Don’t get me wrong, I love A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
It’s a masterpiece that hits all the right notes of Christmassy nostalgia, tradition and heartwarming festivity with some ghosts thrown in for good measure. If you haven’t read it, go read that. If you have read that, you’re in the right place!
Below are 14 great works of short fiction that make perfect companions this winter.
1. Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford
Novella
A fun farcical novella that sees a host of bright young things gather at Lady Bobbin’s house for a Christmas party. Mitford (according to her sister Jessica) wrote Christmas Pudding for months “giggling helplessly by the drawing room fire”. It’s a fun novella that’s ideal for a winters day.
2. Winter in the Air by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Short Story Collection
Sylvia Townsend-Warner, who most know for her novel Lolly Willowes, shows herself as a master of the short story form in these bittersweet tragicomic tales. Through the collection we encounter eccentric aunts, elopement to Paris, tangled marriages and murder…all told in a beautiful lucid style that’s perfect for a winter read.
3. This Winter by Alice Osman
Novella
Set in the world of Heartstopper, this novella is a festive story showing Charlie and Tori as they attempt to save Christmas. For those who enjoyed watching Nick and Charlie’s relationship blossom in the Netflix series this year, This Winter offers another glimpse into the world Osman has created.
4. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Short Story Collection
Every December, a letter would arrive at the Tolkien household addressed to the children. It was from Santa. Inside were tales of life at the North Pole; accident-prone polar bears, wars with troublesome goblins and reindeer that get loose scattering gifts everywhere. These wholesome Christmas tales effortlessly conjure up a sense of magic that anyone will find hard to resist.
Novella
Technically yes, it’s a picture book, but at 80 pages I’m letting it have the novella label also. As the rest of the world sleeps, the gritterman goes to work on a job that has been his life. This is all soon to end thanks to intervention from the local council. This wonderful story from Orlando Weeks (former frontman of indie band The Maccabees) features illustrations and a downloadable soundtrack of original piano music and songs.
6. The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
Short Story
Beatrix Potter was a writer we all enjoyed as kids, and isn’t Christmas a time for rediscovering our inner child? The Tailor of Gloucester is a delightful story of resourceful mice who help out a tailor in need when the mayor requires a new coat in time for Christmas. With Potter’s beautiful illustrations, this little book will have you smiling cheek to cheek.
7. Festive Spirits by Kate Atkinson
Short Story Collection
Three short stories from one of the country’s foremost novelists all centred around the festive period. From a mother watching her children in a nativity play to an elderly man spending Christmas with his childhood friend – all three of these tales capture a very human element that Atkinson displays so well in her novels.
8. A Winter Book by Tove Jansson
Short Story Collection
Best known as the creator of the Moomins, most people outside of Finland might forget that Jansson wrote for adults too. This collection of short stories shows her skill with the form. From being snowed in, exploring the waters on a new boat, or preparing for the coming winter by replenishing stores, these tales dive headfirst into the season and will delight on a winter’s day.
9. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
Short Story Collection
If you haven’t read Breakfast at Tiffany’s or In Cold Blood this festive collection is a wonderful starting point to Capote’s work. This crisp collection of short tales features Christmas in the Deep South, a troubling meeting in New York at winter, and a miracle that occurs in a drugstore. These bittersweet tales are a great introduction to the work of a celebrated writer.
10. Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris
Short Story Collection
A beloved humorist, Sedaris shares his experience of working as a holiday elf in “Santaland” of Macy’s Department store New York. Sitting alongside 5 other Christmas stories, Sedaris shares his experiences of the festive season with his trademark observations, wit and satirical perspective.
11. The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
Novella
This is a poignant and emotive novella about legacy, family and love. A father has a story he desperately needs to share with his son and is given the chance to do something remarkable for a courageous girl who lies a few miles away in a hospital bed. At just 80 pages this tale will sweep you up – a festive triumph from an internationally bestselling writer.
12. Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson
Short Story Collection
An unusual book that contains a mixture of short stories, Christmas recipes, fairy tales and fables. There are 12 stories in this collection all centred around the festive period and they range from a retelling of the nativity from the donkeys perspective, to a Dickensian style story set in Mrs Reckitt’s Academy for Orphans. A unique look at the festive period from one of the UK’s foremost writers.
13. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
Novella
The book that inspired Christmas with the Kranks. Luther and Nora decide that this year they’re going to skip it all – the whole Christmas season. They’ve had enough of crowded shops, terrible office parties and pointless gift giving and are setting off on a Caribbean cruise instead. This funny fast paced novella is a great look at the hectic side of commercial Christmas and a fun read for the holidays.
14. Village Christmas by Laurie Lee
Short Story Collection
A beautiful portrait of England, Lee brings the sounds, sights and traditions of his Cotswold home to life with this collection. Organised via the seasons the book begins with 6 Winter stories before progressing through Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Throughout we get to explore the mysteries of love, the threats of development and gentrification, and the age old traditions that make up the writers home.
Conclusion
We hope you found a good festive read to accompany you through the winter.
Let us know in the comments below which you’ll be reading and which you’ve already read.
Merry Christmas, and happy reading!