On Giving Thanks

Here's a selection of titles from our collection about the practice, effects, and even science of giving thanks:

365 Thank Yous : The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life by John Kralik (Hyperion, 2010) - The memoir of a 53-year-old man who, after going through a period of many troubles, decided to try to feel grateful by writing a thank-you note a day to the people in his life who had been good to him.

The Gift of THANKS : The Roots and Rituals of Gratitude by Margaret Visser (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009) - "This fascinating inquiry into all aspects of gratitude ranges from the unusual determination with which parents teach their children to thank, ... to the ways different cultures handle the complex matters of giving, receiving, and returning favors and presents."[from the dust jacket]

Living Life as a Thank You : The Transformative Power of Daily Gratitude by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons (Viva Editions, 2009) - Believing that gratitude can foster courage, forgiveness, and belonging, the authors offer suggested practices, motivational quotes, and stories of individuals changed by thankfulness.

Thanks! : How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. (Houghton Mifflin , 2007) -   Emmons summarizes research showing that practicing grateful thinking contributes to greater happiness and health and to better relationships.  He offers perspectives on gratitude from literature, psychology, religion and anthropology; inspirational stories; and guidelines for grateful living.

Happy Thanksgiving!