literary gluttony

There’s something magical about a good holiday table—food piled high, laughter drifting through the air, and the right mix of personalities to keep things memorable. And since Thanksgiving week is the perfect moment to daydream about gatherings (real or imaginary), I couldn’t resist asking the question:

If I could invite any fictional characters to my Thanksgiving dinner… who would get a seat?

Pull up a chair. Let’s set the table.

🪶 The One Who Helps in the Kitchen

Samin from Salt Fat Acid Heat
Yes, she’s nonfiction, but her energy is irresistible. She’d burst in with a bag of produce from the farmer’s market and immediately take over the kitchen—in the best way. The turkey would actually be moist, and the stuffing would be legendary. Also, she’d make everyone feel welcome.

🔥 The One Who Brings Drama in the Best Way

Nina Zenik from Six of Crows
Nina would arrive with pastries, stories, and a wicked grin. She’d charm every relative at the table, flirt shamelessly with at least three people, and absolutely start a debate about who gets the last piece of pie. The holiday needs a spark; Nina provides one.

📚 The One Who Tries (and Fails) to Keep the Peace

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter
She’d bring homemade rolls and a color-coded seating chart meant to prevent conversation collisions. It wouldn’t work. But she’d keep trying, bless her. Also, she’d absolutely end the evening with a book recommendation tailored to every single guest.

🕯️ The One Who Turns the Meal into a Heart-to-Heart

Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility
She’s the calm presence you need at a chaotic table. Someone spills a drink? She smiles. Someone brings up a thorny topic? She steers the conversation into gentle waters. She’d ask sincere questions, leave everyone feeling seen, and bring a dish that’s simple but perfect.

🍷 The One Who Shouldn’t Have Been Given Wine

Hunt Athalar from Crescent City
Do I need to explain this? He looks at the mashed potatoes like they personally offended him, insists he’s fine after his third glass, and absolutely starts telling stories he shouldn’t. Would anything get broken? Probably. Would we all enjoy it? Yes.

💬 The One Who Starts the Best Conversations

Evelyn Hugo from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
She would command the table without raising her voice. Dish out wisdom like it’s cranberry sauce. Drop one-liners that become family catchphrases. And by dessert, she’d have everyone questioning their life choices—in a good, glamorous way.

🎁 The Wild-Card Guest Who Brings the Unexpected

Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle
He’d insist he doesn’t want to come, show up dramatically late, and then charm everyone. He’d bring something homemade, probably magical, possibly dangerous. You’d spend the night wondering if the candles were flickering because of the draft or because he enchanted something by accident.

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🍽️ If they all sat at the same table?

Chaos. Joyful chaos. Good food, sharper wit, deep conversations, and probably one minor magical mishap—but honestly, that’s exactly the spirit of the season.

🦃 Your Turn

Which fictional characters would you invite to your Thanksgiving table? Drop your lineup in the comments—I’m genuinely curious who’d bring the best dish, who’d argue over the cranberry sauce, and who’d steal the last roll.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. May your week be cozy, your pages be good, and your plate be full.