I love holidays. All holidays. And what would holidays be without books that tell stories about traditions, journeys, customs, stories, and personal anecdotes. In fact, many authors have launched their careers just by writing about the holidays. The memories that stories invoke in each one of us is incredibly personal but treasured. That’s why so many publishing companies start promoting winter holiday books early. It’s one way to elicit warm holiday memories and emotions and inspire new traditions—even if it’s the family gathering around to read the same book each year.

Celebrating December holidays through books creates a long running connection between author and reader.

And when the book is shared, it has a magical multiplier effect. Take the classic tale, The Night Before Christmas. I would hazard a guess that there are quite a few families reading this story together on Christmas Eve. But there are so many more books (and movies based on books) that have been incorporated into holiday traditions each year.

• A Christmas Carol
• The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming
• The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
• The Polar Express
• K is For Kwanzaa

What are your favorite holiday reads, as a family, as an individual, and as a lover of books?

What are your favorite December holiday reads?

How do you incorporate them into your celebration traditions?