This time of year compels all of us to pause, reflect and focus on gratitude for the good things in our lives. OnThanksgivingand the days and weeks surrounding the holiday, many of us gather with loved ones to feast, enjoy each other’s company and kick off the winter holiday season.In honor of this time of giving thanks, PEOPLE asked a few of our favorite authors to look back on their year and ahead to another. Here’s what authors likeClaire Lombardo,Nisha Sharmaand Leah Johnson are thankful for.May this list inspire you to take a peaceful moment for reflection this Thanksgiving, too.
This time of year compels all of us to pause, reflect and focus on gratitude for the good things in our lives. OnThanksgivingand the days and weeks surrounding the holiday, many of us gather with loved ones to feast, enjoy each other’s company and kick off the winter holiday season.
In honor of this time of giving thanks, PEOPLE asked a few of our favorite authors to look back on their year and ahead to another. Here’s what authors likeClaire Lombardo,Nisha Sharmaand Leah Johnson are thankful for.
May this list inspire you to take a peaceful moment for reflection this Thanksgiving, too.
01of 18
St. Martin’s Griffin
“Above all, I’m thankful for my health and the health of my family. I’m also incredibly grateful for my career — I’ve had an exciting few years work-wise and feel lucky that my job as a writer is something I’m able to balance with being a mom to two young kids.”
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02of 18
Henry Holt and Co.
03of 18Alyssa Cole, author of ‘When No One Is Watching’ and ‘One of Us Knows'‘One of Us Knows’.William Morrow Paperbacks“I’m most grateful for the rediscovery of my love of writing. After years of deadline hell and multiple burnouts, both writing and reading had become stressful work instead of joyful work. This year, through activities with author friends and individual practice, I’ve reconnected with my love of the written word, which has nothing to do with my profession, and it’s been wonderful!”Buy Now
03of 18
‘One of Us Knows’.William Morrow Paperbacks
William Morrow Paperbacks
“I’m most grateful for the rediscovery of my love of writing. After years of deadline hell and multiple burnouts, both writing and reading had become stressful work instead of joyful work. This year, through activities with author friends and individual practice, I’ve reconnected with my love of the written word, which has nothing to do with my profession, and it’s been wonderful!”
04of 18Claire Lombardo, author of ‘Same As It Ever Was’ and ‘The Most Fun We Ever Had'‘The Most Fun We Ever Had’.Doubleday"This year I’m thankful for the minutiae — any small moments of empathy or connection, anything that cracks me up, any dog I get to pet.“Buy Now
04of 18
‘The Most Fun We Ever Had’.Doubleday
Doubleday
“This year I’m thankful for the minutiae — any small moments of empathy or connection, anything that cracks me up, any dog I get to pet.”
05of 18
Gallery Books
“I am so thankful to live in a beautiful seaside community that not only inspires my stories daily but is also so incredibly supportive. From schools to local businesses to — well, me! — my town of Beaufort, N.C. relentlessly cares for its own. And the sunsets over the water aren’t bad either!”
06of 18
Avon
“This year, I’m thankful for my health. I know that seems like such a basic answer, but the truth is, not everyone is blessed with a perfectly functioning body or brain. I needed some help and after years of trying to get it, I finally am in a place that I’ve always wanted to be both mentally and physically. If you do have wonderful health, my suggestion is to get up, stretch and take a deep breath before saying ‘thanks’. It’s not something to be taken for granted.”
07of 18Alice Feeney, author of ‘Daisy Darker’ and ‘Beautiful Ugly'‘Beautiful Ugly’.Flatiron Books“I’m thankful for it all. I think being an author is the best job in the world, and I feel grateful for that every single day. I am especially thankful this year for my dog, who sits next to me while I write and takes me for walks when I need a break. I’m also forever thankful for my readers — I wouldn’t be here without them.”Buy Now
07of 18
‘Beautiful Ugly’.Flatiron Books
Flatiron Books
“I’m thankful for it all. I think being an author is the best job in the world, and I feel grateful for that every single day. I am especially thankful this year for my dog, who sits next to me while I write and takes me for walks when I need a break. I’m also forever thankful for my readers — I wouldn’t be here without them.”
08of 18Christina Lauren, author duo of ‘The Paradise Problem'‘The Paradise Problem’.Gallery Books“We are incredibly grateful for the women in our personal and professional lives who recognize burnout, support breaks and encourage us to prioritize our physical and mental health. Without our community of women, we would be tired, uninspired, lost and lonely. With them, we are rejuvenated, driven, supported and loved.”Buy Now
08of 18
‘The Paradise Problem’.Gallery Books
“We are incredibly grateful for the women in our personal and professional lives who recognize burnout, support breaks and encourage us to prioritize our physical and mental health. Without our community of women, we would be tired, uninspired, lost and lonely. With them, we are rejuvenated, driven, supported and loved.”
09of 18Emma Rosenblum, author of ‘Bad Summer People’ and ‘Very Bad Company'‘Very Bad Company’.Flatiron Books“I’m thankful this year … for multiple (hundreds of?) seasons ofLove is Blind; that high heels are officially out of fashion (I’m old and my feet hurt) and that my third book,Mean Moms, is coming out this summer!”Buy Now
09of 18
‘Very Bad Company’.Flatiron Books
“I’m thankful this year … for multiple (hundreds of?) seasons ofLove is Blind; that high heels are officially out of fashion (I’m old and my feet hurt) and that my third book,Mean Moms, is coming out this summer!”
10of 18Kendare Blake, author of the Three Dark Crowns series and ‘Warrior of Legend'‘Warrior of Legend’.Quill Tree Books"Not book-related, but I am thankful for veterinarians and vet techs. So often they see us at our most stressed, and our animals at their most frightened, but they handle it with compassion and huge hearts. Even when we’re being totally unreasonable about the state of our Pomeranians’ haircuts.“Buy Now
10of 18
‘Warrior of Legend’.Quill Tree Books
Quill Tree Books
“Not book-related, but I am thankful for veterinarians and vet techs. So often they see us at our most stressed, and our animals at their most frightened, but they handle it with compassion and huge hearts. Even when we’re being totally unreasonable about the state of our Pomeranians’ haircuts.”
11of 18Neely Tubati Alexander, author of ‘In a Not So Perfect World’ and ‘Love Buzz'‘Love Buzz’.Harper Perennial“I’m grateful for the unity of the book community, which is full of lifelong learners and critical thinkers. The reading community, time and time again, has proven to be the people at the forefront of putting empathy, love and joy into the world.”Buy Now
11of 18
‘Love Buzz’.Harper Perennial
Harper Perennial
“I’m grateful for the unity of the book community, which is full of lifelong learners and critical thinkers. The reading community, time and time again, has proven to be the people at the forefront of putting empathy, love and joy into the world.”
12of 18Roselle Lim, author of ‘Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune’ and the forthcoming ‘Celestial Banquet'‘Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune’.Berkley“I’m thankful for my cat. Pets know your emotions — especially when cuddles are needed. My grumpy cat is family and, of course, is spoiled rotten. This tiny being brings me endless joy.”Buy Now
12of 18
‘Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune’.Berkley
Berkley
“I’m thankful for my cat. Pets know your emotions — especially when cuddles are needed. My grumpy cat is family and, of course, is spoiled rotten. This tiny being brings me endless joy.”
13of 18Alex Espinoza, author of ‘The Sons of El Rey'‘The Sons of El Rey’.Simon & Schuster"I am most thankful for books and stories and their power to help us understand the world a little better. I am also thankful for the strength and support my friends, my family and my community. They have given me so much.“Buy Now
13of 18
‘The Sons of El Rey’.Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster
“I am most thankful for books and stories and their power to help us understand the world a little better. I am also thankful for the strength and support my friends, my family and my community. They have given me so much.”
14of 18K.A. Cobell, author of ‘Looking for Smoke'‘Looking for Smoke’.Heartdrum“I’m so thankful for the circle of support I have around me. When I have my family and close friends to lean on, it makes all the good times better and the hard times far more manageable.“Buy Now
14of 18
‘Looking for Smoke’.Heartdrum
Heartdrum
“I’m so thankful for the circle of support I have around me. When I have my family and close friends to lean on, it makes all the good times better and the hard times far more manageable.”
15of 18Kimi Cunningham Grant, author of ‘The Nature of Disappearing'‘The Nature of Disappearing’.Minotaur Books“There’s so much I’m grateful for. Sunny days, cosmos blooming in November. Health, family, this humming season of life. Friends both near and far; great books and good coffee; and, always, new mercies, every morning.”Buy Now
15of 18
‘The Nature of Disappearing’.Minotaur Books
Minotaur Books
“There’s so much I’m grateful for. Sunny days, cosmos blooming in November. Health, family, this humming season of life. Friends both near and far; great books and good coffee; and, always, new mercies, every morning.”
16of 18Kwame Mbalia, editor of ‘Black Boy Joy'‘Black Boy Joy’.Delacorte Press"I’m thankful for libraries, the librarians that hand books to the people who need them and the parents and guardians who introduce their children to the wonders of such a special place.“Buy Now
16of 18
‘Black Boy Joy’.Delacorte Press
Delacorte Press
“I’m thankful for libraries, the librarians that hand books to the people who need them and the parents and guardians who introduce their children to the wonders of such a special place.”
17of 18Leah Johnson, author of ‘You Should See Me in a Crown'‘You Should See Me in a Crown’.PUSH"I’m thankful that, no matter what lies ahead of us, there are and will always be organizers and educators on the ground, helping us build a more just and equitable world.“Buy Now
17of 18
‘You Should See Me in a Crown’.PUSH
PUSH
“I’m thankful that, no matter what lies ahead of us, there are and will always be organizers and educators on the ground, helping us build a more just and equitable world.”
18of 18Seamus Kirst, author of ‘Real Siblings'‘Real Siblings’.Magination Press"I am grateful for my community and the support we provide for each other.“Buy Now
18of 18
‘Real Siblings’.Magination Press
Magination Press
“I am grateful for my community and the support we provide for each other.”
source: people.com