What book to read, based on your favourite Christmas song

Christmas songs tend to elicit strong emotions: sometimes, they remind you of that special someone you’ll see over the holidays, or someone you’ll miss dearly; other times, they bring deep feelings of sadness or loneliness to the surface; at others still, they make you want to smash up the perfume counter at the department store, or stuff your head into the raw rear of turkey, just to avoid hearing “The Christmas Shoes” again.

But most people have a favourite Christmas song, and most songs tell a story of some kind, and... well, perhaps you see where we’re going here: if you have a favourite Christmas song, chances are there’s a book just like it, so we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Below, simply find your favourite yuletide jam, and we’ll recommend the perfect read for you to unwrap – with nary a lump of coal to be found.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey

“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues

“2000 Miles” by The Pretenders

“Stay Another Day” by East 17

“Last Christmas” by Wham!

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

“Santa Baby”

Just kidding! Nobody’s favourite song is “Santa Baby”.

“Driving Home for Christmas” by Chris Rea

“Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney

“Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy” by Bing Crosby and David Bowie

“8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid 1984

Photos above: All images are Getty
Destiny’s Child by Kevin Mazur Archive 1/WireImage
Wham! by Michael Putland/Getty Images
Mariah Carey by James Devaney/FilmMagic
Paul McCartney by David Redfern/Redferns
David Bowie and Bing Crosby by Bettmann

Image: Vicky Ibbetson / Penguin