Little Moments: Togetherness and the Small Things in Life

In a world that never stops moving, November has a way of slowing us all down. The days grow shorter and a chill settles in, nudging us inside where the lamps glow a little warmer and we linger just a little longer at the table. At RED (Read, Eat, Drink), we like to think that’s our cue — to lean in close, dive into a great story, and savor the “little moments” that remind us we’re not alone.

This month, our togetherness theme draws inspiration from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, a story that, at its heart, is really about the magic that lives in small gestures. The March sisters might have lived a long time ago, but the way they find joy in each other — around crowded tables, makeshift celebrations, and shared sacrifices — feels very much like real life.

READ: Little Women

If it’s been a while since you joined Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy, and the indomitable Marmee, you’re in for a treat (even if you know the story by heart). Little Women is all about sisters, mothers, and the ways we press close during hard times. It’s about growing up, letting go, and discovering that happiness rarely arrives in fireworks — more often, it sneaks in with a plate of cookies, a borrowed shawl, or a rough-edged act of kindness. For more on Little Women, check out the Goodreads page here.

• Favorite Quote: "I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." — Amy March 

EAT: Gingerbread Nuts

Food in Little Women isn’t just decoration; it’s a sign of love, generosity, and hope. Remember when Jo gives gingerbread nuts to the Hummels on a cold train ride? It’s a tiny gift, but it means everything. Let’s bring that spirit to your club’s table this month. Make a batch of gingerbread candied nuts — sweet, spicy, and almost too easy to keep popping in your mouth. Toast a handful for yourself and set out a bowl for sharing. They’re proof that even the smallest treat can make a gathering feel special.

DRINK: Slow Cooker Irish Coffee

Marmee March carries her family through storms, heartbreak, and the daily grind, always with grace and a quiet strength. In her honor, brew up a batch of Slow Cooker Irish Coffee — it’s warm, a little bit sweet, and exactly right for a November night with friends. (Make it with or without the whiskey: either way, it’s the stuff of comfort and conversation.)

Little Moments, Big Togetherness

Maybe book club is about books, but the real magic happens between the lines: when someone laughs at the same page you loved, when a friend brings a casserole “just because,” when the evening unspools long past the end of the chapter. This month, notice those little moments. They’re the threads that keep us stitched together.

Book Club Topic Ideas

• Which March sister do you most identify with — and has that changed as you’ve grown up?

• How does Alcott weave generosity and sacrifice into the story? What small acts resonated most with you from the novel?

• Share a time when a “little moment” or small kindness made a big difference in your life.

• What elements of Little Women feel timeless — and what feels old-fashioned?

• What would a modern March family look like? Would Jo have a TikTok? Would Marmee use Google Calendar?

• How do you celebrate togetherness in your own life, especially when things get tough?

Sometimes, the smallest rituals become the ones you remember most. Pass the nuts, warm your hands around a mug, and share a story — because togetherness grows with every little moment.

Happy reading, eating, and drinking!