During the month of December, all I want is some good Christmas feels—I’m listening to Christmas music as I’m writing this post. What’s better than some wintery short stories, bringing you just the right amount of cozy goodness? Here are some favorites.
Snow in Love (2018)
From four very popular authors, Snow in Love delivers a snowy road trip, a Hanukkah miracle, a Christmas Eve present exchange, and an airport scavenger hunt.
“Snow and Mistletoe” by Kasie West
What did you expect from Kasie West? Girl is the queen of YA romance. This was a great slow burn with fun side characters all put together in the small quarters of a road trip. I honestly could have read a full novel of these characters, but it was still the perfect length and structure for a short story. ♥♥♥♥♥
“Working in a Winter Wonderland” by Aimee Friedman
While I loved the setting, a New York department store, and that the main character was Jewish, this didn’t wow me. I felt that the ending—the main romance—was extremely rushed. I would have appreciated more interactions between the two love interest throughout the entire story, instead of springing it on the readers in the last few pages. ♥♥♥
“The Magi’s Gifts” by Melissa de la Cruz
As the shortest of the four stories, this just seemed completely phoned in. This is coming from one of the most successful authors in YA lit and it was a cliched mess. ♥
“Grounded” by Nic Stone
Can always count on Nic Stone to brings readers a wonderfully diverse and entertaining read. As these two young ladies travel through the busiest airport in the U.S. to find each other, you feel like you’re right there with them. I hung on every last word. ♥♥♥♥♥
Let It Snow (2016)
What is so great about this collection from John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, is that all three of their stories are interconnected. This takes a great deal of work but when it’s done right, beautiful stories are born and in this case, they all come together at a Waffle House.
“The Jubilee Express” by Maureen Johnson
Jubilee is reluctantly put on a train to spend her Christmas in Florida with her grandparents after her parents are otherwise occupied. More importantly, she’s away from her “perfect” boyfriend, Noah. After getting stuck in a random town due to weather, Jubilee is saved by a local boy named Stuart. This was a really sweet story that gives you all the feels. ♥♥♥♥♥
“A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle” by John Green
John Green writes interesting and entertaining character and he does an incredible job with writing friend groups. The dynamic between these three best friends is joyful to read especially with them being stuck in a house together on Christmas. You either love John Green, or you hate him, and I happen to love him. ♥♥♥♥
“The Patron Saint of Pigs” by Lauren Myracle
Probably the weakest of the three stories, this follows Addie as she deals with the aftermath of a breakup that happens right before Christmas. Realizing that nothing is going to happen on it’s own, Addie must fight for what she mistakenly gave up. One plus—a teacup pig. ♥♥♥
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories (2014)
My favorite collection of short stories! While I don’t love every single story in this collection, there is a really nice mixture of every type of genre. Plus they aren’t all about Christmas: we got Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, New Years. And that cover! So adorable. I’m not going to go into every single story, but I will highlight the ones I love the best. I try to reread my favorites every year.
“Midnights” by Rainbow Rowell
The first in the collection and my very favorite. This looks at New Years for two friends across a five years and how they’ve developed their relationship.
“Polaris is Where You’ll Find Me” by Jenny Han
The human Santa adopted who is in love with an elf. Adorable!
“It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown” by Stephanie Perkins
A budding romance between a Chinese American and a worker from the Christmas tree lot.
“Welcome to Christmas, CA” by Kiersten White
A new chef comes to a diner and starts making everyone’s favorite meals, slowly brings light and happiness to the town of Christmas
I hope these stories can bring you some joy this holiday season. Enjoy!
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