There is a growing movement I've seen on social media of people who are upset people start celebrating Christmas in November. I am not one of those people, I started listening to Christmas music in September this year - which is a little late, typically I start in August. However, for the Thanksgiving in November people, I have found it's hard to get in the Thanksgiving spirit because there aren't a lot of Thanksgiving traditions or media things out there to do it. Yes, being thankful is something we should be doing year-round, that much is a given. But even looking for Thanksgiving-themed books seemed near impossible, since there are not a lot of them out there. So here are some books I love that have scenes that take place during Thanksgiving, to help get into the spirit for this week.
1. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Lara Jean's Thanksgiving scene in this book is a fantastic way to look at grief. As she's preparing the dinner, it allows her to reflect on her mom's death and how it's shaped her. It's an emotional scene, but one that's so important to Lara Jean's characterization that it makes it worth reading. And of course, the rest of the book is a cute YA romcom and is one of my favorite books to recommend to people who want something light and fluffy.
To All The Boys I've Loved Before is available through Simon & Schuster
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time. It was life-changing for me when it came to how I viewed my relationship with depression, and I have a tattoo of a quote from the book. Charlie is a character I deeply relate to, and as a result, his thoughts on Thanksgiving are ones I find interesting. The idea of loving someone but not liking them is one a lot of people don't think about much but is one that is shown in the book in a fascinating way. It's not something I understand, as I get along with my family. However, for some people, it may be helpful to see it written down in an understandable way, as it may help with sorting through some of those conflicting emotions.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is available through Simon & Schuster
3. The Martian by Andy Weir
What does Thanksgiving look like when you're fighting for your life on Mars? Andy Weir answered this question within his novel, The Martian, which is one of my favorite science fiction reads of all time. The science in the story is complex but explained in a way that's easy to understand. And Mark's Thanksgiving on Mars is one of those times where the science behind the novel shines through - making it a fun read for the holiday.
The Martian is available through Penguin Random House