5 Books I’m Grateful For This Year
- Greer Sabin
- 12 minutes ago
- 5 min read
This year has asked a lot of all of us.
Between the noise, the pace, and the heaviness of the world, I’ve found myself reaching more intentionally for the things that bring me back to myself.
And for me, that almost always begins with a book.
If you know me, you know I am all over the place — going a million miles an hour, easily distracted, full of energy, and endlessly curious. No wonder my clients range from twelve to sixty-five: from overwhelmed students to busy professionals.
I’ve never been just one thing, and I doubt I ever will be.
But intensity needs grounding.
And this year — like for so many — grounding has been hard to find.
As the world has felt darker, heavier, and more chaotic, I’ve had to be intentional about reaching for the things that steady me.
For me, that almost always begins with a book.
Books have a way of holding you when nothing else can.
They offer clarity, comfort, and companionship in seasons that feel uncertain.
And in a year where the noise often felt louder than the quiet, I found myself deeply, sincerely grateful for the books that reminded me to breathe, to pay attention, and to choose hope.
They reminded me that there is still more beauty than cruelty. More small joys than sorrows. More glimmers than shadows.
On this Thanksgiving morning, I’m grateful for the five books that helped me look more carefully at the world and meet myself with more compassion.
They each offered something different: grounding, perspective, and a sense of peace when the year felt heavy.
1. The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life
Author:Â Suleika Jaouad
What it is: A collection of one hundred brief essays by a diverse group of writers, each inviting readers to pause, notice, and see life through a different lens. Every essay ends with a gentle prompt that encourages reflection or journaling.
What it gave me: Clarity and grounding. It pulled me out of my own thoughts and into a more purposeful form of writing — not the autopilot stream-of-consciousness I often slip into, but centered, intentional journaling.
Why it stayed with me: It created a sense of connection between the writers and me. The prompts nudged me into deeper layers of reflection, allowing me to write beyond the familiar stories I revisit about my day or my family.
Who might love it: Anyone who wants to deepen their writing practice, cultivate reflective journaling, or feel more connected to the craft of authors and essayists.
Author:Â Harold Kushner
What it is: A compassionate exploration of grief, suffering, and the search for meaning. Though Kushner writes from personal loss, the book quickly widens into a meditation on why pain exists and how we live with questions that may never have neat answers.
What it gave me: A clearer understanding of life’s inherent unfairness. Like many, I’ve long wrestled with painful questions: Why do babies get cancer? Why do people lose everything to storms or accidents? Why do good people suffer in ways that seem so arbitrary? Kushner’s perspective helped soften those edges and made space for a more honest, less punishing view of faith.
Why it stayed with me: It reframed God not as a distant architect of suffering but as a companion within it. Kushner suggests that free will means God is not orchestrating every outcome — an idea that allowed me to hold both grief and belief with less fear.
Who might love it: Anyone navigating grief, questioning meaning, or trying to reconcile compassion with the cruelty found in the world.
Author:Â Ross Gay
What it is: A joyful collection of short essays Gay wrote daily over the course of a year, each capturing a small moment of delight — the everyday kind we often overlook.
What it gave me: A shift in perspective. These short pieces reminded me that noticing the smallest joys can change the trajectory of an entire day. It helped me begin my mornings grounded in gratitude rather than urgency.
Why it stayed with me: In a world that seems determined to throw negativity at us from every angle, this book became an anchor in my morning routine. Each essay served as a gentle reminder to slow down, look up, and see the beauty right in front of me.
Who might love it: Anyone who wants a peaceful way to start the day, build a gratitude practice, or learn to pause long enough to soak in life’s quieter joys.
4. Bird by Bird
Author:Â Anne Lamott
What it is: A beloved classic on writing and life — part craft book, part memoir, part guide for navigating the messy, tender, unpredictable process of creating anything meaningful.
What it gave me: Encouragement, humor, and a reminder that writing (and living) is done one small step at a time. Whenever I felt stuck or overwhelmed, this book gave me both practical tools and emotional reassurance.
Why it stayed with me: Lamott’s voice is honest, witty, and deeply human. Her stories transcend writing advice, becoming guidance for living with more grace and intention.
Who might love it: Anyone seeking meaningful, strategic writing advice or relatable reflections on navigating life’s complexities.
Author:Â Michael Singer
What it is: A beautifully written guide to understanding your inner self, quieting the mental chatter, and learning to move through life with openness rather than resistance.
What it gave me: A reminder that everything I truly need is already within me. It helped me see my thoughts more clearly, without attaching myself to the stories my mind creates.
Why it stayed with me: For years, I’ve worried too much about what others think, creating noise and narratives that drain my energy. This book helped me recognize what is mine to carry and what is not.
Who might love it: Anyone seeking inner calm, clarity, or the ability to let go of noise and hear what is truly meant for them.
Gratitude Through Books
More than anything, I’m grateful for the way books create space — space to reflect, to feel, to rest, to imagine, to make sense of ourselves and the world around us.
And this year, I’m especially grateful for the books that helped me stay present, hopeful, and anchored when life felt loud and uncertain.
If you or your teen is longing for a reading practice that brings clarity, calm, and a sense of grounding, I’d love to help you find the books that speak to you and build a ritual that feels warm and sustainable.
Wishing you a peaceful, joyful Thanksgiving and a moment of stillness to appreciate the words, stories, and people who have carried you this year.