Hello, friends! Here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, we’ve had an intense heatwave. I even found myself carrying my Corgi, Dylan, across a hot parking lot so he could reach his favorite potty spot. But this kind of weather always reminds me of nature writing and pop science. I LOVE reading about the natural world, in all of its glorious wonder. So I’ve got two new releases that feature different takes on nature. Let’s jump right in!
Candles by Frostbeard Studio
I have bought DOZENS of Frostbeard candles over the years. I have yet to meet a scent of their’s I didn’t like, but my favorites are Oxford Library, Bookstore, and Old Books. Their candles come in several different sizes, and are perfect for a soothing evening in reading a good book.
New Releases
Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America’s Woods by Lyndsie Bourgon
Before I learned about this book, I had no idea there was a whole black market for lumber! Author Lyndsie Bourgon discusses the horrible destruction caused by the illegal timber market that’s destroying old growth trees and acres of wildlife’s natural habitat. Bourgon walks us through the politics of the industry, reporting, scientific studies and much more.
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
The author of I Contain Multitudes is back with An Immense World, which dives deep into the topic of animal senses. We learn that some animals possess unique senses that humans can only dream of. Yong discusses incredible facts like how scallops have complex vision and how a crocodile’s face is incredibly sensitive. This book is perfect for any animal lover or science enthusiast.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden
In one of my favorite memoirs of all time, T Kira Madden shares her experience growing up as a multiracial girl in Boca Raton, Florida. While she comes from a wealthy family, her parents experience addiction, causing a lot of emotional instability in Madden’s childhood. In college, she begins to realize that she’s queer, family secrets come to light, and she begins to understand herself in whole new ways. The prose is incredible, and each essay-like chapter is all-engrossing from the first few paragraphs.
Another Appalachia by Neema Avashia
As an Appalachian, I’m always looking for more stories from the region. One of my favorite Appalachian books this year is Neema Avashia’s Another Appalachia. In her memoir, Avashia shares the experience of growing up as a queer South Asian woman in West Virginia. While Avashia loves her home state, being West Virginian is complicated. The same people she grew up with, who she considers as close as family, now declare how much they dislike immigrants. When she points out that she and her family are immigrants, these same people reply, “You and your family don’t count.” Avashia’s essays are a beautiful testament to the complex realities of being from Appalachia.
That’s it for this week! You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave or over on Instagram @kdwinchester. As always, feel free to drop me a line at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com. For even MORE bookish content, you can find my articles over on Book Riot.
Happy reading, Friends!
~ Kendra