9 Books On Living Gratefully: 30 Days Of Gratitude

ACROSS AMERICA — Thanksgiving is almost here. The holiday is traditionally a day to show gratitude for the blessings in your life. But why limit gratitude to just one day?

According to the experts, gratitude connects us to others. Adults and kids who live with gratitude are kinder and more generous. They're generally optimistic, enthusiastic and happy. They sleep better. As their aggression goes down, their ability to cope with stress goes up. Gratitude can also foster resilience, which helps us get through tough times.

Patch explores the intentionality of gratitude in "30 Days Of Gratitude." Come back to Across America Patch every day through November and read more about gratitude.

However, living with gratitude is more than saying "thank you." It’s a deliberate choice, experts say, to affirm goodness in the world. It’s not pretending bad things didn’t happen, but rather savoring the goodness in our lives.

Choosing gratitude each day takes awareness, knowledge and practice. It’s a skill we develop, and to hone that skill, Patch recommends starting with one of these nine books that showcase gratitude in useful, informative and creative ways.

1. “Words Of Gratitude” by Robert Emmons and Joanna Hill

About the book: Learning to experience gratitude involves the attitude of being grateful rather than reacting when good things occur. In a study, gratitude expert and researcher Dr. Robert Emmons studies participants who wrote about five things for which they were grateful. He found participants experienced more positive emotions and were more likely to help others than participants who wrote about the hassles and stressors they experienced during the same time.

Why this book: “‘Words of Gratitude’ is written in the sweet spot of tones, comfortably in between academic and intimate. While the authors outline some of the major gratitude research, it is described with minimal jargon in clean and simple prose. If you’re looking for a book that will work double duty, teaching you a few new things while also inspiring you to a gratitude-filled life, this is the book for you!” — Courtney Ackerman, PositivePsychology.com

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2. “A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life” by John Kralik

About the book: Inspired by a simple note his ex-girlfriend sent to thank him for a Christmas gift, Kralik thought he could find a way to feel grateful by writing thank-you notes. To keep himself going through hard times, he set a goal of writing 365 thank-you notes in one year.

Why this book: “A truly inspiring story and book about the life-changing power of gratitude and expressing it to others. It makes me want to practice gratitude more often by reframing events to remind me of what I already have been given.” — Amazon.com review

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3. “The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life” by Janice Kaplan

About the book: In this New York Times bestseller, journalist and former “Parade” editor-in-chief Janice Kaplan makes a promise to be grateful and look on the bright side of whatever happens. She realizes that how she feels over the next year will have less to do with the events that occur and more to do with her own attitude and perspective.

Why this book: “‘The Gratitude Diaries’ is a critical read for everyone in today's society. We have to stop ignoring what we don't have and take the time to appreciate what we do. Humans are always looking for the next best thing without enjoying what we have. ‘The Gratitude Diaries’ is a read that will improve many aspects of your life including your relationships, marriage (and your) job.” — Amazon.com review

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4. “Getting Back to Happy” by Marc and Angel Chernoff

About the book: “Getting Back to Happy” provides strategies for changing thought patterns and daily habits to bounce back from tough times. Through stories and advice, the book shows how to harness the power of daily rituals, mindfulness, self-care and more to overcome whatever life throws our way.

Why this book: “One of the best summaries of mindful living that I’ve ever read. Balanced and practical. Inspirational in that it really shows a path for working on these practices. I highly recommend it.” — GoodReads.com review

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5. “The Little Book of Gratitude” by Robert A. Emmons

About the book: Through easy practices such as keeping a daily gratitude journal, writing letters of thanks, and meditating on the good we receive, we can improve our health and wellbeing. This book discusses the benefits of gratitude and teaches easy techniques to foster gratitude every day. It also includes an 8-week gratitude plan.

Why this book: “Informed by roughly 15 years of rigorous research, the eight chapters overflow with wonderful wisdom in plain English showing the practical power of gratitude. The reader will learn much regarding the value of cultivating thankfulness. Moreover, this little book of gratitude includes a wide assortment of readily doable activities to help one develop a truly grateful outlook that enhances life’s blessings and buffers life’s hardships.” — Amazon.com review

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6. “'Tiny Buddha's Gratitude Journal' by Lori Deschene

About the book: Practicing gratitude has been shown to increase happiness, make us more resilient, strengthen relationships and reduce stress. “Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal” is an interactive way to spark those moments of gratitude and get us closer to being our best, happiest selves.

Why this book: “This is really a book that is never finished. The writing prompts really make you think about what you are grateful for. And it prompts you to consider things you would normally not. All in all very helpful in opening your heart and mind to living with gratitude.” — GoodReads.com review

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7. “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living” by Meik Wiking

About the book: Why are Danes the happiest people in the world? The answer, says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, is hygge. Loosely translated, hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a sense of comfort, togetherness and well-being. "Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience," Wiking explains. "It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe."

Why this book: “Everything you need to know about hygge and how to experience more in your life. Inspires you to look for the small, simple things that bring joy to your life.” — GoodReads.com review

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8. “Gratitude” by Oliver Sacks

About the book: During the last few months of his life, Oliver Sacks wrote a set of essays in which he movingly explored his feelings about completing a life and coming to terms with his own death. Together, these four essays celebrate the uniqueness of each human being and gratitude for the gift of life.

Why this book: “‘Gratitude’ is a short but profound reflection on life and death. Rather than focusing on loss as his life came to an end, Sacks reflected on those things that gave meaning to his life, including the joys and hopes, griefs and disappointments. All taught him something that gave meaning to his journey.” — Amazon.com review

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9) “Choosing Gratitude 365 Days a Year” by James Autry and Sally Pederson

About the book: Over the course of a year, Autry and Pederson challenge readers to see a source of gratitude amid the normal, burdensome circumstances of life. In a society consumed by fears of not having “enough”— money, possessions, security — this book suggests that if we cultivate gratitude, we may not change the world and its ills, but we can change how we respond to it.

Why this book: “As a daily devotion I really enjoyed this book. The authors did a wonderful job of showing how gratitude is a choice we have to make each and every day — on the good days and the not-so-good days as well.” — Amazon.com review

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Interested in children’s books on gratitude? Try this list:

• "An Awesome Book Of Thanks" by Dallas Clayton
• "The Thankful Book" by Todd Parr
• "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson
• "Sylvester And The Magic Pebble" by William Steig
• "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?" by Dr. Suess
• "Just So Thankful" by Mercer Mayer
• "The Most Thankful Thing" by Lisa McCourt
• "Thanks A Million" by Nikki Grimes

RELATED: Teach Kids To Be Grateful By Example: 30 Days Of Gratitude