The last brown leaves are rattling in the wind, snow is starting to fall, and Thanksgiving Break is finally here. This is the perfect time of the year to check out some free-reading books from Ladd Library (or your local public library) before the mania of finals season picks up again and Bates goes into academic lockdown. Because Thanksgiving is the season for families, feasts, gratitude and reunions, I’ve included a collection of fun and interesting books you can find in Ladd Library that capture all or most of these holiday themes. Happy reading!
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book was explosively popular at its release in 2013, and has gone on to become one of the most influential environmental nonfiction books of the 21st century. Combining indigenous and scientific knowledge, Kimmerer draws on both her Potawatomi heritage and her education as a botanist to defend sustainable practices like the honorable harvest, reciprocity, the gift economy and gratitude. At a time of the year when gratitude and Indigeneity are both culturally relevant, Braiding Sweetgrass opens our eyes to perspectives on both subjects that are too often overlooked.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Now that the snow has started to fall, there’s no book more seasonally appropriate than Little Women. This classic novel follows four sisters through the seasons of their lives as they grow from girls into fully-realized adults. Together, they must navigate heartbreak, adventure, tragedy and young love, all against the backdrop of the distant Civil War. From its cozy depiction of New England winters to its emphasis on family bonds and charity, Little Women is the perfect choice for the transition into the holiday season.
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
November isn’t just about turkey and football— it’s also Native American History Month. Ceremony is one of the most classic installments in the Native American literary landscape, and well worth a read at this time of year. The novel follows a WWII veteran named Tayo as he grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and estrangement from his Pueblo heritage. Interwoven with a traditional story about Hummingbird and Green Bottle Fly’s journey to the Fourth World, Ceremony reminds readers of the importance of storytelling in the healing process.
