With the holidays almost here, lots of people have days off, and what better way to spend it than by reading a few holiday books? And why not read a book that takes place during this season and includes a doggo or two?
Let’s take a look at eight great holiday books that include dogs.
8 holiday books featuring dogs to read this Dogmas
1. Dachshund Through the Snow by Michelle Medlock Adams
If you’re not interested in this holiday book based on the title alone, I don’t know what to tell you. As a dachshund owner, this book had me at the title. The picture book tells the story of Crosby, the smallest dog at the North Pole. But as the best borrower, he’s excited to enter the North Pole Animal Olympics and dig his way to gold.
2. The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish
Looking for some romance? The Holiday Trap may be the perfect holiday book for you. The story follows Greta Russakoff and Truman Belvedere. Greta lives in Maine with her family who isn’t always understanding about what it’s like to be a lesbian in a small town. Truman lives in New Orleans with his huge dog and just had his heart broken when he found out his boyfriend also had a husband.
The two, with the help of their mutual friend Ramona, swap houses for a month and they find love and belonging in their new homes. But is love worth staying in a place far away from the lives they knew?
3. It Started With A Dog by Julia London
It Started With A Dog tells the story of Harper Thompson who desperately wants a promotion for Christmas and if everything goes right with her new coffeehouse, she should get it.
Enter Jonah Rogers. He’s trying to save his family’s coffee shop, Lucky Star, which is going to be more difficult than he imagined when another coffeehouse moves in across the street.
The two meet when they accidentally swap phones and discover they love lots of the same things, including dogs. It seems like they were made for each other…until Jonah finds out that Harper is the one trying to put him out of business. Their competitive sides especially come out when they go head-to-head in the local rescue shelter fundraiser. But will love prevail over their feud?
4. The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
The Winter Companion not only features a wonderful romance, but it also includes an elderly pup, two large rambunctious dogs that take him under their wing, and horses being born! But beyond that, the book features the love story of Clara Hartwright and Neville Cross.
Clara is the companion of one of the people at the coastal abbey for the holidays and Neville works with the animals at the abbey but he’s also best friends with the owner and many of the people visiting for Christmas. He struggles with his speech due to a childhood accident and doubts his abilities. But when it comes to Clara, will he be able to put that doubt aside and be brave for love? (He totally is!)
5. Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey and Claire Shorrock
In Snow Globe Wishes, you’re able to follow a young girl as she wishes on a snow globe and when she wakes up in the morning, there isn’t only snow, but her busy family, as long as most of the people and animals in town, stop and take time to play outside with her. This lyrical picture book is the perfect read on a winter day with your kids.
6. Latke the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer
Hanukkah just arrived and what better way to spend it than by reading about Latke the Lucky Dog? The book follows Latke, a rescue dog who was adopted on the first day of Hanukkah. He experiences a series of troubles (he eats cookies he’s not supposed to and tears up a toy!), but despite all his mishaps, he still realizes that he is one lucky dog with a wonderful family.
7. All I Want For Christmas by Maggie Knox
Sadie and Max discover they are contestants on a reality singing show. Each of them thinks they have finally achieved their big break. Wrong! They are paired up to duet and the fans decide that they must be together. Unfortunately, they aren’t but the network decides that they must fake their relationship or they have to leave the show.
They decide to fake a relationship which wouldn’t be too hard except…they hate each other. When they have to take an unexpected trip to Banff together (with Max’s dog), they may just find out that their hatred might just turn into love.
8. Pride and Puppies by Lizzie Shane
Ok, this doesn’t exactly take place during the holidays but when I found a Pride and Prejudice retelling with dogs, I wasn’t going to leave it off the list. This retelling follows Dr. Charlotte Rodriguez. She is single once again and she blames Jane Austen. Every time she thinks she’s found her Mr. Darcy, he turns out to be awful. So she decides to put all her love into her new puppy, Bingley.
For advice on how to care for her dog, she goes to her neighbor George Leneghan. He’s sweet, nice, and patient. The absolute opposite of Mr. Darcy. And Charlotte quickly catches feelings. But as soon as she figures out what she really wants, George announces he’s moving. Did Charlotte wait too long for her chance at love?
Have you read any of these holiday books? Are there any other holiday books including dogs and that you think should be on this list?