The 2026 Thanksgiving & Holiday Season Reading List
A hand-picked list of books for readers to enjoy and give this season, from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Applications are now open to authors and publishers worldwide.
What it is
Every holiday season, readers look for their next great read and the perfect book to give. Our reading list helps them find it.
The Compulsive Reader Thanksgiving & Holiday Season Reading List is a curated selection of books we think readers will love this season: novels to curl up with, poetry to share, memoirs and non-fiction worth talking about, and books that make thoughtful gifts.
We read every application. Books that fit are chosen by our editors and published together as one list, organised by genre so readers can quickly find what suits them or the people they're buying for.
What you stand to gain
Every book on the list receives:
A place on the list
Your cover, a short description in our words and your author name on the published reading list page.
Newsletter feature
The list goes out in our newsletter to readers at the start of the holiday season.
A "Holiday Reading List" badge
A badge for your website, book page and social posts to show your book was selected.
Book club consideration
Selected books are considered for upcoming book club picks, author interviews and giveaways.
Selection is an editorial decision. Being on the list is a recommendation to readers, not an award or a prize.
Who can apply
- Authors & publishers
- Independent and traditionally published authors, and publishers, from any country.
- Books
- Fiction, poetry, short stories, memoir and non-fiction, including books that make good gifts. Books should be published, or available to order, before the holidays.
- Formats
- Print, ebook or audiobook. We may ask for a review copy if your book is shortlisted.
- Applying
- Send your application using the form below. We'll let you know whether your book has been selected.
How it works
- ApplySend us your book's details and a short synopsis using the form below.
- We readOur editors read every application and may ask for a review copy.
- SelectionWe contact the authors and publishers of the books we choose.
- The list goes liveThe reading list is published on the site and in the newsletter for the holiday season.
Apply to join the list
Applications are open now. We reply to every application.
The Compulsive Reader letter
New interviews, reviews and the book club pick, once a month. Giveaway winners are drawn from subscribers.