Books Set in Edinburgh: A Year in Reading the City
December calls for something festive, cosy, and entirely escapist, and for that, I’ve chosen Jenny Colgan’s The Christmas Bookshop. This charming novel is a perfect seasonal read, set against a snowy Edinburgh backdrop. It combines romance, humour, and the small pleasures of city life, creating a story that feels both personal and wonderfully timeless.
A Festive Escape in Edinburgh
The novel follows Carmen, who, after losing her department store job, moves to Edinburgh to help her sister run a struggling bookshop. What follows is a gentle tale of personal growth, community, and Christmas magic. Colgan’s Edinburgh is charmingly idealised: cobbled streets dusted with snow, twinkling lights, and the comforting bustle of small businesses.
The story doesn’t dwell on the hardships of city life; it’s deliberately escapist, highlighting warmth, generosity, and human connection. Carmen’s interactions — helping the shop, navigating romance, and seeing the potential in others — create a sense of goodwill and festive cheer. It’s exactly the kind of book that makes you want to wrap up in a scarf with a cup of mulled wine and wander the streets of Edinburgh in December.
Colgan’s prose is light, engaging, and funny. The characters feel real, even when gently exaggerated for comic or heartwarming effect. For me, The Christmas Bookshop earns 4/5 stars: it’s not groundbreaking literature, but it perfectly delivers comfort, charm, and seasonal joy — exactly what I want from a Christmas read.
Where to Explore: Edinburgh for the Christmas Book Lover
One of the pleasures of reading a book so rooted in its city is tracing the streets, shops, and small details that bring it to life. In Edinburgh, Stockbridge and the surrounding New Town neighbourhoods perfectly capture the novel’s atmosphere. Here’s how to get into the festive spirit:
1. Golden Hare Books, Stockbridge
Golden Hare is a beautiful independent bookshop, full of character and charm. Browsing its shelves feels like stepping into Carmen’s Edinburgh bookshop. Pick up a festive read, wander between stacks of novels and gifts, and enjoy the calm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and the shop itself has that comforting, bookish magic Colgan captures so well.
2. Circus Lane
This tiny cobbled street in Stockbridge is straight out of a Christmas postcard. Twinkling lights, narrow stone walls, and the hushed feeling of a street tucked away from the bustle of the city — it’s easy to imagine characters walking here between errands, or perhaps sneaking a moment of quiet. It’s magical in the winter, and perfect for a festive wander.
3. Boutique shops and delis in Stockbridge
After visiting Golden Hare and Circus Lane, take time to explore Stockbridge’s small streets and independent stores. Pop into Mellis Cheese for festive treats, browse Meander for unique gifts, or enjoy a hot chocolate at one of the local cafés. These shops give a sense of community, attention to detail, and small delights that echo the book’s heartwarming spirit. They remind you that Edinburgh isn’t just grand architecture and tourist trails — it’s about the local moments, little indulgences, and personal interactions that make a city feel alive.
Final Thoughts
The Christmas Bookshop is pure, light-hearted escapism. It doesn’t delve into the darker sides of Edinburgh, but that’s part of its charm. Instead, it celebrates community, kindness, and the small pleasures that make the city feel magical, especially in winter. Reading it before wandering the streets of Stockbridge, popping into independent bookshops, and enjoying the city’s festive lights brings the novel to life in the most delightful way.
For December, this is the perfect read: heartwarming, fun, and evocative of an Edinburgh that’s full of cheer, character, and charm. 3/5 stars — a novel that’s as comforting as a hot drink on a snowy afternoon and as enjoyable as a stroll along Stockbridge’s twinkling lanes.
