What to Read and Watch By The Fire This Holiday Season

Imagine your perfect holiday evening. The fire is crackling at your feet, hot chocolate is warming up your hands, and your favorite blanket is soothing to the touch, but one thing is missing. You can’t decide what movie or book will occupy the rest of your night. From scrolling through Netflix suggestions and skimming through your bookshelf, you just can’t pick one. 

Lucky for you, I’ve put together three books and three novels that will complete any holiday evening. These selections are ones that I’ve enjoyed reading or watching during this time of year and highly suggest to anyone wanting to get in the holiday spirit. They’re full of compassion, hope, and joy that will warm your heart this season.

Books

1. Christmas in Paris by Anita Hughes

This novel is definitely for romantic readers! It surrounds the character Isabel Lawson as she goes on her honeymoon in Paris alone. Only a week out from getting married, Isabel cancels the wedding and fly to Paris with hopes of figuring things out while she’s there. Alec, a children’s book illustrator, is staying at the same hotel when they meet and eventually Isabel begins to enjoy the Parisian Christmas. The novel is filled with her Paris experience, as she attempts to understand love, fate, and inevitably herself.

2. A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks

When reading a Nicolas Sparks novel, you can never go wrong. This novel is about two teenagers, Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan, who are polar opposites. Landon Carter is a popular guy at school. He’s wealthy, self-centered, sarcastic, and of little faith. Jamie Sullivan represents everything that Landon rolls his eyes at. She’s modest, kind, compassionate, and carries her bible with her everywhere she goes. Over the course of this novel, you’re able to see how their relationship evolves into something powerful as they begin to care for each other. But as the novel progresses it turns out Jamie’s life is much harder than it seems. 

3. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Three different narratives from three different authors all combine to tell a remarkable holiday story. All within the snow-covered town of Graceland, a stranded train, Flobie Santa Village, Waffle House, and a teacup pig all have a remarkably unexpected holiday experience. Though each story can be read separately, they intertwine together beautifully. This novel is hard to forget, and won’t get old no matter how many times you read it. 

Movies

1. Let It Snow

Found on Netflix, this movie is based on the last book I listed. Though there are some differences, the holiday spirit is still captured perfectly. Each of the three stories forms a romantic and comedic movie, that’ll warm your heart. Whatever you do, make sure to read the novel first. If you’re a sucker for the modern romantic movies, this will be a perfect movie to watch this winter.

2. Last Christmas 

Kate doesn’t have the easiest life. Nothing goes right. She works for a Christmas store year-round in London while spending the nights looking for somewhere to crash because she refuses to go back to her family. Ever since she was sick, things just haven’t felt whole. It seems like she’s lost all hope when she meets Tom. He tells her to “look up,” ditch her phone and shows her London’s hidden beauties. This movie takes you on a journey as she begins to turn her life for the better while mending her heart. 

3. Home Alone

The Home Alone series is a classic, funny, and entertaining movie. Kevin McCallister, the main character, is only eight when he is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation. After wishing for no family, he assumes his holiday wish has been granted. As the eight-year-old boy breaks the rules and does as he pleases, he discovers burglars are trying to rob his house. To defend his home, Kevin comes up with a master plan to outsmart and defend himself before his family returns. There are a total of five Home Alone movies that will make the perfect holiday marathon. 

I hope these books and movies will hit your holiday spot while sitting by the fire this winter!