10 Reads To Enjoy Over The Holidays
Christmas is often synonymous with reunions, joy and precious moments spent with loved ones. It’s also the perfect time to dive into stories that warm the heart or captivate with their tales, in the spirit of winter. To celebrate the end of the year in cheer, here are our 10 reads to enjoy over the holidays!
A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens (1843)
Genre: Short story
Country: United Kingdom
Summary: It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is getting ready to celebrate. Everyone? No! Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy London merchant with a heart of stone, has no use for any of these festivities. Fiercely stingy, he cares little for those around him…
But the night before Christmas, the ghost of his former partner warns him that three spirits will soon visit. Drawn against his will into the past, the present and the future, the old miser receives a powerful lesson in life.
Written in the nineteenth century, this tale by Charles Dickens embodies the very spirit of Christmas. Against Victorian strictness and austerity, Dickens sets the warmth of the holidays, kindness and generosity. His message still resonates today, as our traditions bear the imprint of his work. A classic to (re)discover by the fireside, a good Christmas tea in hand!
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott (1868)
Genre: Romance, family saga
Country: United States
Summary: In the midst of the Civil War, the four daughters of Doctor March are growing up in Concord, in a modest home where love makes up for the lack of money. Meg, the sensible eldest; Jo, the fiery writer; Beth, the gentle musician; and Amy, the coquettish youngest, face the trials of everyday life under the loving eye of their mother, Marmee.
Through dreams, jealousies, bursts of generosity and first stirrings of the heart, each one learns to find her own path, all while hoping for the return of their beloved father, held at the Northern front.
This novel by Louisa May Alcott portrays with great tenderness the bonds of family, courage and the quest for female independence at a time when such aspirations were only just beginning to take shape. Filled with warmth and humanity, it celebrates the values that give Christmas its deepest meaning. It is a true ode to simplicity and kindness.
The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)
TOP PICK OF THE RÉSIDENCES DU MARCHÉ BOOK CLUB
Genre: Novel
Country: France
Summary: An aviator crashes in the middle of the Sahara Desert, thousands of kilometres from civilization. Busy repairing his plane, he doesn’t expect to encounter a mysterious little boy. This “Little Prince,” who has come from another planet, unsettles the aviator with his piercing gaze and disarming questions.
As they speak, the boy recounts his travels across the stars, inhabited by characters who are both absurd and philosophical. He also reveals his attachment to his rose – fragile, demanding and one of a kind – which he left behind. His journey becomes a quest for meaning, friendship and responsibility, reminding us that “what is essential is invisible to the eye” and that “you are forever responsible for what you have tamed.”
With this novel, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry delivers a masterpiece of poetry and emotion. This classic has touched hearts around the world, becoming the second most translated book after the Bible. Recommended by the Résidences du Marché Book Club, this luminous story invites us to rediscover simplicity and wonder. Tender and deeply human, it is perfect for Christmas evenings, to share with grandchildren and pass on a touch of sweetness and magic.
A Maigret Christmas – Georges Simenon (1951)
Genre: Detective, short story
Country: Belgium
Summary: It’s Christmas morning in Paris. As Commissioner Jules Maigret prepares for a quiet day with his wife, two neighbours come knocking: a six-year-old girl insists that Santa Claus visited her room during the night… to slip a toy under her pillow!
Intrigued, the commissioner follows his instincts and embarks on an investigation as delicate as it is moving, unfolding amid family secrets, false identities and unexpected acts of kindness.
If you like detective stories – even during the holidays – this tale is made for you! In Europe, Commissioner Maigret enjoys immense popularity: Georges Simenon devoted nearly 75 novels and no fewer than 28 short stories to him. Usually imposing and gruff, Maigret reveals a more human side here, attentive to wounded souls. It’s a mystery where the suspense gradually gives way to the gentle warmth of Christmas.
The Father Christmas Letters – J.R.R. Tolkien (1976)
Genre: Epistolary tale, fantasy
Country: United Kingdom
Summary: What if every year at Christmas you received a letter from Santa Claus himself, recounting his whirlwind life at the North Pole, the clumsy antics of the Polar Bear, battles with goblins, the northern lights and the feverish preparations for the holidays…
From 1920 to 1943, this was the delight of Tolkien’s four children every December. These letters, beautifully written and illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, blend laughter, joy and imagination. They reveal a rich universe filled with endearing characters and wondrous details, reflecting a father’s love for his children.
Through this posthumously published collection, the author of The Lord of the Rings reveals another facet of his talent: that of a master storyteller who celebrates the magic of Christmas and the power of imagination. This work by Tolkien is a treasure of emotion and poetry, to be enjoyed at any age!
Midwinter Murder – Agatha Christie (2020)
Genre: Detective novel
Country: United Kingdom
Summary: When winter comes, it often brings woollen blankets, mulled wine and a crackling fire. For Agatha Christie, it mostly means icy snow, poisoned meals and investigations at every turn. In this collection, twelve chilling stories follow one another, each weaving suspense and mystery.
Christie delves into human nature under threat: jealousy, betrayal, greed and buried secrets emerge in every chapter. Here we encounter the famous detective Hercule Poirot, the celebrated Miss Marple and Professor Parker Pyne, all caught up in a series of clever murders.
Published only recently in 2021, this collection of detective stories is a masterpiece of ingenuity. Midwinter Murder brings together everything we love about Agatha Christie: intimate atmospheric settings, ambiguous characters and that delightfully British thrill that makes reading irresistible – even as the storm rages outside!
Illuminer décembre – Benoit Picard (2024)
Genre: Fiction novel – unavailable in English yet
Country: Canada (Quebec)
Summary: It’s December 1st, and Ophélie is already dreading Christmas. Newly single, disillusioned by the holidays, and stuck in a rut, this incurable grump is given a mission by her roommate, Zoé: to rediscover the joy of the season before Christmas Eve.
Each passing day brings a new activity to try – baking cookies, decorating the apartment, listening to Christmas classics and more. Gradually, Ophélie emerges from her shell, learns to trust again, and, most importantly, rediscovers the wonder of the season.
Benoit Picard delivers a radiant novel about friendship, resilience and the little things that restore a love of life. Beneath the light-heartedness of the holiday preparations lies a heartfelt reflection on grief, attachment and rediscovered joy. Illuminer décembre celebrates the simple gestures that, together, reignite the spark within us all.
J’ai poussé le père Noël du traîneau ! – Marine Florisin (2024)
Genre: Fiction novel – unavailable in English yet
Country: France
Summary: As Christmas approaches, Mélia is fed up with her bad luck. On a whim, she accepts a challenge from her best friend: say yes to everything. At first, fortune seems to smile upon her – she wins an all-expenses-paid dream trip… which quickly turns into a nightmare!
Sent to the mountains instead of the sunny getaway she imagined, Mélia finds herself in the snow, forced to stay in a chalet and confronted with her worst fear: sled dogs. In a whirlwind of snow, tequila and personal revelations, she must navigate colourful companions and question everything she thought she knew.
This work by Marine Florisin is a delightful blend of humour, romance and introspection. Set against a wintry backdrop, the author invites us to let go and rediscover the joy of life and connection in a wonderfully festive spirit. It’s a sparkling, whimsical read – perfect for ending the year with a smile!
Cent ans d’histoire : Vous m’avez raconté le Québec – Janette Bertrand (2025)
Genre: Essay – unavailable in English yet
Country: Canada (Quebec)
Summary: They share their stories, remember and recount a century of life in Quebec. Their laughter, tears and hopes rise into the air, while the echoes of old kitchens, labour struggles and major upheavals resound.
Over time, Quebec changes: religion wanes, women claim their place and society opens to the world. This is the memory of a people in pursuit of freedom and dignity, proud of their roots and resolutely looking toward the future.
Cent ans d’histoire : Vous m’avez raconté le Québec is a powerful collective testimony, where each unique and sincere voice tells the story of who we have become. Through her attentive listening and clear-eyed perspective, Janette Bertrand gathers these stories and delivers a compelling portrait of the Québécois who have shaped the face of our beautiful province.
Contes de Noël d’antan au Québec – Jean-Louis Lessard (2025)
Genre: Folklore – unavailable in English yet
Country: Canada (Quebec)
Summary: In old Quebec, Christmas was celebrated to the rhythm of traditions and stories passed down through generations. In this book, Jean-Louis Lessard shares 24 beloved local tales.
In these stories, we hear the creak of floorboards, the jingle of bells and the crackle of fireplaces. We also encounter mischievous ghosts, clever animals and families bound together by mutual support and the joy of Christmas.
Blending humour, wonder and human warmth, we discover a Quebec steeped in memory and legend. More than just a collection of tales, it is a moving portrait of Christmases past, where every line lingers in our memories and in our homes.
These suggested works are true gateways to diverse worlds and captivating stories, perfect for accompanying your winter days. If one of them catches your eye, we invite you to borrow it from the library or give it as a gift – just in time for Christmas. These holiday reading ideas are little treasures to savour and share!