5 Christmas Books That Aren't Your Standard Romance

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Christmas is all about hunkering down with loved ones and watching cozy feel-good classics. However, when you want some me-time, there's nothing like opening up a new novel while sipping on some hot chocolate, wrapped in a warm throw blanket. There's no shortage of good Christmas rom-com books from the 2020s so far, but sometimes you might want to get lost in a seasonal story that has nothing to do with falling in love. Or, perhaps you're tired of the formulaic boy-meets-girl narrative and want to enjoy the holidays with a book that's focused more on family or friendship.

Whether you're trying to get over a breakup or simply not interested in love, it's still possible to enjoy the yuletide without focusing on romance. There will be plenty of platonic love in the air during Secret Santas with friends and Christmas dinners with family. So, if you want a feel-good read that isn't a typical romance novel, we've gathered five picks that'll be sure to spread holiday cheer.

John Grisham is known for his legal thrillers, but many may not know that he once wrote a satirical novel about the excesses of Christmas that also became a hit comedy film. "Skipping Christmas" follows Luther and Nora Crank, who have just said goodbye to their daughter, Blair, who is spending Christmas abroad. Faced with the holidays alone, Luther and Nora decide to forego festivities and completely denounce Christmas. Their plan doesn't work, however, when they're pressured by their neighbors to join in the merriment, which then turns into a comedy of errors. If this plot sounds a lot like "Christmas with the Cranks," that's because the film was based on Grisham's hilarious novel.

"Skipping Christmas" is a far cry from the edge-of-your-seat mystery and thriller books Grisham is known for. But it's the perfect holiday story that pokes fun at commercialism while also showing how Christmas brings people together. As much as they tried, skipping Christmas was not an option for the Cranks, and you'll be laughing out loud at all their hijinks until the very last page.

Many people celebrate Friendsgiving, but Christmas is also a time for gathering with pals, which is exactly what "The Christmas Orphans Club" is all about. Written by "Bad on Paper" podcaster Becca Freeman, the book is about besties Hannah and Finn, who have no family to spend the holidays with, so they've made their own Christmas traditions together. The two "orphans" also eventually adopted Priya and Theo, making their group a foursome, but their friendship threatens to get splintered when one of them plans to move across the country.

While there is a bit of romance with Hannah and her boyfriend, and Finn pining for Theo, the novel is largely about the group's friendships and how they became like a family over the years. Readers loved the heartfelt Christmas tale, with one writing on Amazon, "This book felt so much like real life, I had so much empathy with the characters. Their worries, dreams, passions were so palpable and relatable. And like life, all of the conflicts, the concerns are resolved when everyone communicates." Another shared on Goodreads, "Christmas is a hard time for a lot of people, myself included, and I love that this book celebrated the season while also acknowledging the complicated feelings many of those celebrants may have. It's very much a modern, non-traditional Christmas story, and I think even those that aren't seasonal book readers will eat this right up!"

"A Christmas Carol" is a holiday classic, so naturally, author Samantha Silva had to weave a story around how Charles Dickens came about writing the novel. "Mr. Dickens and His Carol" isn't completely based on a true story, but rather, Silva drew upon Dickens' flop, his latest "Martin Chuzzlewit" book of the series, and his desperate attempt to create a next bestseller. Just like in "A Christmas Carol," there are supernatural elements in Silva's debut novel, and readers will be enchanted by the surprise twist that unveils itself.

A fun fact that readers may be surprised to know is that "Mr. Dickens and His Carol" began as a screenplay and was actually bought four times, but never came to fruition. Out of wanting to bring the story to life, Silva reworked it into the book we see now. "Writing the novel was a liberating experience, a chance to mine all the incident, and the incidental characters, and let them shine with their own light," she told the Los Angeles Public Library. She added, "I knew the plot had drive; I just had to find the layers, the texture, the interior life of the characters — things verboten in screenwriting. What a joy to get to do that."

Fans of Christopher Moore know that he's the king of humor, and he doesn't disappoint with "The Stupidest Angel." The title alone is enough for many to pick up the book, but once readers get to the story, they'll be hooked. Christmas and zombies are an unusual combination, but Moore brings the two together in the most hilarious way. As the town of Pine Cove gets ready for the holidays, a boy witnesses the accidental death of a man dressed as Santa Claus. After he desperately prays for Santa to be saved, archangel Raziel unwittingly brings "Santa" to life, as well as others buried in the ground. Pine Cove is then surrounded by zombies, and it's up to the flawed, yet well-meaning residents to save themselves — and Christmas.

If you're looking for a quirky take on a holiday book, you'll love "The Stupidest Angel." Be warned, though, that despite the cartoony cover, it's not for kids. The residents deal with infidelity, addiction, and death, but Moore writes the story in such a satirical, comical way that you'll be laughing through the pages. One reader described on Goodreads, "It's totally oddball, irreverent, immature, deviously clever, and just plain silly, as are most of Moore's books. It doesn't matter if you find the story '[believable]' it's TOO FUNNY for me to care." So, if you have a case of the holiday blues, pick up Moore's novel for some comic relief.

Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These" is not your lighthearted Christmas tale, but it's powerful and moving, and ends on an uplifting note. The fiction novel follows coal seller, Bill Furlong, who's raising five kids in Ireland with his wife, Eileen. While dropping off some coals to the nuns nearby, Furlong sees young teenage girls working in harsh conditions, with one trapped inside a shed. Unable to get the image out of his head, he makes a hard decision that goes against the church, but ultimately stands by his morals.

Just like "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life," Keegan's novel is a Christmas story about redemption and finding meaning in life. A reader shared on Amazon, "What an inspiring work. The prose, the story, the characters, the last sentence. The hope. We, most of us, have walked past someone or perhaps an animal less fortunate, and regretted doing so. This story is about courage. After reading it, I hope I have the courage to do the right thing." Keegan's book was such a hit that "Small Things Like These" was released as a film in 2024, starring Cillian Murphy as Furlong. After you read the book, grab some popcorn, and cozy up on the couch for the cinematic take on this touching Christmas story.

While coming up with our list of non-romance-centric Christmas books, we perused suggestions from Reddit and Goodreads, and narrowed our picks down to five. We made sure to include fun, light-hearted reads, because who doesn't want a feel-good story around the holidays? However, because some readers want a bit more depth and meat to their books, we suggested a couple of serious novels with a poignant message. Reviews were also taken into account, with the majority of readers on Amazon and Goodreads giving our choices favorable marks, ensuring that you'll enjoy getting lost in at least one of these books come holiday season.