Rooted in Story
Recommended Reading & Films for November 2025
Rooted in Story: Recommended Reading & Films for November 2025
This month we share curated picks meant to uplift, with stories inviting us to smile, to laugh, to love and to think. November carries a spirit of reflection, a time when connection, gratitude and remembrance intertwine. As the year winds toward its close, we find comfort in gathering to share stories reminding us of where we come from and what binds us together. It is also Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the enduring traditions, voices and perspectives of Indigenous peoples whose histories run deep in this land. This month’s books and films invite us to slow down, listen deeply and celebrate the many ways stories root us through laughter, through memory and through shared humanity. These choices are reminders of what is lost when voices are silenced and of the importance of keeping stories alive.
Books
1. The Librarians by Sherry Thomas (2025)
When a group of librarians tries to keep their secrets hidden, murder disrupts the quiet stacks. Mystery, suspense and a love of books collide in this inventive story.
2. All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert (2025)
A moving exploration of love, loss and liberation, inviting readers to reflect on living authentically and embracing new possibilities for freedom.
3. Both Sides of the Glass by Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka (2025)
An imaginative collection of cocktails and mocktails celebrating creativity, gatherings and the joy of sharing drinks together whether or not they include alcohol.
4. Writing for Busy Readers by Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink (2025)
A practical guide to transforming communication by focusing on how people truly read. With simple strategies and clear examples, it shows how words can capture attention and inspire action.
5. Native Nations: A Millennium in North America by Kathleen DuVal (2025)
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History, Bancroft Prize, Cundill History Prize and Mark Lynton History Prize. This sweeping history centers Indigenous power and sovereignty, tracing one thousand years of leadership, adaptation and endurance and offering a vital perspective on Native nations shaping North America.
Stories are more than reflections of who we are, they are bridges across generations, places and time. They invite gratitude for the voices coming before us and for the ones still finding their way forward. Whether ancient or newly told, each story this month invites us to look inward and outward, grounding us in connection enduring beyond time and circumstance.
Films
1. Sarah’s Oil (in theaters now)
Based on the extraordinary true story of Sarah Rector, an African American girl who became a millionaire at just eleven years old in the early 1900s. The film explores themes of wealth, resilience and racial barriers, offering a powerful look at ambition and identity against the backdrop of early twentieth-century America.
2. Now You See Me: Now You Don't (in theaters now)
A new chapter in the popular illusionist-heist franchise, this sequel introduces a fresh team of magicians pulled into a world where high-tech theft and sleight-of-hand mastery collide. With clever twists and playful energy, it follows a young prodigy finding her place in a world ruled by misdirection and spectacle.
3. Rental Family (in theaters now)
A heartwarming drama about a man who hires a “rental family” during a difficult season of life. What begins as an arrangement of convenience slowly shifts into genuine connection as each member confronts their own need for belonging, identity and community. Tender moments blend with humor to explore the universal desire to feel seen.
4. Wicked For Good (in theaters beginning November 21, 2025)
The world of Oz returns in this sequel exploring friendship, fate and the legacy Elphaba leaves behind. With vibrant storytelling and soaring music, familiar characters face new challenges while unexpected alliances form. Fans can also revisit the magic of the original Wicked, re-released in theaters for a limited time.
5. Back to the Future: 40th Anniversary (in theaters through November 20, 2025)
Relive all the adventures of Marty McFly as the beloved time-travel classic returns to theaters for its fortieth anniversary. Audiences revisit the iconic story of friendship, courage and the importance of believing in their own future, reminding us why this film continues to resonate across generations.