Christmas Book Picks 2022

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews, which you’ll find in the posts I’ve linked to.

The most wonderful time of the year has begun on my blog! I always share my Christmas Book Picks in early November in case any of my blog readers would like to read a title or two from the list during the holiday season. I very much hope you will! You’ll find them listed in the order I read them.

To the authors of my Christmas Picks, if you’d like a medal for making the list, see the bottom of this post.

Theft of the Magi
Miranda Atchley
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Christian Historical Mystery

December 1922. A lady private eye. And missing gifts.
Because I read this Fiona Clery Mystery novella right after last year’s Christmas Book Picks, I had to wait a year to share it on this list. The wait is over! In keeping with the books before this one, the story not only deals with Fiona’s investigation but also with themes of immigration, prejudice, friendship, family, and a little romance—but in wonderfully Christmassy fashion. It’s also worth it if you’d like to start with the previous two mysteries in the series.

And Both Were Young
Madeleine L’Engle
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Classic Young Adult Fiction

She’s a shy teenaged artist who meets a French guy by chance…
Although this isn’t exactly a Christmas novel, it’s got a lot of winter going for it, including a wonderful Yuletide. I’ve been so drawn by this rather peculiar story every time I’ve read it since I was twelve because of the heroine: a different, sensitive, creative girl. Someone who has to try all the harder to make it in a social environment with her classmates. So her every triumph in school—whether major or minor—is that much sweeter. It’s uplifting to watch her learn, grow, and experience young love.

Voices of Christmas
Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by Eric Velásquez
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Biblical Fiction Picture Book

Mary’s wonder. Joseph’s anxiety. And a collection of voices.
What a beautiful storybook this is! Rather than a play-by-play account of the Nativity, it’s a collection of images and voices: brief glimpses into several different people’s perspectives. The pages hold golden text and emotional artwork with the quality of sand, shadows, and light. An ethereal book made for a thoughtful and joyful kind of story time.

A Groom for Altar
Parker J. Cole
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Christian Historical Romance

A pregnant widow and a former steel driver have a major decision to make.
Here’s another book that isn’t exactly a holiday story, but its inclusion of Christmas and New Year’s Eve—plus that pretty, wintry book cover with its soft glow—compelled me to add this romance to my Yuletide list. The unfolding of the “new family” theme here has plenty of warmth, and after the intriguing prologue gave me cerebral chills, I was pretty amazed later on to find out what it meant. I ate up this novella in a satisfying sitting.

All I Want for Christmas: A Peace Country Story
Talena Winters
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Contemporary Fiction

Kids like him don’t get anything from Santa—let alone parents.
Confession: Young Trevor here has got more to him and his thinking than I expected he would. He isn’t a cute and cuddly little tyke, but neither is he a dark and defiant porcupine. His imperfections and self-awareness alongside his dreams make him relatable, and his journey isn’t schmaltzy or oversimple. A quick and altogether satisfying holiday read for me.

Dasher
Matt Tavares
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Fiction Picture Book

This adventurous young reindeer dreams of a different life.
Besides the winter-magic atmosphere set by the wonderful book cover and the intriguing one-word (that is, one-name) title, what most drew me to this book is the fact that Dasher is a girl in this take on Santa’s reindeer. Once I read it, delighting in the full and lovely illustrations, I quite appreciated the family theme. What a warm and uplifting tale!

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale
Philip Van Doren Stern
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Classic Short Story

Here’s the story that inspired the classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life.
Yes indeed, the cinematic story of George Bailey and Bedford Falls is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I’ve watched it nearly every year of my life. Still, I’m pleased that as I read The Greatest Gift, I didn’t picture George Pratt as George Bailey. For the most part, I enjoyed this short fantasy fiction tale for what it is: a short fantasy fiction tale. Not just a precursor to a movie. And what George Pratt learns about the life he’s been given is truly a timeless message.

Christmas in Harmony
Philip Gulley
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Christian Fiction

Here comes a great new idea for the town’s Christmas Eve! Um…maybe?
Not unlike other books in the Harmony series, this holiday novella is ironic. Downright hilarious. And it has a poignant thread running through it that, doggone it, left me with a bona fide tear in my eye. While the story’s style isn’t limited to the warm sentiments reflected in the lovely cover art, it’s altogether warm (and, again, hilarious!) and lovely just the same.

A Quilt for Christmas
Melody Carlson
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Christian Fiction

A ragtag group of women. A little girl’s ill mother. And a special Christmas request.
A nice amount of substance is packed into this tale, including meaningful backstories for the characters along with the emotional struggles they face. The various moving parts along the characters’ collective journey come together in such a touching way, I found myself blinking away a couple of tears a couple of times. Quite a fitting read for fans of warm and uplifting holiday tales with faith sprinkled in.

Entries for 2022’s Christmas Book Picks giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. One randomly determined winner will be notified by email on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. If the winner does not respond by Thursday, November 17, 2022, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.

Click the book covers below to pick up free Kindle copies of some of my past Christmas Book Picks. Be sure to double-check the prices before downloading!

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If I’ve selected yours as a Christmas Pick, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!