Back in 2022, I started my very first 20 Books of Christmas Challenge as a fun way to combine my love of reading with the joy of the holiday season. What started as a personal project quickly became one of my favourite yearly traditions. The coziness of December nights, twinkling lights, and a stack of books waiting to be read—what could be better?
Now, it’s 2025 and I’m so excited to keep the tradition going. I’d love for you to join me once again in the Christmas Reading Challenge, which runs from October 1 through December 31! Whether you want to read 5 books, 10 books, or challenge yourself to more, this is all about finding joy in stories during the most magical time of year.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing book recommendations, reading updates, and maybe even a few festive extras to keep us motivated. Grab a cozy blanket, pour a mug of something warm, and get ready—because the Christmas Reading Challenge is officially on!
Who’s in? 📚🎅🎄
The Why:
I’ll admit it – I’m a bit of a Christmas fanatic. I love reading Christmas-themed books and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.
Each year the book publishers start publishing Christmas books during the summer and early Fall. Yes that’s right. In fact, almost all of these books are published in September and October which may likely surprise many of you.
In past years, the challenge kicked off in September—but I know that felt a little too early for many of you. This year, I’ve shifted the start date to October 1, which feels like the perfect balance of giving us plenty of time while still keeping it festive.
I’ve also created a more flexible image for the challenge to reflect the different ways people like to join in. Some readers prefer a cozy handful of books, while others aim for a towering stack—and both approaches are absolutely welcome here!
The 2025 Christmas Reading Challenge:
Let me introduce you to the 2025 Christmas Reading Challenge! My goal is to read 20 Christmas-themed books between October 1 and December 31. Why am I doing this? To challenge myself, but also to let those of you who like to read a Christmas-themed book or two some options to read during the holiday season. Many of these books will be new for 2025 with a few from my backlist.
Maybe you would like to join in on the fun?
- Just choose 20, 15, 10 or even 5 books that you’d like to read and review. They do not have to be Christmas-themed but hopefully at least half of them will be.
- Make a quick introductory post telling us what you are going to read. You’re welcome to use the image below.
- Link back to this post and comment below so I know who is joining in. You do not need to have a blog to participate.
This challenge is intended to be very relaxed:
- Fancy changing your list half way through? No problem.
- Want to swap a book? Go for it.
- Decide to drop your goal part way through? That is fine with me.
- Want to start in November or December? I have no problem with that.
- Please use #2025ChristmasReadingChallenge when posting
My own reading list may change based on availability of the books, but I hope to read 20 of these 24 books. As I read each book I will create a link to my review and post it below. For those of you who don’t like to read holiday-themed books, don’t worry. I’ll still be reading other books that are not part of this challenge but I will only include Christmas-themed books here.
My 2025 Christmas Reading Challenge Books Read (with links to published reviews):
- Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer
- The Christmas Keepsake by Annie Rains
- Date Night in December by Jaqueline Snowe
- Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
- A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron
- Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk
- The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury
- A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan
- Santa’s Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels
- Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne
- A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
- The Christmas Promise by Richard Paul Evans
- A Christmas Legacy by Anne Perry
- A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber
- A Lot Like Christmas by Jennifer Snow
- A Little Christmas Spirit by Sheila Roberts
- The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick
- Ten Christmases Without You by Jenny Hale
- Snowflakes Over Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt
- Cozy For The Holidays by Liz Maverick
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
If you’d like to see my Christmas books from previous years check out the following links:
Others Who Have Joined Me in The 2025 Christmas Reading Challenge: (Good luck everyone!)
Vicki @ I’d Rather Be At The Beach
Michelle @ michellelynnh12 on Instagram
Carolyn @ Golden Age of Detective Fiction
The official image to use:
Any questions? Simply ask in the comments below.
I hope you enjoy this festive challenge 🎄. Feel free to share widely.
Susan Dyer
Yay!! Im in! I’ll be back with my link shortly!
Thank you for doing this once again Jodie!🎅📚💜
thathappyreader
That’s wonderful Susan!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
I’m in again!
thathappyreader
That’s wonderful Jonetta!
Susan Dyer
https://susanlovesbooks.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/20-books-for-christmas-2025/
All ready to go!
Alison Dubien
Would love to join.
thathappyreader
Great! Once you’ve posted about this challenge send me a link to your post. I will be happy to add you in.
sandysbookaday (Sandy Jones)
Thank you, I’d like to join in too please. 💖📚
thathappyreader
Thats wonderful Sandy! Once you’ve had a chance to publish a post about the challenge please comment to let me know.
Cindy's Book Corner
I keep saying I am not adding any more challenges, but I do plan to read Christmas books anyway (probably in November), so I might join in! I do love the idea. I am also not sure how I have missed it in previous years!
thathappyreader
That’s wonderful Cindy! I love seeing what everyone else is reading – especially during the holiday season.
Sarah @ Exploring All Genres
Oh, this sounds like a fun challenge. I have a few Christmas-themed books I want to read this year. Can’t believe this challenge has been running for several years, but it’s the first time I’m seeing it. I’ll have to figure out what books to read so I can properly join in on this challenge.
thathappyreader
That’s wonderful Sarah. Just come back and comment with a link to your challenge post whenever you’re ready.
Her Digital Coffee
This sounds like so much fun! I love how it’s relaxed and there’s no pressure to change things up along the way. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately and hope to reach my GR reading goal, so if I get a chance to catch up, I’d love to post my link! Thanks for sharing Jodie!
thathappyreader
That sounds wonderful Winnie.
Vicki
I’m joining, thanks for hosting!
https://irbratb.com/2025/09/13/2025christmasreadingchallenge/
thathappyreader
Excellent! I’ve added your link to the challenge post Vicki.
Michelle
I would love to join! I love reading Christmas themed books.
thathappyreader
Wonderful! Please post about the challenge and then send me your link (IG is fine).
Michelle Holloway
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPozi81EScC/?igsh=cjBpMTJpY3Q1dzFo
20 Books For Christmas 2025 #Challenge #20BooksForChristmas2025 – Carla Loves To Read
[…] out Jodie’s blog for rules and/or to sign up. This is a very relaxed challenge, just one to motivate yourself to […]
Carolyn
I’m joining rather late this year, but I hope I can still make a dent in my Christmas TBR. Thanks for hosting this event.
thathappyreader
That’s wonderful Carolyn! Thanks for joining the challenge and I hope you enjoy!