November Reads to Spark Gratitude and Lift Your Spirits
Jodi Delahunt Hubbell
As the holiday season approaches, we naturally reflect on what truly matters: family, friendships, and life’s small joys. Books offer gentle and comforting reminders of gratitude and the beauty in everyday moments. Whether you’re reflecting on your blessings or seeking heartwarming stories, here are a few books perfect for cozy reading with a warm drink by your side.
1. Happiness Falls, by Angie Kim
A moving family drama about love, gratitude, and the unpredictability of life. After their father’s sudden disappearance, a family learns to cherish the moments they once took for granted. Kim’s story highlights the strength of family bonds and the importance of gratitude, even in uncertain times. Available at the SaddleBrooke and DesertView Libraries, with large print at DesertView Library.
2. The Story of Arthur Truluv, by Elizabeth Berg
This novel follows the unlikely friendship between Arthur, an elderly widower, and Maddy, a troubled teenager. Through their bond, both characters discover healing, second chances, and the importance of human connection. Berg’s story is a gentle reminder of the kindness and love we can find when we least expect it. It’s a heartwarming tale perfect for anyone reflecting on the power of compassion. Available at the SaddleBrooke and DesertView Libraries.
3. Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman
This heartwarming novel offers a comforting reminder of how interconnected we are. It follows a group of strangers who cross paths during a failed bank robbery and hostage situation, but the real focus is on the human connections and shared struggles. Backman’s characters show that kindness and gratitude for others can make all the difference in difficult times. Available at the SaddleBrooke and DesertView Libraries and in large print and audio at the DesertView Library.
4. This Is Happiness, by Niall Williams
For those who enjoy stories steeped in reflection and gentle humor, this book offers a beautiful narrative set in a small Irish village. Williams takes readers through themes of love, joy, and community while celebrating the small, everyday moments that truly shape our lives. It’s a novel that invites readers to slow down and appreciate the quiet happiness found in unexpected places. Available at the DesertView Library.
5. Virgil Wander, by Leif Enger
This book is a tale of rediscovery and second chances. After surviving a near-death experience, Virgil returns to his small town and slowly reclaims a life he never knew he wanted. This novel is about community, hope, and the beauty in finding joy in unexpected places. It’s the perfect read for anyone looking to be uplifted by a story of resilience and gratitude. Available at the DesertView Library.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, these books remind us of gratitude, connection, and reflection and inspire you to count your blessings. As the days grow shorter, they’re the perfect companions for a season of thankfulness. Enjoy!
Exploring Science at the Library
Virginia Bynum and Janet Fabio
Challenge your brain after a summer of beach reads and explore some books on science. The DesertView Library has books waiting for you on those scientific subjects you’ve always wanted to know more about.
Investigate planetary science with books by the University of Arizona’s own world-famous professors, such as Chris Impey’s Worlds Without End: Exoplanets, Habitability, and the Future of Humanity and Dante S. Lauretta’s The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist’s Journey to the Dawn of Our Solar System.
How about selenology (the study of the moon)? Read Rebecca Boyle’s Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are before next year’s NASA moon mission.
Learn about earth sciences in A Brief History of Earth: Four Billion Years in Eight Chapters, by geologist Andrew Knoll, or paleontology in The Monster’s Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World, by David Randall.
Did you know that only 25% of the ocean floor has been mapped? Check out The Deepest Map: The High-Stakes Race to Chart the World’s Oceans, by Laura Trethewey.
Computer and informational sciences are represented by Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future, by Jeremy Kahn, and Kyle Chayka’s Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture.
Medicine and microbiology are featured in Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery, by Theodore Schwartz, and Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human.
We all love SaddleBrooke’s views of the Catalina Mountains, but have you wondered how those mountains came to be? Plan to attend the Friends of SaddleBrooke Libraries lecture on Nov. 21 with SaddleBrooke resident and geologist Karen Gray. To learn more about local geology, not just the Catalina Mountains, look no further than the library’s Southwest collection. You’ll find a treasure trove of more than a dozen books about Arizona’s geological features, such as Sabino Canyon, Chiricahua National Monument, and the Mogollon Rim. A more general guide is Natural Landmarks of Arizona, by David Yetman. Learn how Arizona’s natural monuments were formed, along with more recent history of each.
The biggest and best-known geological feature in Arizona is the Grand Canyon. In the library’s unique and comprehensive National Parks collection you’ll find a number of beautiful and informative books about this geological wonder. In addition to the geology of the Grand Canyon, there are helpful guides for planning a visit, hiking the established trails, or learning about the canyon’s colorful history.
To easily find subjects and titles, use the keyword search in the library’s online catalog or ask a friendly and knowledgeable library volunteer. Access the library catalog using the link on the library website sblibraries.com. Books can be reserved for quick pick-up. But if you can, take a few minutes and browse the shelves. Nonfiction books are grouped by subject.
Cooler fall weather is a good time to explore a new topic and learn more about the world around us.