literary gluttony

The Sunday before Christmas exists in a strange little pocket of time. The house smells faintly of pine and tape adhesive. There are lists everywhere. Someone needs something last-minute. Someone else is already tired. And somehow, in between wrapping paper explosions and calendar alerts, you still want to read.

This is not the time for dense epics or emotionally devastating doorstoppers. This is reading for in between—between errands, between guests, between bites of sugar cookies. These are books you can pick up, put down, and slip back into without losing the thread.

Here’s a reading list made for chaos-adjacent moments.

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🎄 Short Chapters, Strong Pull

For when you only have ten minutes—but want to actually enjoy them.

Books with short chapters and a strong narrative hook are perfect for this time of year. You want something that pulls you in immediately and doesn’t punish you for setting it down mid-scene.

Recommendation: The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

A cozy, winter-set mystery that’s easy to dip into, with manageable chapters and a familiar, comforting rhythm. Ideal for reading in stolen moments while something is baking—or burning—in the kitchen.

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❄️ Vibes Over Plot

For when you want atmosphere more than action.

Sometimes the story doesn’t need to go anywhere fast. It just needs to feel right. Snowy settings, quiet moments, and an overall sense of calm can be more appealing than twisty plots this close to Christmas.

Recommendation: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Short, quiet, and deeply atmospheric, this is a book you can read in brief sittings while still feeling fully immersed. It’s reflective, wintery, and lingers long after you’ve closed the cover.

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🎁 The One You’re Saving Just for You

This is the book you’ve been holding back—the one that feels indulgent, personal, or perfectly timed. It’s not for a challenge or a deadline. It’s just for you, when the house finally gets quiet.

Recommendation: The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Warm, comforting, and unapologetically festive, this is a perfect reward read for the week ahead. It’s cozy without being demanding and feels like a gentle exhale when everything else feels loud.

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The Sunday before Christmas doesn’t ask for perfection. It asks for patience, flexibility, and small pockets of joy. Reading doesn’t have to be ambitious or productive right now. It just has to fit.

What’s the book you’re sneaking in between the wrapping paper and the chaos this week?