88 books like The Geek Who Saved Christmas

Cyrus is a man who has planned his success down to the most minute detail, including the type of girlfriend he should have. College, law school, career, and companionship have all been carefully orchestrated to contribute to Cyrus’ preconceived notions of what wealth and success look like. It isn’t until his girlfriend hires an unmatchmaker company to break up with him, and he meets Zora (an owner of that unmatchmaker company) that he realizes he’s had the wrong idea about success all along, especially with the type of woman he should want in his life.

I love this book because it upholds the notion that happiness can’t be bought. No matter how much money and prestige you have, unless you know how to love and be loved, success can end up being a hollow victory. Besides the running commentary on what happiness truly is, this book is equal parts steamy… show more.

Max and Lina have a complicated history, to say the least. He’s the brother of her ex-fiancé, the former best man at Lina’s wedding, and he’s also the reason her intended groom left her standing at the altar. As she makes a bid for a prominent hotel’s business, she’s paired with Max on a marketing project that forces her to deal with the man that ruined her life. Determined to keep him from ruining everything again while indulging in a bit of petty revenge, Lina seeks to get Max to drop out of the marketing campaign. But as they spend more time together, she realizes that Max, who was the worst best man ever, might be the greatest love of her life.

I love this book because it’s rich with humor, heart, and culture. Mia Sosa does a terrific job of making us laugh, while still making us aware of… show more.

Duchess is a female rapper who’s worked hard to get to the top of her game. As a rapper, she’s reached the pinnacle of her success. As a skincare entrepreneur, she’s almost at the precipice of realizing her dreams when bad press caused by an unscrupulous adversary in the entertainment industry nearly topples her ambitions. An invitation to a charity performance for the Queen of England’s late consort is exactly what Duchess needs to erase the bad PR. At least she thinks this is a good idea until she meets and ends up having to stay with Prince Jameson, the patron of the charity events. Instant sparks fly, but as a member of the Royal family, Jameson’s life is entirely mapped out for him, and that doesn’t include falling for a savvy and outspoken Black rapper. The scandal could ruin them both if word of their relationship gets out.

Funny,… show more.

Even before he loses his memory, Diesel is a man who says what he means and doesn’t take foolishness from anyone. That usually works to keep people in line. Except when it comes to Mandy, it seems to generate the exact opposite reaction. Before his loss of memory, her stubbornness irritates him to no end. Once he’s lost his memory, however, that annoyance turns to outright attraction and lust. The humor in this story comes as Mandy tries to keep things platonic between them because of Diesel’s memory loss, and the fact that she’s convinced herself she can’t stand him. But as they spend time together at his snowy cabin, Diesel is intent on wearing her defenses down.

This is the funniest, amnesiac love story I have ever read. It’s emotionally messy and yet so adorable and sexy at the same time. The two leads are both alphas, which leads… show more.

At school Sam feels different from his classmates because he celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, but after talking it through with his mom, he realizes that he’s excited to be able to observe two holidays instead of one.

The book addresses a child’s feeling of being different because his parents have different religious backgrounds.

I absolutely love Hallmark Christmas movies! Much to my husband’s chagrin, I fill up our DVR with Hallmark movies every November and December and never manage to watch them all. Many of those movies have a royal theme with a prince or princess wanting some normalcy and finding love with an American “commoner.” I originally saw this book on a shelf at Barnes & Noble and knew it would be an enjoyable holiday read. The author didn’t disappoint as she spun the tale of a NYC cab driver and his younger sister who cross paths with Princess Marie of Eldovia.  

No list of the delightfully dark would be complete without an appearance by the preeminent gothic illustrator, Edward Gorey. Gorey’s wry, one-of-a-kind style brings to life (and death) John Updike’s dark deconstruction of 12 Christmas traditions. Though it’s now out of print, this title is a must-have for any Edward Gorey enthusiast, and for any fan of the unlimited imaginative potential when artists look beyond the lights of the holiday season to focus on the shadows instead.

The other recommendations on my list are titles that will help you if you want to calm yourself down, maybe even get some sleep, whilst staying in a haunted house. But maybe you want to lean into the atmosphere. If that’s the case, you need M. R. James. 

His ghosts are rarely glimpsed clearly, you get troubling hints of their appearance, or you just see the horrible things they have done to their victims, and that makes them all the more terrifying. In these stories, anything could turn on you: a doll’s house, your Latin homework, the advert you see on your daily commute. Proceed with caution.

This is one of the funniest fake dating stories I’ve ever read with so many delightfully cringe-worthy moments. Olive is such a relatable character and Miles is everything you could want in a leading man. I was laughing every step of the way as these two workplace rivals fake-date their way through Christmas at a lodge in Vermont, surrounded by family members on both sides who have no idea it’s all pretend.

The setting is perfection. Cindy Steel does a great job making you feel like you’re actually sipping cocoa in front of a Christmas tree with snowflakes falling outside your window. It’s the perfect cozy holiday rom-com!

A family reading session bathed in the glow of the Christmas tree lights is one of my traditional activities during the Christmas season.

I like this anthology because the selected stories are the perfect length – neither too short to disappoint the older members of the family nor too long to lose the attention of the younger ones. I am also fond of the illustrations which perfectly illustrate the classic stories in a contemporary style, and enthrall young listeners.

I would recommend this collection for any family Christmas gathering.