A Thanksgiving Dinner Reading Menu

At just 1057 words, this story about a vanishing  dream engineer is a quick dip into imagination. 

This eerie story also speaks of abundance. 

Ponder what belonging means with this maternal piece.

In these eight stories, Ma explores the bizarre and the mundane of the immigrant experience. There is the story of a woman living in a home with all of her ex-boyfriends, another of a ritual that calls for burying yourself alive to heal yourself. Dark and playful, these stories touch on themes of love, loneliness, and ambition. 

Behind a quiet exterior lies the simmering rage, sexuality, and vulnerability of church ladies. These interconnected stories explore the passions and questions of four generations of Black women and girls in The Church. This collection is particularly good for a Thanksgiving appetizer, as Philyaw has filled the pages with descriptions of delicious church potluck foods, especially that peach cobbler.

Dive into an imaginative collection that touches on conservation, environmentalism, loss, and family. Each of these nine stories is told from the perspective of a different animal. Vulnerable and hopeful, this collection is a touching read.

Conan O’Brien’s longtime assistant Movsesian finally writes her side of the story in this hilarious memoir. Filled with comics, horrible how-tos, bad tips, and plenty of personal stories of working for O’Brien, this book will have you laughing all afternoon.

This foodie-centric graphic memoir traces Knisley’s obsession with good food from childhood. Each charming story is accompanied by a family recipe, so maybe read this one during your menu planning phase.

Hilarious and reflective, this graphic memoir somehow weirdly captures what it’s like to spend Thanksgiving with family as an adult. Some of it’s a bit sad, sometimes you’re laughing so hard you can’t stop. Either way, you’re an amorphous blob and that’s ok.

This epic fantasy clocks in at 848 pages with a complex world, and four points of view to follow. Dragons, queendoms, and internal conflict — sounds just like my family holidays.

It’s still autumn, ergo it’s still Dark Academia time. This richly layered novel is part fantasy, part social commentary, set in an alternate Georgian Era Oxford.

This book is just the kind of cozy reading you want on a long holiday weekend. McEwan chronicles septuagenarian Roland Baines’ life through significant events — historical and personal.

Catch up with the residents of Beartown in the final installment of this Swedish trilogy. Everything is changing, yet somethings stay the same.

What happens after you’ve traded away everything to save those you love? Demons, apparently. Simi must fight to save her world, again, without losing herself.

Maud Blyth can’t let her brother Robin have all the fun. This magical historical romance-adventure is set on the high seas as Maud travels to New York, with a murder to solve.

Closing out Joshi’s historical series, this novel takes Radha to 1970s Paris as a master perfumer. When Radha must travel abroad for a project, a secret could upend everything she’s worked for.

Twelve years after pledging to return to each other, Dunni and Obinna unexpectedly reunite at a wedding in Nigeria. When all those fluttery high school butterfly feelings come back, Dunni and Obinna find they may be willing to make good on their promise.

This cozy holiday romance encapsulates love and good cheer all around. Greta wants to get away from her family’s togetherness and Truman needs space after a breakup. Swapping houses is just what they need, and finding love is just what they don’t expect.

What’s a family dinner without a little career drama talk? When Margot’s one night stand turns out to be the winery’s latest hire, she’s determined to be professional. Except Luke is everything she’s ever wanted in a partner and their chemistry is undeniable. Can they sort out their feelings for each other or will things turn to vinegar?