The Alibi Book Club #25 | My Favourite Christmas Reads

You know that whole chicken soup for the soul thing? Yeah, I feel like festive reads are just like that, they are full of Christmas goodness that it makes you feel whole and warm and fuzzy inside. I've got a few that are my ABSOLUTE favourites! They're all funny, lighthearted and perfect for picking up whenever you want. And I felt like it's about time I shared them with you! Soo, read on to see what you need to buy next on your trip to the book shop...

001: Jenny Colgan - Christmas at Rosie Hopkin's Sweet Shop:
A quaint little village. Check. Sweets. Check. This is one of those books if you dream of what Christmas will be like in a tiny place. It's just as cosy as you think and Rosie's character is one of my favourites! This one I will always reach for first when the festive season comes...

"Rosie Hopkins is looking forward to Christmas in the little Derbyshire village of Lipton, buried under a thick blanket of snow. Her sweetshop is festooned with striped candy canes, large tempting piles of Turkish Delight, crinkling selection boxes and happy, sticky children. She's going to be spending it with her boyfriend, Stephen, and her family, flying in from Australia. She can't wait.But when a tragedy strikes at the heart of their little community, all of Rosie's plans for the future seem to be blown apart. Can she build a life in Lipton? And is what's best for the sweetshop also what's best for Rosie?"

002: Heidi Swain - Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market:
The latest purchase and just as good as the last book I mentioned. I LOVE Christmas markets and this gives you all the nice feelings of visiting one without having to leave your sofa. It's told from a girl in her 20's which makes it more enjoyable in my opinion.

"Ruby has finished with university and is heading home for the holidays to save up for her trip around the world in January. Against her father's wishes, she takes on a stall at the local market, and sets about making it the best Christmas market stall ever. There'll be bunting and mistletoe and maybe even a bit of mulled wine. But with a new retail park just opened on their doorstep, the market is under threat. So together with all the other stallholders, Ruby devises a plan to make sure that Wynbridge is the first port of call for everyone's Christmas shopping needs. The only thing standing in her way is Ruby's ex, Steve. It's pretty hard to concentrate on saving the world when he works on the stall opposite, especially when she realises that her feelings for him are still there..."

003: Lindsey Kelk - I Heart Christmas:
Four words guys. Christmas. In. New York. If you want to move across the pond from little British villages to experience Christmas in the Big Apple. Then this is the one for you! Full of all the bustle of the city with added festive cheer, you'll love this one just as much as I did. A firm favourite!

"Angela's planning her very own fairytale of New York...
* Enormous Christmas tree
* Eggnog
* Eccentric British traditions
* Gorgeous man
But Santa's throwing her a few curveballs - new job (as if it's not mental enough already), new baby-craze from her best friend Jenny, and Alex determined they should grow up and settle down. Once friends start turning up uninvited on her doorstep (and leading her astray), can Angela really have a merry little Christmas? So much for happy holidays - something's got to give..."

004: Lindsey Kelk - A Girl's Best Friend:
ANOTHER book from Kelk and New York. This one is on par with the last one. If you love tales of gooey friendship and love reading about characters into creativity then this is for you. Full of fun, fashion and Christmas. Pick this up asap.

"After the crazy six months she's had, if there was a `clear history' button for your life, Tess Brookes would be the first in line to press it. When the opportunity arises to join her best friend, Amy, in New York for Christmas, Tess jumps at the chance. The only slight hitch is that Nick, the man who broke her heart, lives there. And Charlie, the man she turned down, has just started talking to her again. And she has just four days to take a photo for a competition that could save her career. But aside from that, everything is going to be great: it'll be the best Christmas ever. Won't it?"