November feels like a quiet pause — that moment between the rush of autumn and the sparkle of the holidays when everything seems to whisper, slow down. It’s the perfect time to take stock, breathe, and notice the good that has carried us through the year.

And let’s be honest — it’s been a rough year. For many of us, the pace, the pressure, and the unexpected challenges have been relentless. That’s why reflection matters now more than ever. Looking back with gratitude helps us see not just what we’ve endured, but what has sustained us: small acts of kindness, creative sparks, shared laughter, and the stories that reminded us we weren’t alone.

This month’s Not Quite Superhuman Reading Challenge theme, Gratitude & Reflection, invites us to notice those things. Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand. It can be as simple as a shared story, a kind word, or a memory that makes you smile.

And this month, I’ve intentionally included a few children’s titles in the mix.
Because gratitude isn’t a grown-up skill — it’s a human one.
Picture books and middle-grade stories often capture profound truths in the simplest language. They remind us that wonder, kindness, and reflection are not things we outgrow; they’re practices we return to when life feels too complicated. Sometimes, the most powerful lessons come from a bear saying thanks or a frog saying goodbye.

So whether you pick up a modern fable, a timeless classic, or a bit of pop psychology, let this month’s reading help you reconnect with what carried you through — and what’s still keeping you grounded.

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📖 Fiction

1. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
   A beautifully illustrated meditation on kindness, courage, and the beauty of simple moments.
2. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
   Imagination, grace, and gratitude even in hardship—proof that perspective is power.
3. City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
   A tender picture book about friendship, change, and gratitude through the seasons of life.
4. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
   A delightful story for all ages about generosity, community, and the joy of giving.
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
   A whimsical, heartwarming tale of found family and learning to see goodness in yourself and others.
6. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
   A moving fable about transformation, love, and gratitude for life’s imperfect journeys.

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🌿 Nonfiction

1. The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price
   A playful reminder that joy, connection, and presence are the roots of gratitude.
2. Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross
   Research and reflection on how creativity rewires our brains for meaning and mindfulness.
3. Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Chane, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David
   A practical, science-based approach to embracing emotions and cultivating well-being.
4. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
   A celebration of curiosity, courage, and creative gratitude.
5. Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert Emmons
   A foundational work blending psychology and practice to show how gratitude transforms the mind.
6. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler
   A timeless guide to joy, compassion, and reflection through Buddhist philosophy and psychology.

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✨ Try This

This month, pair your reading with a gratitude ritual:

• Write down one moment each day that made you feel thankful.
• Revisit a book you loved as a child and reflect on what it still teaches you now.
• Or simply pause at the end of a chapter and ask, What in my own life feels like this?

By the time December arrives, you may discover that reflection isn’t about looking back — it’s about looking closer.

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What book are you reading this month that helps you slow down and reflect?
Share your pick in the comments or tag me on Instagram @jhopwood80!