There’s So Much to Be Thankful For

As the season of gratitude arrives, I find myself reflecting on all the little — and big — things that bring joy into my life. There’s so much to be thankful for, but one thing that stands out above all is the simple, quiet happiness that reading brings.

There’s a lot to be thankful for in life. I’m thankful for where I live, for having a job, a loving family, and a roof over my head.

But I’m also thankful for something that brings me endless comfort and joy — reading.

I’m thankful for authors who share their incredible talents and gifts with us—for the amazing new worlds they create that let us escape, even just for a little while. I’m thankful for the beautiful words waiting for me every time I open a book of my choosing.

I’m thankful for the publishers and editors who work alongside these amazing artists, helping to shape and share the stories we love.

I’m thankful that I can choose any book I want to read.

I’m thankful for libraries that give me the chance to discover books with nothing more than a library card.

I’m thankful for bookstores and the wonderful sense of escape they offer as I wander through their aisles, surrounded by shelves of shiny new releases.

I’m thankful that I can pick a book and talk about it with my kids.

I’m thankful that, for now, my biggest concern is what my kids are reading—and that my choices for them don’t affect anyone else.

I’m thankful for parents who care deeply about their own children’s reading choices, yet still understand that even if a book doesn’t align with their values, that doesn’t mean others shouldn’t have the chance to read it.

I’m thankful for banned books. While some may not have appreciated them, the attention brought to those titles often helps them find new readers and bigger followings.

I’m thankful for English teachers and librarians who work tirelessly to foster a love of reading—who remind us that all reading counts and that it’s important to find something you genuinely enjoy, cover to cover.

I’m thankful for bookish friends—the ones I can talk to about the good, the bad, the ugly, and yes, even the smutty parts of our favorite reads.

And finally, I’m thankful for my bookshelves — those little displays of joy that remind me of all the worlds I’ve visited and the ones still waiting for me.

Because really, when I stop and think about it, there’s so much to be thankful for.

Books have a way of grounding us while also helping us dream. They connect us to people, ideas, and emotions we might never experience otherwise. As I think about all the things I’m grateful for, stories and the people who make them possible always rise to the top of the list.

So here’s to the pages that comfort us, the stories that challenge us, and the people who make reading feel like community. Here’s to being thankful — not just for the books we read, but for the way they make our world a little warmer.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!