Make the lead-up to the holidays magical with these merry reads.
Some people have must-watch movies around November and December, you know the ones... Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, and The Grinch. We're bookworms through and through, and happily turn to paperbacks to get us in the mood for all that shopping, wrapping, decorating and baking! Read on for five of our favourites to dial up the Christmas spirit, featuring some much-loved classics and new releases.

A Christmas Carol
It doesn't get much more Christmassy than one of Charles Dickens' most loved books. Follow the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean, miserable, bitter old man with no friends. One cold Christmas Eve, three ghosts take him on a scary journey to show him the error of his nasty ways. By visiting his past, present and future, Scrooge learns to love Christmas and the people all around him.

Bluey: Christmas Swim
A new Bluey book, just in time for the school holidays! This one is sure to be a hit with the kids as it captures the uniqueness of a hot Australian Christmas Day. The weather is perfect for a family swim! Bartlebee is Bluey's new toy – how will he cope with his first Heeler Christmas?

Christmas Shopaholic
Christmas and shopping go hand in hand, so it was only a matter of time before Sophie Kinsella set a book in the popular Shopaholic series around the holidays. Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) adores Christmas. But this year looks set to be different. Unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocado, Becky's parents are moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch and have asked Becky if she'll host Christmas this year. What could possibly go wrong?

The Night Before Christmas
Start a new tradition and read this one as a family on Christmas Eve to set the scene for the big day. The quintessential holiday poem tells the tale of Christmas’s most anticipated visitor, complete with dashing reindeer and gleaming presents. Jan Brett expands on the magical spirit of the classic poem in her beautiful imagining of the iconic story of Santa’s visit. It's perfect for reading aloud.

Baby It's Cold Outside
If you need a heartwarming and uplifting love story around this time of year then look no further. Ten years ago Norah and Andrew promised to meet on Christmas Eve if they're still single. Now the time has come, but will Andrew be waiting there for her? It wouldn't be Christmas without a few surprises...