As Thanksgiving rolls around, I always find myself in awe of the amount of things each and every one of us has to be thankful for. Maybe it’s our families, our friends, the world we live in… even the books we read! Below I have complied a list of novels I am thankful for and why I am thankful for them. Enjoy and have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season!
THE WINNER’S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski
I am thankful for THE WINNER’S CURSE because it taught me that there is more than just physical strength. In this novel, Kestrel, the main character, is not physically strong and intimidating, but her mental strength and cunningness makes her a worthy opponent to any enemy she faces. It is important to remember in today’s society that often it is not what is on the outside that matters, but what is inside that truly makes the difference.
RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard
I am thankful for RED QUEEN because it taught me to better value my family. In this novel, Mare is extremely close to her family, and there is a time when she is taken away from them. Reading about that made me wonder what it would be like to be separated from my own family. I realized what an amazing thing family truly is and now cherish time spent with my own much more.
THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST by Holly Black
I am thankful for this book because of the whimsy it portrays. In today’s society, we are often told to go with the flow. Often, I see people become more mainstream and lose who they really are in their effort to conform to society. This novel does anything but. Between the characters, setting and plot, this novel is a standout in a sea of other mainstream fantasy novels and supports being unique and different.
QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Sarah J. Maas
Not only am I thankful for this novel because I had been waiting anxiously for its release, but also because it showcases a variety of powerful women. This installment in the Throne of Glass series in particular portrays women not bringing other women down, but lifting them up to be stronger versions of themselves. Often, we find ourselves competing with each other and resort to bringing others down to make ourselves feel better. This novel firmly addresses that issue and made me realize that we do not have to bring others around us down in order to succeed.
