28 Festive Reads & Bookmarks! 🎀🎄📖
Day 1: 12 Days of Stackmas
Happy December 1st and Welcome to Stackmas! For the next 12 days, I’ll be jingling into your inbox with all things festive, cozy, and fun. Expect book lists, holiday tunes, movies, recipes, simple joys, and more. Together, we’ll be (metaphorically) dashing through the snow.
To kick off Stackmas, I’ve got 28 festive reads for adults (children’s recommendations coming later this week). Time to stack up those library holds, text your besties to borrow a copy, or head to your favorite local bookstore for a new book treat.
As a special gift for paid subscribers, I’ve created a set of five hand-drawn bookmarks just for you! These will also be part of the virtual craft night on December 12th, where I’ll show you how to jazz them up with beads and tassels—a perfect companion to your holiday reading or as a gift for teachers, besties, fitness instructors, whoever you wish! Plus, I’ll walk you through how I make my annual book ornament, complete with an easy template and my top tips. Grab your printable and list of optional supplies at the end of this post. I’m so grateful for your support— it allows me to continue to create and share in this space. I hope you love these bookmarks as much as I do.
‘Tis the season to curl up by the fire with a freshly baked treat and a steaming mug of cocoa (or coffee, or tea!). Let the twinkling tree lights set the scene as you dive into these festive stories. Half of this list includes books I’ve read, and the other half are books on my ambitious TBR. I’d love to hear in the comments if we share any favorites—or let me know your favorite holiday read.
So, fill a mug with something toasty, and let’s fa la la la forget about our responsibilities and spend the holidays reading all the way.
Flight by Lynn Steger Strong: Three siblings, and their families, gather for their first Christmas without their mother, full of tender and raw family dynamics.
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote: A nostalgic tale about love and friendship that will have you craving a comforting slice of fruitcake.
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren: A Groundhog Day-style holiday romance set in a cozy Utah cabin.
The 12 Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss: A delightful romp through 12 blind dates in a quaint English town.
Landline by Rainbow Rowel: Georgie’s marriage is on the rocks when she discovers a phone that connects her to her husband—back in the past.
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox: Twin sisters swap lives—one a small-town baker, the other a reality baking show star, what could go wrong?
Kiss Her Once for Me by Allison Cochrun: A snow coated story of fake engagements and second chances in Portland.
All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox: For American Idol fans, this enemies-to-lovers holiday romance follows two rival singers forced to perform as a duo on the Starmaker holiday special.
Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale: Determined to put her small hometown back on the map, Elisha enlists the help of the great-nephew who just inherited the iconic Sleighbells house.
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory: Vivian unexpectedly finds romance with Malcolm amid cozy English countryside settings and festive treats in this mid-life love story.
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss: In a picturesque seaside town, Annie seeks a fresh start after ending her 26-year marriage.
Season of Love by Helena Greer: Miriam inherits her great-aunt’s Christmas tree farm in upstate New York and must face a past she tried to forget.
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone: An adult film star accidentally lands a lead role in a family-friendly Christmas movie, only to fall for her co-star—a former bad-boy pop star.
Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes: Escape to a snowy Vermont town where maple syrup pancakes and gondola rides set the scene for a cozy holiday romance filled with small-town charm.
The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan: Three lifelong friends gather for a book club holiday at the Maple Sugar Inn, where their lives intertwine with a young widowed mom.
Baking Spirits Bright by Sarah Fox: In the snowy town of Larch Haven, Vermont, the holiday baking competition turns deadly when one contestant is found dead.
I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone: A delightful Christmas house-swap rom-com, perfect for fans of The Holiday.
Brightly Shining by Ingvild Rishøi: Told from the perspective of 10-year-old Ronja, this tender and poignant story explores addiction, kindness, and hope in the face of hardship.
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh: Two longtime travel buddies must navigate snowstorms and unexpected feelings as they race to Ireland for Christmas. Will their friends-to-lovers chemistry finally ignite?
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver: Winter magic meets the allure of New York City paired with a story of love and loss.
Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss: A city bookshop owner heads to the English countryside for a holiday reunion, only to be thrown together with her childhood rival.
Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert: Astra shows Jack the life he’s been missing out on beyond the glistening holiday market that magically leaps from one December to the next every four weeks.
One Last Gift by Emily Stone: A final gift from her late brother leads Cassie on a journey of healing, love, and self-discovery.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison: Two best friends fake date to save a beloved Christmas tree farm.
Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss: A single mom reluctantly directs the Winter Theater’s final Christmas show, all while navigating the fallout of an awkward one-night stand.
All I Want is You by Fallon Ballard: Two former lovers turned rival authors are forced to co-write a holiday romance.
Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark: Three adult siblings, each at a personal and romantic crossroads, reunite at their mother’s Catskills manor for Christmas.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter: Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance mystery set at a snowy English estate.
