Best Book Club Books Christmas (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Picking the best book club books christmas reading gets easier once you know the club: some want a short classic with big discussion potential, others want a warm, easy read to close out the year. We compared five Christmas books by fit, contents and value.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Christmas by Ryan	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	A Christmas Memory by Capote	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Cornish Book Club by Britnell	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Christmas Club by Hinske	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Borrow a Bookshop by Dunbar	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Christmas by Ryan

Anne Marie Ryan·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 320-page tale of two booksellers lifting spirits with anonymous book deliveries, for clubs that enjoy warm stories about reading.

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Pros

• 320 pages, the longest here
• Published October 12, 2021 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
• Booksellers and reading, a natural club fit

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• Grief, depression and illness in storylines
• 320 pages is the longest assignment

2

A Christmas Memory by Capote

Truman Capote·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Three holiday stories from Capote's Alabama childhood, for clubs wanting a short literary pick with discussion material.

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Pros

• Three stories, 128 pages
• Modern Library reissue, November 12, 1996
• Classic pick, strong for discussion

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• 1996 edition, not a recent printing
• Bullying and an estranged parent in stories

3

Cornish Book Club by Britnell

Angela Britnell·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Christmas romance around a village book club, for clubs that enjoy light romantic reads with a bookish setting.

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Pros

• Village book club at the story's center
• October 22, 2025, the newest here
• Book 2 of 2, The Cornish Romances Book Club

Cons

• Romance runs through the description
• No print length stated
• Book 2, so book one comes first

4

The Christmas Club by Hinske

Barbara Hinske·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Interwoven Christmas stories of kindness and second chances, for clubs that like quick heartwarming holiday tales.

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Pros

• 132 pages, a quick read
• Published October 23, 2016
• Kindness and second chances

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• No publisher clearly stated
• 132 pages may feel short

5

Borrow a Bookshop by Dunbar

Kiley Dunbar·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A cosy Christmas romcom in a bookshop, for clubs that enjoy light romantic reads with a festive setting.

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Pros

• Bookshop and Yule book flood tradition
• Published September 1, 2022 by Hera
• Book 2 of 5, Borrow a Bookshop

Cons

• Romance and heartbreak in description
• No print length stated
• Book 2 of 5, book one comes first

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More picks to compare

• Comfort & Joy by HannahChristmas fable about second chances, 272 pages, for clubs wanting hopeCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. None of the five listings states a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best book club books christmas

Match the length to the club’s calendar

December is a short reading month: The Christmas Club at 132 pages and A Christmas Memory at 128 pages fit a single meeting, while Christmas by Anne Marie Ryan at 320 pages needs more time; see also our best book club books short list.

Decide how much romance the club wants

Two picks are romances: The Cornish Christmas Book Club and Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop. For more holiday options, see our best Christmas books for adults list.

Check the series position before buying

Two picks are mid-series: the Cornish pick is book 2 of 2, and the Borrow a Bookshop pick is book 2 of 5. Confirm the club is fine jumping in, or buy book 1 first.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: the Cornish and Borrow a Bookshop picks are book 2.
• Match print length to the schedule: listings state 128 to 320 pages.
• Note the themes: two romances, plus grief in the Ryan pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which book should a club start with?

The Cornish pick centers on a book club; A Christmas Memory offers a 128-page classic. Match the pick to the club’s taste.

Are any of these part of a series?

Two are: the Cornish pick is book 2 of 2, and the Borrow a Bookshop pick is book 2 of 5.

Anything to preview before assigning?

The two romances center on romantic relationships. The Ryan pick touches on grief and depression; the Capote stories touch on bullying.

Still deciding? Our top pickChristmas by Ryan

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Related lists

See every book club picks list and all fiction lists. Also see our literary fiction book club books.

More lists: fantasy books and thriller and mystery.