Less than a week until Christmas, I hope everyone’s feeling the joy of the most wonderful time of the year! If decorations or movies haven’t done the trick, how about a book? These short, easy reads, paired with hot chocolate and enjoyed by the light of a Christmas tree, are sure to lift your holiday spirit.

Christmas at Eagle Pond by Donald Hall

Beautifully written by a former U.S. Poet Laureate, this novella depicts Christmas in rural New England in 1940. The images are practically magical.

A Rumpole Christmas by John Mortimer

These delightful stories feature a smart and sarcastic barrister, who always ends up playing detective at Christmas time and proves he’s not the Scrooge that others believe him to be.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A timeless story with a classic character, this book is both exciting and uplifting. Most editions include “other Christmas writings” by Dickens.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

While not completely centered on Christmas, with its themes of family, growth, and moral lessons, this novel will warm the heart at any age.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

This collection of hilarious, yet surprisingly thoughtful, stories is perfect for any real-life Scrooge. “SantaLand Diaries,” the essay describing Sedaris’s experience as an elf at Macy’s, is considered a classic in some circles.