Christmas is still two and a half months away, but Christmas releases have hit the shelves. This always amazes me. It seems so early.

I’ve never understood why publishers release their Christmas books beginning in October. Even the local coffee shops wait to announce holiday flavors until at least November. Yet my newest release, Lighting Up Christmas, became available on September 29^th, beating even the October start date by a couple days.

As an author, I know writing a new Christmas story often means doing so during the heat of summer. And my husband rolls his eyes when I put up a small Christmas tree and play holiday music to set my writing mood.

But what about readers?

I’m one of the least scroogiest people I know. I can enjoy Christmas-themed movies, music, and books year-round. I’m not an early decorator, but my TBR pile overflows with holly and jolly by the beginning of November. Despite a full pile of non-holiday reading waiting for my attention, from November through the beginning of January, I read almost entirely Christmas stories. Rom-coms and lighthearted stories about the holidays are my favorite.

But am I the odd duck in the reading world?

I asked my newsletter subscribers to find out. Their answers have surprised me. Answers are still arriving, but for now, there seems to be an even breakdown. About one third those answering said they will read a Christmas story at any time of year. Another third said they wait until October through December for their holiday reading. And the last group indicated they wait until after Thanksgiving to read Christmas stories.

The three I have on my current list are not the contemporary rom-coms I usually enjoy at the holidays. Instead I have added Twelve Days and Twelfth Night by Sarah Sundin, The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White, and A Bookshop for Christmas by Heidi Chiavaroli to my pile of Christmas reading. They all have gorgeous covers that I couldn’t resist!

You’ve heard the stories topping my Christmas TBR list. Whether you’re already deep in your Christmas reading or just planning for what’s ahead, I’d love to hear about what you’re reading for the holidays this year. Bonus points (not that they count for anything, but still …) if you share some contemporary, lighthearted Christmas stories that I can add to my wish list. Even if I don’t get to them before Christmas, I can enjoy them in the new year because my readers have spoken and a great Christmas story is, apparently, never out of season.