> Skip to content

Article  •  17 November 2021

 

5 Christmas tales to get you in a festive mood

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...

More features

See all
Article
Sofie Laguna on the voice that led her to The Underworld

A furious, brilliant woman stepped from the pages of a notebook – and inspired Laguna’s new novel, The Underworld.

Article
QUIZ: Which character are you from What Have They Done to Liza McLean?

Take this quiz to find out whether you're a Meg, Liza or Benny – the key characters from the new YA psychological thriller.

Article
ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of the 21st century

Check out the Penguin Random House titles that made the cut for ABC Radio National's 'Top 100 Books of the 21st century' list, as voted by over 280,000 readers.

Article
The Jack Reacher books in order

Want to read the Reacher series but not sure where to start? This guide will tell you how to read the Jack Reacher books in order, so you can start with book one and work your way through all thirty!

Article
A useful guide to the Jack Reacher books

Everything you need to know about the Jack Reacher books. Learn about Lee and Andrew Child, figure out which order to read them and quiz your Reacher knowledge.

Article
Booker Prize shortlist 2025

The shortlist for the 2025 Booker Prize has been announced, with four Penguin Random House titles named this year.

Article
QUIZ: What kind of mullet are you?

Take this quiz to find out what type of mullet you are, in honour of Nick Sharratt’s book, Mullets.

Article
Your guide to Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series

Here’s what you need to know about Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series – including which order to read the books!

Article
10 of the best fantasy books you don't want to miss

Check out some of the best fantasy books with unique magic systems.

Article
Books we’d recommend to Conrad Fisher

8 books Conrad Fisher would love (or learn from).

Article
10 black cat boyfriends from must-read books

It’s official: the internet has dubbed Conrad Fisher a ‘black cat boyfriend’. Here are a few other black cat book boyfriends to keep you swooning.

Article
Penguin Fantasy Fest 2025 – a magical four-state adventure!

Four states, four sold out crowds, seven authors and over 850 fans made for an incredible two weeks that we will never forget!

Looking for more articles?

See all articles