As I contemplated which books would put me in a Thanksgiving mood, I realized that my reading could really go in four different directions:
First, books that will make me hungry. Let's be honest, Thanksgiving is a gluttonous holiday. Unlike other candy-driven holidays, this one focuses on rich and heavy and warm and satisfying foods. I think I've mentioned before that I don't really love to cook, but I love to eat, and I also love to read about food. In that vein, I have two food books on the agenda this month: Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl (the former food critic for the New York Times) and Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach. I've already started Garlic and Sapphires since it is my book club's November pick, and I am gobbling it up (heh, heh). Ruth Reichl's rich and vivid descriptions of food make me mouth water.
Second, books that will make me think of America's beginnings. I am a big historical fiction fan, so I thought November would be the perfect time to read about the Mayflower, Puritans, and the first Thanksgiving. But I am drawing a complete blank on this one. Except for The Witch of Blackbird Pond, I can't think of a single book that takes place in America during the 17th century. I definitely would welcome any suggestions, and for all you aspiring authors out there, this looks like a niche that could use some filling.
Third, books that will make me feel cozy. As the weather turns cooler, there's nothing I like better than curling up in a blanket in front of the heater vent (we don't have a fireplace) with a good book. So many books could fall under this category, but the boys and I are reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, one of my very favorite children's books and which has just the right hint of nostalgia and sentimentality to fit the cozy bill. Plus, reading with two little boys squished up beside me is infinitely more cuddly than reading by myself.
Fourth and finally, books that will make me feel grateful. No genre does this better for me than memoirs. Two that I've read in the past that I would highly recommend for adding a little perspective and gratitude to your life are The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson. Another one that I've had my eye on for the last year or so is Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin. I hope I get some extra time to read it this month.
Hopefully, these ideas have sparked some ideas of your own. Please share any yummy, historical, cozy, or grateful books, and at the end of the month, I will compile all of them into a perfect November reads list. I know you must have ideas, so even if you've never commented before, let this be your reason to do it! Share!
I love your ideas. I always want something fallish/Thanksgiving and have a hard time finding something.
ReplyDeleteOne of mt favorite books ever is "The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness" by Joel Ben Izzy. It falls under cozy and grateful for me!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even heard of that one! Thanks so much for the suggestion!
DeleteI think Witch Child by Celia Rees would fit your historical category. I bought it on a whim in a Boston museum and it turned out to be pretty good. I love the rest of your list and the idea!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! That was seriously the hardest category for me to think of any books for, and that looks like one that would fit the time period perfectly. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteBoy do I feel like a slacker now for only focusing on food! Kathleen Kent's The Heretic's Daughter is set in the 1690's which I read and enjoyed. She also wrote The Traitor's Wife which is set a few years earlier.
ReplyDeleteI read Heaven is Here and loved it. I read Two Kisses For Maddy a few weeks later and almost didn't finish. It had an angry tone overall. I understand that he had lost his wife and was overwhelmed with his new responsibility of raising their child alone, but the bitterness he expresses toward so many people in the book turned me off.
ReplyDeleteOoohhh, books from America's beginnings! I completely agree, there are not enough of them and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" is a favorite and Speare also wrote "Calico Captive" and "The Sign of the Beaver". I think it was a more popular time period for fiction writers in the 70's and 80's. James Alexander Thom has many books from the 1700's, I think you either love him or hate him though. Johnny Tremain is marvelous. If you're going for classics there are always Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Fenimore Cooper (not my favorites) or Washington Irving (love). All things I'm sure you've heard of- but maybe I'm jogging your memory. This is sad. We really do need more current fare. I can think of more but this category is still pretty bare.
ReplyDeleteI did think of Calico Captive, but the time period was just a little bit later than I wanted...I was hoping for pre-1700. Thanks for all the suggestions.
DeleteOh I love this list! I always have a hard time of thinking of something "thanksgiving-ish" to read... so this is a great way of thinking about it. I will definitely refer to this list again in the future. Thank you for the ideas!!
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