Spruce Up Your Bookshelf: Holiday Literary Fiction to Read Now

Return to the charming Irish village of Faha, one of our favorite fictional towns to spend the holidays. A brand-new tender tale in the heart of County Clare, Time of the Child follows a father and daughter in the wake of life’s never-ending surprises. When a baby is left on their doorstep just before Christmas, they must learn to put aside their differences, keep the child hidden from the town’s prying eyes and discover what community really means. Get into the holiday spirit with Niall Williams’ story of family and hope.

‘Tis the season for an enchanting tale of sisterhood, community and resilience during one magical holiday month. Ronja and Melissa love their father, and although his starry-eyed view of the world made for a dazzling childhood, he isn’t what employers would call ‘reliable.’ Journey to a snow-covered Christmas tree stand in the heart of Oslo where these two sisters work together to care for their community and keep their family afloat in this remarkable holiday tale.

This is the tale of an ordinary man living out an extraordinary story. When a coal merchant stumbles upon his town’s hidden secrets and lies, he must weigh difficult choices and decide what to do next. Colm Tóibín (Brooklyn, Long Island) loves this book just as much as we do, and writes, “Claire Keegan creates scenes with astonishing clarity and lucidity. This is the story of what happened in Ireland, told with sympathy and emotional accuracy.” A story about empathy, history and heroism, this is one of Keegan’s best — and has been adapted for the big screen starring Academy Award-winner Cillian Murphy.

Set in the enchanting world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, this is a richly atmospheric story about a magical forest and a girl who can speak to the trees. Merowdis Scot feels most at home when she’s in the woods, and when she comes across a vivid vision of her possible future, she’s determined to rid herself of the human world. A story of folklore and fables paired with stunning illustrations, this is a haunting fairytale unlike any other. Susanna Clarke joined Jenna Seery on Poured Overto chat about why she chose to write this story now, creating her memorable characters, incorporating magic into the world we know and more.

From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to In Cold Blood to Answered Prayers and so much more, the life and works of Truman Capote have been revered by the literary world — and his short fiction is no exception. A collection of short stories inspired by Capote’s own holiday memories spent in rural Alabama, A Christmas Memory allows us to experience the holidays through the eyes of an indelible figure in fiction.