettingFestiveNow · 17/11/2025 18:16

Ooh, and How To Winter by Kari Leibowitz is about the psychology of having a good time in the winter, engagingly written and inspired me to buy some fairy lights and a sunrise alarm clock and to go swimming.

GettingFestiveNow · 17/11/2025 18:13

If you can find it, The Country Child by Alison Uttley is her memoir of growing up on a farm in the late 19th century. Beautifully written, it covers a whole year and the Christmas bit is just fab. (Also I dunno how much you're looking to spend but there's a Folio Society edition on eBay atm)

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper is a fantasy novel written - brilliantly - for older children/YA (I read it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a MA in Eng Lit). Themes of the battle between good and evil, amazing Christmassy descriptions.

Wintry theme:

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Higher-brow non-fiction:

Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez

Original poster

CassandraWebb · 17/11/2025 17:59

Forgot I started this! Thank you, I enjoyed Wintering and there's some good suggestions on here I haven't come across before (or had forgotten I had on my "to read" list!)

OP posts:

Sheeppig · 17/11/2025 17:21

Andrew Miller's the Land in Winter. It definitely counts as a literary read but isn't especially upbeat. Beautifully written though.
Wintering by Katherine May is more non-fiction but a lovely uplifting read that makes you appreciate the beauty of winter.
I love a "cosy crime" book on winter nights. 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' by the Queen of Crime herself, might be a good choice.

GrumpySparkler · 17/11/2025 14:42

The Secret Christmas by Anna Abney. About a family celebrating Christmas when it was banned under Cromwell rule. Really lovely book and short.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes-Chapman. I haven't read this yet, but I have it ready for the festive season. From the blurb I've gathered that it's the story of 12 people from the same village in the lead up to the Viscounts Christmas ball, set after the Napoleonic wars.

akkakk · 17/11/2025 14:09

Rosamund Pilcher Winter Solstice might work well

strictlynopolitics · 17/11/2025 13:57

I would suggest Small Things Like These but it is a bit dark.