Books to Get You Through the Holidays

Say less, we got you!

Alright so I’ll say it. The holidays can be…exhausting. Regardless of your relationship status or family dynamic, there are so many pitfalls, opportunities for misunderstandings or disagreements, hurt feelings, and, worst of all, gross food.

Even though I love the holidays, family and emotions can be tough.

& this is already shaping up to be a challenging season.

Are you struggling to find your joy this year, consider one of these uplifting titles to give you a good emotional wave to ride through the new year. Reminder that your reading doesn’t have to be holiday themed, lift your spirits and celebrate with whatever kind of book vibe feels right for you!

If you plan to stay in a cozy core-only space, browse this list for books to get you through the holidays!

Look for a Laugh!

The Encyclopedia of Ugly Fashion: A Hilarious Introspective of History’s Best Worst Fashion Trends by Karolina Żebrowska

I have now flipped through Karolina Zebrowska’s The Encyclopedia of Ugly Fashion: A Hilarious Introspective of History’s Best Worst Fashion Trends at least three times, and I find something new and notable every time. A look back at some of the most unique fashion trends since the 16th century, this book is basically a catalog of insane torture devices for women to belt, strap, tie, or otherwise attach to their bodies that made it difficult to walk at times, let alone dance, walk…or eat. Don’t miss this if you are a lover of fashion history or a history buff in general, or if you miss the look of the bullet bra.

Make a plan!

The Essentials: The Art of Interior Design: A Guide to Furnishing, Decorating, and Styling Your Home by Caitlin Flemming – Julie Goebel

Some folks use the holiday break as a time to do small jobs or chores around the house. But if you are looking for a bigger change, The Essentials: The Art of Interior Design will inspire you to make your living space a refuge that reflects exactly who you are. Interior designer Caitlin Flemming and her co-author, Julie Goebel, walk readers through the essentials of picking a paint color, how to mix and match patterns and colors, how to hang a showpiece picture or work of art, and much more to walk you through the “rules” of interior design. This is a compilation of the most common questions asked of interior designers, full of practical advice and tips for living spaces of all sizes. Plan a small project or two over your break and start the new year with a fresh vibe.

Celebrate the season!

Yours for the Season by Emily Stone

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the absolute wealth of romantic seasonal reads that tend to pop up this time of year. I have two favorites this time around! Yours for the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin, is a Mindy’s Book Studio pick and includes an intro from Mindy Kaling herself. Family estrangement, fake romance, work burnout, unfulfilling careers – this one has it all, with a healthy dose of holiday magic. Oh, and samosas!

The third book in Alina Jacobs’ The Wynter Brothers series might be my favorite read in this round up. In Elf on the Edge, Misty watches the love of her life stand up on Christmas Eve to say his vows and declare his undying love. To her nasty stepsister. Now the two traitors are engaged, Misty is publicly humiliated, and she does what any self-respecting, recently dumped woman would do; she maxes out her credit cards and hires a high-end escort to keep her occupied while her ex-fiancé and her evil stepsister plan their own engagement party.

Turns out she hired a hit man instead. And there is a no-refund policy in effect.

This is such a fun read, this little passage is sure to draw you right in:

“I realize I’m screwed when Talbot Wynter crashes the party all combat boots, dirty jeans, and washboard abs. He feels me up, drinks all the booze, flirts with my grandmother, then tries to off my cheating ex in his hotel room.”

Don’t miss this one if you are looking for some holiday humor!

Lose yourself!

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

If you Frederik Backman fans thought that A Man Called Ove couldn’t possibly be beat, I present My Friends. Four teenagers, all with problems of their own, create a bond so powerful over the course of one summer that it turns a stranger’s life upside down nearly three decades later.

Out of that glorious, painful summer comes a painting, a work of art so transcendent that 18-year-old Louisa, who has never heard of any of these four teenagers, has no idea what to do with it when it comes into her possession years later. This is a glorious look at the power of art…and friendship.

Plus you know it’s good when it’s got this kind of praise: A Most Anticipated Book of 2025: Goodreads – USA TODAY – Marie Claire – BookPage – Literary Lifestyle – Book Riot – Sunset Magazine – Totally Booked with Zibby Owens * A Fallon Book Club Pick

Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay by Tracy Dobmeier – Wendy Katzman

Thea Packer is convinced that her written words create the realities they reflect. Four years after her husband dies in a tragic accident that mirrors a fatal plotline in one of her novels, Thea still has not written a word for fear of what could happen next. Until inspiration strikes and she decides to write something that might just benefit her. Her new book is about a long-lost astronaut, and guess who just happens to waltz into Thea’s real life? Her mother-in-law fears that Thea is having a breakdown, but she is convinced that she has everything under control. It’s time to tackle her grief head-on for the first time. Fall into Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay by Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman. You’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.

Falling Apart and Other Gifts from the Universe by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Every time a new book from Catherine Ryan Hyde pops up, I celebrate! It is hard to beat the raw emotion and painful lessons of Pay It Forward but Falling Apart and Other Gifts from the Universe is a very close second and an incredible emotional journey.

Addie is an army vet, a former beat cop, and a current security guard. She looks tough, but inside, she is falling apart. She’s lonely, depressed, struggling through AA’s Twelve Steps, and is estranged from her only son. Luckily, Addie maintains her soft spot for underdogs, and Jonathan is about to change her life.

The homeless teenager has been abandoned by his mother, left to deal with predators and the elements on his own. Addie offers him a refuge in her garden shed. And the two form a surrogate grandparent-grandchild bond as strong as only our relationships with found family can be.

Jonathan and Addie share an emotional connection that eventually becomes a lifeline for both of them. Can a stranger really turn out to be a lifeline?

This holiday season, lose yourself in a small town. Learn how to create a space for yourself and your feelings. Whatever you need to escape. May you receive many bookish gifts this year!

(P.S. if these books to get you through the holidays, take a look at this list of books. These are guaranteed to make you happy!)