Hello bookish friends! I’m writing to you from sunny California while visiting my spouse’s family. We’ve spent the last several days traveling around the San Francisco Bay area, and I’ve been keeping my eye out for gifts for the holidays. It probably doesn’t surprise you to learn that I have A LOT of nonfiction lovers in my family. In fact, everyone on my list has been asking for nonfiction! So I thought, why not share some of the books I’ll be giving this holiday season. But first, let’s chat about new books!
Bookish Goods
Hanukkah Book Stacks by Brush and Birch FL
Are you looking for adorable, kitschy bookish inspired Hanukkah sayings? Look no further! Etsy has you covered! $15
New Releases
The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women by Marita Golden
Marita Golden tackles the idea of the strong Black woman who puts everyone and everything above herself. Golden argues that this idea harms Black women’s well-being and describes how society might be able to better support Black women as they focus on taking care of themselves. Being their best, well-cared for selves ultimately helps them bring their best to their families and their communities.
Eat Your Mind: The Radical Life and Work of Kathy Acker by Jason McBride
In this first full-length, authorized biography of Jewish author Kathy Acker, Jason McBride creates a complete portrait of Acker’s life and career. Acker’s work was controversial, with methods that often involved piecing together work from other books or authors. She wrote poetry, novels, and more, giving her an expansive body of work.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
For the next few weeks, I’ll be giving y’all some of my favorite nonfiction books that I think would be perfect for gift giving! First up, I wanted to give some general recommendations that would work for a lot of the booklovers in your life!
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
If you have a reader in your life who loves self-help, memoirs, or essays, then this is the book you need. Over 10 years ago, Cheryl Strayed started writing “Dear Sugar,” an advice column on The Rumpus. Now she has a new 10th anniversary edition that includes extra columns that she’s written on her new Substack. Tiny Beautiful Things is the perfect gift that allows readers to dip in and out of the different columns between holiday celebrations, travel, or as a wind down before bed. Plus, Cheryl Strayed reads the audiobook edition, which gives listeners an intimate performance of her columns.
South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry
For the history and sociology lovers in your life, Imani Perry’s National Book Award-winning South to America is the perfect gift. Perry explores the history of Black Americans living in the South. She travels around the country, describing the history of places like Appalachia, Atlanta, and Charleston. She also returns to her Alabama roots, sharing portions of her own family history in the South. Perry challenges readers to rethink their assumptions of the South, whether they are from the region or not. She deftly navigates through complex issues around the region. This will be one that I read and reread; there’s always some new things to learn with each new read through.
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