Five Books to Read for the Holiday Season

For some people, the holiday season is the time to unwind and slow down. It is when certain hobbies are revisited, projects put on hold are continued, and personal bucket lists are accomplished.

If reading books is on your agenda this holiday season but do not know where to begin, then here are a few recommendations to kickstart your bookish journey.

1. The Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho-Yeon

The theme of second chances is nothing new during this period. Read all about how a string of characters are given opportunities to reshape their perspective and materialize the goodness they receive.

2. DallerGut Dream Department Store by Lee Mi-Ye

For a whimsical read, DallerGut Dream Department Store is a strong contender. After all, it's a department store that sells people different kinds of dreams—happy, sad, and everything in between. At what cost, however?

3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

In the movie The Proposal, Sandra Bullock's character shares a Christmas tradition, where she reads Wuthering Heights. Our classic recommendation for the holidays is Little Women, which is a coming-of-age story that covers love, sisterhood, and family.

4. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

While science fiction seems like an unexpected choice for the holidays, the core messages of Dark Matter is quintessentially Christmas—family, gratitude, and forgiveness. It is an exhilerating read that you cannot put down.

5. Preview Volume 1: The Beginning

As we all welcome 2026, it is always helpful to pause and reflect on the year that has been. For Preview, one big milestone comes in the form of this special commemorative book, which celebrates three decades of the magazine.