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The days between Christmas and New Year’s tend to open up in a way the rest of the season doesn’t. The schedule loosens, the holiday rush fades, and suddenly there’s time—real, unscheduled time—to sit down with a book. If you’re searching for books to read during Twixmas, you’re probably looking for something genuinely enjoyable (imagine!) to read during this in-between stretch.
This is the moment for books that are easy to sink into and hard to put down. The kind you can read in long, lazy stretches or pick up between plans without needing to remember a cast of characters or complicated plotlines. You want stories that feel comforting but not boring, thoughtful but not heavy—books that make the days off feel well spent.
Featured image from our interview with Sanne Vloet by Michelle Nash.
The Best Books to Read During Twixmas
Ahead, I’ve pulled together the best books for Twixmas. Whether you finish one book or several, consider this your permission slip to read for pleasure—and nothing else.
Cozy Reads for the In-Between
These are the books you reach for when you want to get absorbed. They’re voice-driven, observant, and deeply engaging—well suited to the in-between days when you’re easing out of holiday mode and settling into a slower rhythm. Some are funny, some are sharp, some touch on heavier themes, but all are genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. Think good company for the couch, a blanket, and a few uninterrupted hours.
Inspiring Reads for a Fresh Start
These are the books you turn to when you’re ready to reflect—quietly, honestly, and without a plan yet in place. They invite perspective rather than pressure, offering ideas and stories that help you take stock of the year behind you and consider what you want more of in the one ahead. Thoughtful and grounding, these reads are less about self-improvement and more about clarity—meeting you exactly where you are before anything needs to change.
Feel-Good Novels That Go Down Easy
These are the novels you pick up when you want to be entertained. They’re plot-forward, character-driven, and easy to fall into—designed to keep you turning pages and enjoying the ride. No emotional slog, no complicated timelines—just satisfying stories that make reading feel like a pleasure, not a project.
Absorbing Reads to Close Out the Year
These are the books that ask for your attention—and reward it. Immersive and emotionally rich, they’re especially satisfying as the year winds down, pulling you fully into another world or way of thinking. Whether you read them quickly or savor them slowly, each offers a sense of completion that feels earned—perfect for closing one chapter before turning to the next.