The best holiday audiobooks for making spirits bright

There are few combinations more perfect than Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and the talents of English icon Tim Curry. The Victorian tale of guilt, greed, family, and redemption is matched beautifully by the dynamic (and, at times, appropriately chilling) narration. Curry performed the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in 2001’s Madison Square Garden musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and he brings the same stage-crackling energy to this performance. With the arrival of each ghost of Christmas, the listener can hear the indignation, fear, remorse, and then, finally, joy in the voice of Curry’s Scrooge.

J.R.R. Tolkien's wit and world-building extended far beyond his creation of Middle-earth. Each year, he replied to his children's letters to Father Christmas with whimsical missives. Collected here, these letters tell wonderful stories of Father Christmas's adventures in the North Pole and around the world. Warm and wonderfully narrated by Derek Jacobi with John Moffatt and Christian Rodska, this audiobook makes for cozy fireside listening.

This collection, compiled and edited by historian Dr. Bettye Collier-Thomas, celebrates the holiday traditions of Black Americans as well America’s rich Black literary history. By turns heartfelt, funny, serious, and whimsical, it features stories written in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Black artists, activists, journalists, and visionaries such as Langston Hughes, Pauline Hopkins, John Henrik Clark, and W. E. B. DuBois. Narrator Adenrele Ojo lends her accomplished voice to the entire treasury.

This treasure trove of more than 60 beloved holiday stories is made for immersing yourself in the festive spirit. Featuring works from classic authors like Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, Louisa May Alcott, and Beatrix Potter, The Ultimate Christmas Collection brings together timeless tales of joy, wonder, and reflection. Narrated by a cast of talented voice artists, this audiobook offers more than 39 hours of holiday cheer for listeners of all ages.

This inventive reimagining of A Christmas Carol is full of humor, heart, Victorian holiday cheer, and some endearing grumbling. Charles Dickens is not in a festive mood. The critics are railing against him, and it seems like everyone he knows wants money that he doesn't have. When his publisher asks him to write a Christmas book, he flat-out refuses. But everything changes on a walk through London, where he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy—a woman who reminds him what Christmas is all about. Actor Euan Morton, whose roles include playing King George in the Broadway musical Hamilton, narrates, impeccably.

This listen offers a fresh holiday twist on the classic boy meets the wrong girl. At last year's Hanukkah party, Rachel met a dreamy man, the sweet and charming Oz. But then her more confident, glam, and outgoing best friend swooped in, and Tamara and Oz have been dating ever since. Rachel does her best to hide her lingering feelings for Oz, but when he and Tamara finally break up—and he begs Rachel for help winning Tamara back before Hanukkah—well, Rachel can't keep up the charade.

This magical holiday romance is full of cozy treats, festive parties, and plenty of snowstorms. After losing his partner, job, and home in one blow, Alex decides it's time to leave New York and return to his small Michigan hometown to realize his dream of opening a bakery. He's immediately intrigued by Corbin, the quiet man who spends his afternoons writing at the table by the window. As they get to know each other, Alex and Corbin realize that sometimes the best holiday gifts are the unexpected people who come into your life at just the right time.

This holiday romance novella is full of mouthwatering descriptions of delicious baked goods—so don't listen hungry! Latinx bakers Kiskeya and Sully each arrive in Scotland for reality TV's famed Holiday Baking Challenge with the same goal: to win and prove that they belong in the culinary world. Assigned to work together despite their different baking styles, the two women are standoffish at first, but it's not long before sparks start to fly, in and out of the kitchen. Will the heat of competition and an unexpected betrayal spoil their chance to make a great team?

For a decade, Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt has kept a big secret from her Jewish family—she loves Christmas, and, under a pseudonym, has a career as a successful Christmas romance novelist. But then her publisher asks her to write a Hanukkah romance, and Rachel can't come up with a single idea. Hoping to find inspiration, she attends the annual Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration held on the last night of Hanukkah. She's surprised to meet her childhood rival Jacob there—and even more surprised that she's drawn to both him and the holiday she always thought she hated. Jean Meltzer delivers a warmhearted holiday romance about second chances and finding the courage to be yourself.

A holiday fling turns into a lifelong love in this delightful royal romp from Jasmine Guillory. Vivian is thrilled to accompany her daughter Maddie on a work trip to England, where Maddie will be styling a member of the royal family. Vivian is planning on enjoying some much-needed time off—she's not expecting to fall head over heels for the queen's private secretary, Malcolm. Vivian and Malcolm have no trouble navigating a steamy holiday romance. But when they realize they both want more, are they ready to take risks they never imagined?

29-year-old Niki has always played it safe, working a dependable job and dating practical men—even if they don't exactly make her heart beat faster. But when she's abruptly laid off, she decides to throw caution to the wind and spontaneously flies to India for a friend's wedding. There, amidst the light-filled magic of Diwali, she meets Sameer, a free-spirited London musician with whom she shares an immediate connection. As the end of the holiday season approaches, and with a new job offer on the horizon, Niki faces a decision: Will she return to her predictable life or stay and take a chance on love?

One of our picks for the best winter rom coms, Bright Winter Nights is a charming Hanukkah romance. Featuring a delightful dual narration from Andrew Eiden and Emily Lawrence, the story follows a pair of high school sweethearts who get a second chance at love. To avoid his matchmaker mother’s machinations, Adam, a driven business mogul, reaches out to his old girlfriend, Sara, a successful designer, to ask her to accompany him to his family’s Hanukkah party. For years, they've both been consumed by their careers. Before long, they rediscover the spark that first brought them together.

Whatever your favorite holiday, this YA anthology of holiday stories is sure to delight. My True Love Gave Me features a rich diversity of tales centered on a holiday—Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the Solstice among them—from 12 young adult authors, including Rainbow Rowell, Jenny Han, Holly Black, and the collection's editor, Stephanie Perkins. Read by Julia Whelan, Kim Mai Guest, and Lincoln Hoppe, among other expert voices, and full of themes of family, love, and friendship, these stories will warm you right up.

Can't get enough of holiday movies set in New York City? Then, you'll love this audiobook about two teenagers and their unexpected romance. Lily leaves a notebook containing a series of challenges on a shelf in her favorite bookstore. Dash, feeling lonely during the holidays, picks it up. What follows is a whirlwind romance full of adventures, dares, and dates all over the city, as they pass the notebook back and forth. An enchanting listen, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares is narrated in alternating voices by Ryan Gesell and Tara Sands.

Brought to you by Penguin.

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

A trio of today's bestselling authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle - brings all the magic of holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and kisses that will steal your breath away.

This children's book by Andrea Davis Pinkney makes a wonderful introduction to Kwanzaa and its history and traditions. Accompanied by traditional African music, Emmy Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard's engaging narration brings the seven principles of Kwanzaa to life. Kids will learn about the importance of unity, community, collective responsibility, creativity, faith, and ancestral stories.

This unique holiday listen uses the seven principles of Kwanzaa to explore African American history. Ibi Zoboi connects each principle to a different and equally inspiring real-life story. Read by the author and Hall of Fame narrator Robin Miles, the book includes histories of enslaved people in the United States and explores the rich cultures, rituals, and traditions that they built. A beautiful celebration of Black culture and social justice movements, The People Remember truly embodies the spirit of Kwanzaa.

This is an enchanting listen for all children and especially for families who celebrate the Lunar New Year. The story follows Sam, a boy who's trying to decide how to spend the money he received for Chinese New Year. Luckily, he meets a stranger who helps him make the right decision—and teaches him something about giving and generosity in the process.

This joyful book from bestselling author Emma Donoghue isn't about one particular holiday, as the Lottery Family doesn't celebrate just one holiday. Sumac lives with her two dads, two moms, and many siblings in a wonderful old house. Every year, she's the one who makes sure all the holiday rituals go according to plan. But when a visitor stays longer than expected, and her dad and brother can't get home to India in time to celebrate, Sumac learns that what's important about her family's unique mix of wonderful traditions can't be ruined by an ice storm or a power outage.

Alight with the childhood wonder of connecting with and loving those cherished stuffed companions, Margery Williams's British kidlit classic The Velveteen Rabbit has been breaking hearts and inspiring families for over a century. This holiday season, invite a little warmth into your home with Richard Armitage’s masterful rendition recounting a young boy’s beloved Christmas gift—the titular plush rabbit—as well as the pains of parting and the joys of recognizing his pal in the wild. This listen is perfect for families and those feeling a bit nostalgic during the festive season.