
10 Cozy Reads for November
Curling up under a fluffy blanket with a hot beverage and a good book is one of my favorite ways to combat the doldrums that tend to set in during this darkest time of the year.
Remembering to be thankful and counting my blessings are also definite mood lifters. Maybe that’s why Thanksgiving comes along in November just before the craziness of the Christmas season. (That’s probably not why… but it is kinda serendipitous that way, don’t you think?)
Here are some favorite “warm fuzzy” books with themes of thanksgiving, family, and food– just right for reading in November. As usual, these are Amazon affiliate links which means I might earn from qualifying purchases. Click on the book covers to learn more about each one.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
This one is nonfiction. A very thoughtful reminder to notice even the tiny things around us that we have to be thankful for.
More than once I’ve challenged myself to list 1000 blessings and while I’ve made a valiant effort I’ve never gotten that many written down.
Here’s where I started the challenge in 2013… and then again in 2015.
The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Because no matter how long and dreary the winters are here in north Idaho, I’ve never ever experienced a winter like the one in 1880-1881 in De Smet, South Dakota. Re-reading this one always makes me so thankful for a warm house and plenty of food.
Check out my expanded Little House reading list.
The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr
Hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. Set in 1860, this is the story of a young entrepreneur who decides he could make his fortune by herding 1000 turkeys from Missouri to Colorado.
Not only is it an entertaining story but it has underlying themes of overcoming a learning disability and a dysfunctional bio family. One of our homeschool favorites!
An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott
I haven’t yet read this short story by Louisa May Alcott but it looks like it would be a good one to read in one sitting.
This edition is free on Kindle.
A Quilter’s Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini
This is another one I haven’t read yet, though I have read a couple of books in the Elm Creek Quilt series and enjoyed them. This story takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas and has to do with a cornucopia heirloom.
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace
Emily is a character in the Betsy-Tacy series but this time she gets her own book. It is set in 1912. Emily has recently graduated from high school but instead of going off to college like her friends do, she chooses to stay home and take care of her grandfather.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read this one, but as I recall it does have some holiday scenes in it, so I think it will be a good one for my November reading list.
A Lesson in Hope by Philip Gulley
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Harmony series by Philip Gulley about a Quaker pastor and his congregation. As a spin-off series he has now moved from Harmony to a community called Hope. This is the second of the Hope series. I’ve read the first one and didn’t enjoy it as much as the Harmony series, but I’m willing to give this one a try.
I mean, how can you resist the turkey dinner cover picture?
Miss Julia Stirs up Trouble by Ann B. Ross
For pure entertainment, the Miss Julia series is definitely one of my favorites. In this installment Miss Julia visits her friends one by one to collect recipes for a cookbook she’s compiling. Each recipe either has a backstory or somehow fits the personality of the friend submitting it.
So much fun! It’s a cookbook within a novel, if you will.
Head of the House by Grace Livingston Hill
Jennifer is the oldest of seven children. She is 3 months shy of her 18th birthday when their parents are tragically killed. Naturally the relatives want to split the children up. This is the story of how Jennifer takes them into hiding to wait out the weeks until she is legally an adult. One of my favorites by GLH!
Check out my Grace Livingston Hill page for others by this author.
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
What could be cozier than the Mitford series with Father Tim and his friends and neighbors? This first book in the series includes a chapter about Thanksgiving.
What cozy books would you add to my list?


6 Comments
Rachel Easley Going
Hhmm, I’ll have to double check, but I thought the Philip Guilly books were based on his experiences as a pastor or pastor’s son. One of the houses I clean has one of the “Hope” books and I vaguely remember them telling me about it. I’ll pay more attention to it when I go clean this week. haha And I never thought about reading “warm and cozy” books related to the holidays. Great idea. P.S. your new picture is cute!
Kathryn
My kiddos love The Great Turkey Walk! I love the idea of having a book list for the themes of Thanksgiving – great idea.
Sheila DelCharco
What a great list! I have read several and recommend them wholeheartedly!
Natasha
I didn’t know The Great Turkey Walk tied in learning disabilities. Totally ordering it!
Kristen H
I have One Thousand Gifts on my to-read list! And I love the Mitford series! I think I need to go back and re-read them again. Cozy books to add to your list? Maybe mysteries by Agatha Christie?
Hope
I love this! I’ve added this to my saved links, so I can add some of these to my Kindle. ❤️❤️