3 Feel-Good Books to Read During the Holidays
Holiday Reads
The holiday season usually makes most of us reach out for cozy reads. We all yearn for the feel-good books; those festive themed books like The Pumpkin Spice Café or pastel colored feel-good books, such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold, or What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. They’re cute, easy, soft, and they definitely have their place.
But, mild honesty here, despite being aesthetically pleasing and safe, these cozy feel-good books don’t fully hit that spot, at least not for me. These aren’t the books I think about once I finish them, and for my cozy reads, I need that lasting connection. I believe feel-good books also need to have a little substance. Assuming there are others like me who yearn for meaningful cozy holiday reads, I have put together this list of 3 feel-good fiction books that are cozy and easy to read, but still full of heart, character, and meaning.
I’ve also posted 3 Top-rated Children’s Books You Need to Read Now that are perfect for the holidays, whether you want something simple, magical, or simply joyful to balance your TBR.
1. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
I’m Eleanor Oliphant. I don’t need anyone else – there’s no big hole in my life, no missing part of my own particular puzzle. I am a self-contained entity.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a brilliant YA novel. It deals with mental health, trauma, loneliness, and healing, but in a way that’s simple and relatable for a lot of readers. Eleanor’s trauma is not presented as something abstract and intangible; it is rather a very familiar human experience, wrapped in awkward silences, dry humor, and painfully honest moments.
Eleanor is quirky, socially awkward, unintentionally hilarious, and deeply broken. Watching her navigate life is both funny and heartbreaking in the most endearing way. The novel has that YA-like simplicity while still carrying emotional depth, which makes it an ideal feel-good book for the holidays. It is weirdly comforting, contemplative, and a little introspective.
Perfect for readers who want:
✔ Emotional depth without a pessimistic ending
✔ A lovable, quirky main character
✔ Trauma and healing gently portrayed
✔ A reflective, hopeful holiday read
2. Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
It’s difficult to know when love blooms; suddenly one day you wake up and it’s in full flower. It works the same way when it wilts – one day it is just too late.
If you’re looking for feel-good books that could uplift your spirits instantly, Backman is a master. You can never go wrong with him. My all-time favorite book by Backman is Britt-Marie Was Here. It is about a slightly eccentric and socially awkward woman reclaiming her life, and learning to choose herself.
The small-town setting, quirky side characters, and gentle humor make the story uplifting without being saccharine. It’s funny, warm, and inspiring, and just the right kind of cozy for a holiday break. Britt-Marie’s journey toward self-discovery and small victories is a perfect reminder that it’s never too late to start over.
Perfect for readers who want:
✔ Uplifting contemporary fiction
✔ Humor balanced with emotional warmth
✔ A relatable protagonist finding herself
✔ Cozy yet meaningful storytelling
3. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
I mean the idea that women are always thinking of men. If a girl breaks off her engagement, everyone says: “Oh, she had someone else in her mind; she hopes to get someone else.” It’s disgusting, brutal! As if a girl can’t break it off for the sake of freedom.
A Room with a View is classic, romantic, short, and absolutely aesthetic. It’s a perfect escape to sunlit Italy. It’s sweet, light, and elegant, but also meaningful in subtle, clever ways. The story revolves around love, self-discovery, and societal expectations, all wrapped in gentle humor and vivid atmospheric descriptions.
One of the best parts of the novel is the beautifully written love triangle. It’s not messy or dramatic in the modern sense; it’s tender, thoughtful, and deeply human. Forster explores the tension between what we are expected to choose and what our heart gravitates toward, and he does it with such sincerity that you can’t help rooting for the characters. The romance feels pure and earnest, almost refreshing in its simplicity.
The narrative is super amusing, the pace is consistent, and the emotional pull is surprisingly strong for such a short classic. It’s an ideal holiday read if you want something soft, romantic, visually appealing, and full of old-world charm. It is short enough to finish in an afternoon, but satisfying enough to linger in your mind long after.
Perfect for readers who want:
✔ Gentle romance
✔ A beautifully crafted love triangle
✔ Aesthetic holiday escapism
✔ Short, fast-paced classic fiction
✔ Elegant, meaningful feel-good fiction
If you like my recs, check out my Top 5 reads of the last year, may be your next read will find you there!
Wrapping It Up!
These three novels bring together everything a holiday reading list should have: warmth, charm, depth, and that quiet emotional glow you carry with you for days. These are feel-good books, but not in the sugary sweet and instantly forgettable way, these books offer comfort while still giving you something real to hold onto.
These are not the books that fade the moment you close them, the stories stay with you in the softest way possible. They’re the kind of reads that lift your mood, spark a little reflection, and make the holidays feel just a bit more tender and meaningful.
If these recommendations speak to your reading soul, there’s plenty more to explore on The Reader Life, thoughtful book lists, honest reviews, and literary gems for every mood. Whatever your reading style, you’ll always find something worth adding to your reading stack.
