8 Bookish Thanksgiving Floats We Need Immediately 

Imagine your favorite book character as a float in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Discover 8 bookish characters who would fit in perfectly!

Just For Fun Pop Culture
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens book cover and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott book cover with a turkey and leaves, pumpkins, and acorns.

Thanksgiving is coming up, and we all know what that means: food… and the Thanksgiving Day Parade! Watching the Thanksgiving Parade before feasting on creamy mac and cheese and delicious turkey is a tradition for many Americans across the nation. Seeing the classic and new floats each year is so entertaining. 

However, the parade could definitely use some updates. We would love to see our favorite book characters as part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade! Therefore, let’s dive into eight bookish floats that would make us jump up from the couch and run around our living room. 

Aaron Warner from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Aaron Warner Anderson is one of the main characters in this dystopian romance series. He has a supernatural power that gives him the ability to absorb and amplify other individual’s powers. Aaron is the Chief Commander in one of the key bases in their world’s government. He is extremely powerful and adept in combat. 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi book cover with a blue eye that has trees, birds, and water coming out of it.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Although his powers and strength make him attractive, what makes him desirable is his love for Juliette. Juliette is another main character in this series, and she also has rare supernatural powers. Aaron and Juliette start as enemies, but he quickly finds himself wrapped around her finger. Aaron is captivated by her and is willing to do anything for his Juliette. 

Therefore, this one is extremely self-explanatory. We genuinely deserve an Aaron Warner float in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s only fair. The fact that we even had to wait this long is baffling. Aaron is the ideal book boyfriend who has romance readers head over heels. His appearance in the parade would send thousands into a frenzy. 

Lucy Gray Baird from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Lucy Gray Baird is one of the main characters in this dystopian thriller. She is part of a group of nomads that traveled throughout Panem. However, they got trapped in District 12 when the rebellion hit. Eventually, she is reaped as the female tribute from District 12 in the 10th Hunger Games. Coriolanus Snow serves as her mentor, and they become a Capitol favorite. The pair fall for one another, but nothing is simple in Panem. The 10th Hunger Games ends with Lucy Gray as the victor. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins book cover with a bird and a snake on tree branches.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Lucy Gray Baird deserves a Thanksgiving Day float in the parade. She got out of that arena (with the help of Snow, but we try not to talk about that) and stood on business. Snow lied to her, and she immediately knew it was her time to go! Let’s learn from Lucy Gray’s wise decisions. Sometimes, we give too many chances to a person who doesn’t deserve it. Therefore, her float would serve as a reminder to be a strong and independent individual. No to mention it’d be musical!!!

Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 

James Gatz, best known as Jay Gatsby, is the main character in this fiction romance. He begins his life in extreme poverty. However, he is determined and begins a journey to become successful. He quickly finds himself living in a mansion in West Egg, New York, as a very wealthy man. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald book cover with a woman's face and a distant city.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

This is what Jay Gatsby needed to get Daisy to notice him again. Let’s be honest; the parties weren’t cutting it. He kept throwing these huge lavish parties with the intention of her attending, but that never worked. He just kept staring at that green light from across the bay. 

Instead of wasting all that money on all those parties, what he needed was a giant Thanksgiving Day parade float of himself. This would have undeniably caught her attention. If your neighbor had a giant float of themselves, you’d be curious, too. So, Gatsby should have a float now. Not only is this what should have happened, but it would also serve as a recognition of the character. Jay Gatsby is an iconic book character, and his story will forever be adored. 

Claire Fraser from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 

Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser, commonly known as Claire Fraser, is one of the main characters in this historical fantasy. Her adventure begins while she is on a trip with her husband in Scotland. She accidentally time travels two hundred years into the past. She was born in the 20th century but finds herself in the 18th century. 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon book cover with a fancy gold crown.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Although she has a family in her timeline, she finds herself falling in love with Jamie Fraser. The two quickly become each other’s weaknesses. Although life is difficult in the 18th century, Claire doesn’t seem to mind it as much anymore. She is adept in medicinal knowledge and compassionately helps those struggling in the past. 

Let’s take a step back for a second. Claire Fraser is a mother, doctor, and time traveler. I mean, is there anything she can’t do? She juggles two completely different timelines while balancing her life in each one. I can barely balance my work and social lives; I couldn’t imagine doing what she’s accomplishing. Therefore, she deserves a float in the Thanksgiving parade. She is a hard-working and dream-chasing icon that we should all aspire to be! 

Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James 

Christian Grey is the main character in this dark romance. He is an extremely successful individual in the business world. However, he has a secret life behind the suits and ties. He indulges in BDSM and has a strict policy against bonding with the women he slept with. He refused to develop feelings, and everything was strictly physical. This quickly changed when Anastasia Steele stepped into his life. Anastasia reveals the emotional side of Christian, as well as his physical aspects. 

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James book cover with a gray tie.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Who wouldn’t want to see Christian Grey as a float? I think this would complete the entire parade. In fact, this would probably complete your Thanksgiving Day. Instead of having pumpkin pie for dessert, you could just look at Christian Grey’s parade float. Not only would it be terrific to stare at Christian as a float, but he also had an impact on the book industry. He assisted in paving the way for steamy and dark romances to come. Christian Grey also set standards for our book boyfriends, which is exactly why he deserves a float.

Kya from Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Catherine Danielle Clark, best known as Kya, is the main character in this mystery romance. Her family lived in a shack in the middle of a marsh in South Carolina. However, Kya’s parents and siblings abandoned her. She was left completely alone and was forced to sustain herself. Although she faced multiple hardships, she was able to make a name for herself and live comfortably. Kya becomes an extremely successful illustrator and author. 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens book cover featuring an individual in a canoe on a large body of water with a sunset.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Kya Clark is one of the most determined and fearless book characters I know. At such a young age, she was left to fend for herself in the middle of nature. However, that did not scare her. The marsh was her home, and she bonded with nature. In fact, it became her profession, as her books featured her drawings of animals and plants. She pursued a career that incorporated her passions. A Thanksgiving Day parade float would suit her well as it would represent bravery and courage. 

Percy Jackson from Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan 

Perseus Jackon, commonly known as Percy Jackson, is the main character in this young reader fantasy series. He makes an appearance in a variety of mythical series. However, the original series he is featured in begins when he is twelve years old. This is when he discovers that he is human and a half-blood who has supernatural capabilities. 

Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan book cover with a lightning bolt, a trident, and an armored mask.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

This float would bring back some serious childhood memories! These books were the talk of the town. All of my friends had these books, and we would all talk about Percy’s adventures during lunch. Everyone admires Percy Jackson, as he became a beloved book character in 2005. He also quickly became a classic book character. A variety of book series, movies, and television shows feature him. 

Therefore, this character is only gaining popularity! Percy totally deserves a spot in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We loved him as children, and plenty of children will continue to love him. He was part of our childhoods, and that will always stick with us. There should be a float to spotlight this classic book character! 

Jo March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 

Jo March, also known as Josephine Bhaer, is one of the main characters in this coming-of-age book. This storyline follows four sisters who are trying to survive the ongoing Civil War in New England. Jo is the second oldest of the March sisters. She is not like her sisters, as she is reckless and isn’t scared of getting her clothes dirty. In addition, one of Jo’s passions is literature. She loved to read and eventually became an author. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott book cover featuring four women and leaves with berries.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP.ORG

Jo March would make a perfect Thanksgiving Day Parade float because of how inspiring she is. Many individuals can relate to her, as she has multiple siblings and is original. Jo follows the beat of her own drum. The world often wants individuals to conform to a certain standard, but that doesn’t faze her. She is authentically and unapologetically herself. Therefore, the importance of these values can be expressed through her float! 

Now that you know some book characters that should have a Thanksgiving Day Parade float, make sure to read their storylines! Even better, read one of their books on Thanksgiving Day. If these characters aren’t in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, you might as well read about them after all that mac & cheese and pumpkin pie!   


Find out the best authors to have Thanksgiving dinner with here

Find these books and more popular books on Bookshop.org.

FEATURED IMAGE VIA BOOKSTR / MEA REGGINA