Who can believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner? I certainly can’t. But I couldn’t be more thrilled! Whether waiting for the turkey to be done, relaxing after shopping or about to hit a turkey coma, it’s the perfect time for book lovers like ourselves to reach for a festive read. You’ll find my recommendations for Thanksgiving weekend below!
Gratitude
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Mostly because I really, really enjoy food. But there are a lot of other nice things about it, too. The autumn atmosphere. Spending time with family. The start of the holiday season. Turkey necks… The list goes on and on. But one thing that tends to slip to the background is cultivating an attitude of gratitude. Even though the idea is right in the name! As so often happens in the holiday season the hustle and bustle of shopping, preparation and other activity takes up the bulk of our attention. This year I am making an attempt at actively giving thanks for the people and things I have in my life. If you’re interested in doing the same, you might choose to make a list of what you’re thankful for or perhaps you already have a tradition of sharing what you’re grateful for with your family at the table or some such, but I’m also including some literary quotes and books below that may help you get into the gracious spirit!
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” — Cicero
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” — A.A. Milne
The Gift of Thanks: The Roots and Rituals of Gratitude, Margaret Visser
Attitudes of Gratitude: How to give and Receive Joy Every Day of Your Life, M.J. Ryan
Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Robert Emmons
Feasting
As we all know, one of the most anticipated parts of Thanksgiving is the food! No matter what your family’s tradition is, there’s something so comforting about sitting down to a big meal with loved ones. These classics and modern classics will get you pumped up for a feast and might also pair well with your leftovers.
Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling (also check out the illustrated version of the same)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin
Coziness
I don’t know about you, but this is always the time of year when I start wanting to hibernate like a woodland creature. My den needs preparation and it’s time to start battening down the hatches and filling the place with all the things I need to make it through the long and blustery Minnesota winter. If you’re like me and are looking forward to getting cozy this winter or you need some help facing the long winter ahead, check out these books on how the Scandinavians do it! They know a little something about winter and are often ranked as some of the happiest places in the world. What’s their secret?
The Cozy Life: Rediscover the Joy of the Simple Things Through the Danish Concept of Hygge, Pia Edberg
Scandinavian Gatherings, Melissa Bahen & Paul Lowe
The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life, Anu Partanen
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living, Meik Wiking
Thanksgiving Fiction and Mystery
If you’re in the mood for simply Thanksgiving or autumn-themed, this list is for you. Pick up whatever strikes your fancy!
Walden, Henry David Thoreau
The Hotel New Hampshire, John Irving
The Thanksgiving Visitor, Truman Capote
Thanksgiving, Janet Evanovich
An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Louisa May Alcott
Harvest of Murder, Ann Ripley
The Cat Who Talked Turkey, Lilian Jackson Braun
The Accidental Tourist, Anne Tyler
Thanksgiving Night, Richard Bausch
The Ghost at the Table, Suzanne Berne
I hope you find something you like here! Let me know if you tried any of them! Or if you’ve read some of these already, let us know how you liked them.
Happy Thanksgiving!
