YA Books to Get You Into the Holiday Spirit

Is December your favorite month? Looking for books to get you excited for Christmas, Hanukkah, winter and the new year? We’ve got the perfect list for you! Throw on fuzzy slippers, grab your favorite blanket and sip some hot chocolate, because once you get these YA books, you won’t want to leave your couch. 

1. Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle

Let it Snow follows an ensemble of characters as a snow storm hits a small town on Christmas Eve. Jubilee can’t make it to Florida by train and ends up spending the day at the Waffle House. But, running into a stranger named Stuart might change her entire outlook. An adventure to get to Waffle House for three friends might be the most surprising night of all for two of them. Tobin started to see his friend Angie “The Duke” as something more, but will the Christmas Eve blizzard give him the courage to tell her? Finally, Addie is having problems with her boyfriend Jeb. He doesn’t show up to their Starbucks meet up and Addie tries to heal by having her own adventure. One that includes an unlikely ally: a cute teacup pig! 

It’s now a Netflix movie and as far as YA book to movie adaptions go, it’s pretty great! Read the book and then follow it with the movie. Don’t forget the hot chocolate!

2. Snow in Love by Kasie West, Aimee Friedman, Melissa de la Cruz and Nic Stone

Snow in Love features four holiday stories that are perfect for a chilly night in spent under a blanket. From a contemporary love story set in an airport to a Christmas Eve plot twist to a scavenger hunt to a Hanukkah miracle— this book has a story for everyone! Definitely pick this up if you’re looking for quick, light hearted reads by some of our favorite YA authors. 

3. 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

Sophie is ready for winter break! With her parents away seeing her sister, Sophie finally has the freedom to spend time with her boyfriend. But when Sophie surprises him at a party, she overhears him telling his friend that he wants a break. He wants to have fun and Sophie isn’t fun.

Sophie leaves the party in tears and shows up at her nonna’s house for the holidays. Her nonna wants to help Sophie’s broken heart and devises a family plan: 10 days of 10 dates. Family members get to reserve days to set Sophie up on a series of blind dates. Art first Sophie is horrified, but then uses it as a way to spend quality time with her large Italian family. Besides, she’s missed her cousins Olivia and Charlie, plus Charlie’s best (and cute) friend Wes.

10 Blind Dates was laugh out loud enjoyable. We loved Sophie’s family and their fun/over the top reunions. This is the perfect feel-good Christmas story! Do yourself a favor and read this book with a plate of Christmas cookies by your side.  

4. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean’ life is changing. Her sister left for college all the way in Scotland. To make matters worse, somehow her secret love letters were sent out. Her past crushes included her sister’s ex (Lara Jean’s best guy friend) Josh, her ex-friend, now the popular jock Peter and an old friend from middle school John Ambrose.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before ends around the holiday season, which is very important to the Covey family. They are very into decorating, celebrating and baking. In fact, if you buy a paperback version of this book, you’ll get Lara Jean’s favorite cookie recipes placed in the back of the book. Run to the store and stock your kitchen because Lara Jean will turn you into a baking queen. 

5. My True Love Gave to Me: 12 Holiday Stories by various authors

Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de la Pena, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell , Laini Taylor and Kiersten White all wrote sweet holiday stories. Check this out and read short stories from best-selling YA authors. 

If you’ve read this one, tell us which stories were your favorites!

6. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

A YA cult favorite set in the 1990s! Charlie writes letters to an anonymous person about his life. He’s been going through a rough time and dreads starting high school. Surprisingly, he meets a group of seniors and little by little, feels like he belongs somewhere. While most of the book isn’t set around the holidays, a sweet game of Secret Santa is a top scene. Charlie’s story has the theme of self-discovery that we love in YA.  

The Perks of Being a Wallflower will make you laugh, cry and enjoy the holiday season with the people you love most. Also, the last line of the story is one of the best in YA. After the book, watch the movie. It’s one of the best YA book to movie adaptions of the past decade. 

7. The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner

Liba and Laya enjoyed growing up in their small village. At the same time, the world isn’t an easy place for Jewish people. As their parents set off to see their grandmother, the two are left alone. As this happens, they learn a secret about their parents and how they can turn into animals. 

The Sisters of the Winter Wood is a sweet fantasy story about family and love. Set in a magical village on the border between Ukraine and Moldova, the sisters sheltered lives change quickly. This book switches POVs between the sisters and has you rooting for both of them! Plus, the romances will keep you swooning the entire time. 

8. Pretty Little Secrets: A Pretty Little Liars Collection by Sara Shepard

The Pretty Little Liars: Aria, Hanna, Spencer and Emily enjoy the holiday season…with A watching of course. Unfortunately, the holidays do not go smoothly for them.

First, Hanna feels like an outsider in her own home. Hanna and her dad are Jewish and have wonderful Hanukkah traditions. However, the new step wife and sister are less than thrilled about this. They only want to celebrate Christmas, making Hanna feel alone. To get out of the house, Hanna joins a bootcamp program at her gym and ends up competing for the trainer’s attention.

Next, Emily has to get a job as Santa to infiltrate a group of naughty elves. Her mother forces her to play this role at the local mall and get close to a group of girls who have been pulling holiday pranks around Rosewood. This gets Emily into trouble and she questions whether she should help her mom or remain loyal to these new friends. 

Third, Aria does not want to spend the winter solstice with with her dad, his girlfriend and her brother. An old flame from her years in Iceland returns and needs a place to stay. Caught up in the moment, Aria and her guy go to Atlantic City and maybe tie the knot? 

Finally, Spencer’s family trades Rosewood winter for a sunny Florida getaway. Spencer wants to forget the craziness of the past year and hopes to find a new guy. Unfortunately, her sister Melissa has her eyes on the same one. Spencer wants to make the guy hers by NYE, but would hurting her sister be worth it? 

9. Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider

Charlotte and Anthony meet by chance in an airport. Both of them have been dumped and neither can get out of the city because of a blizzard. In the gift shop they pick up a book about getting over their exes and set off to explore NYC. 

Kiss Me in New York is a heartwarming story about losing love and finding it in an unexpected way. With the snow covered streets and the city decorated for the season, how could you not fall for the person who understands what you’re going through?

10. Ex-Mas by Kate Brian

Lila’s ready for the holiday season. Her parents are on vacation and she’s planning a huge party. But when her brother and brother’s best friend run away, there is only one person who can help her: enter ex-boyfriend Beau.

The two go on a mission to rescue their brothers and are forced to overcome their differences to be successful. But maybe this Christmas disaster could turn into an unexpected love story. Join Lila and Beau on this unexpected Christmas road trip in Ex-mas.