We recently had some neighbors move in, and Gwenllian disapproved of them walking back and forth without stopping to say hello. I went to take a photo of her being a little creeper and watching them from our front window. Instead, I ended up taking an action shot of her screaming at the neighbors. Bless her sweet little heart. She has quite the pair of lungs on her. I then asked her to take a time out, for their sake, yes, but also for the sake of my eardrums. There really is no segway here, but either way I’m excited to chat books with you today! We have a great set of Muslim American/Canadian literature for you. But first, new book releases, and an idea for Valentine’s!
Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your bookish boo? Gift Tailored Book Recommendations. Your boo will tell our professional booknerds about what they love and what they don’t, what they’re reading goals are, and what they need more of in their bookish life. Then, they sit back while our Bibliologists go to work selecting books just for them. TBR has plans for every budget. Surprise your bookish boo with Tailored Book Recommendations this Valentine’s by signing up here.
Bookish Goods
Reading Rainbow Earrings by Nikknitz
Since we’re featuring a queer memoir today, I thought this pair of earrings were right on theme. Aren’t they just perfect? I love all of the detail on the little books. $15
New Releases
Rikers: An Oral History by Graham Rayman and Reuven Blau
Rikers is the country’s largest prison complex and sits on an island outside of view from nearby New York City. Graham Rayman and Reuven Blau have spent years interviewing people about their experiences with the Rikers Island Prison complex. We hear from incarcerated people, their families, guards, and police officers, spanning from the 1970s to present day.
Black and Female: Essays by Tsitsi Dangarembga
Tsitsi Dangarembga, the Booker-shortlisted author of This Mournable Body, is back, but this time, she’s written a collection of essays. In Black and Female, Dangarembga examines the role that imperialism has played in her lived experience as a Black, African woman. She particularly focuses on her home country of Zimbabwe, and how she believes that the government there has silenced Black feminists.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America by Laila Lalami
I adored Laila Lalami’s The Moor’s Account. It’s one of my favorite pieces of historical fiction. So when I heard she was publishing a collection of essays, I knew I needed to get a hold of them as quickly as possible. Lalami’s essays examine her experience moving to the U.S. from Morocco, pursuing the American Dream. She’d heard so much about the success one could achieve in America. But when she finally got here, and as she follows her path to U.S. citizenship, she begins to rethink her initial assumptions. She starts to think that the American Dream is really only available for certain kinds of immigrants. Lalami is an incredible prose stylist with such sharp observational skills. I love how she crafts each essay to be its own unique gem, but they all add to the overarching theme of the collection.
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
Samra Habib grew up as an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan, eventually fleeing violence against people from their sect and finding refuge in Canada. At first, Habib thought that all their problems might be solved, but in their new country, they faced racism and Islamophobia. And as they grew up, they began to realize that they weren’t exactly straight. Habib writes their memoir with no fear of presenting themself as a messy, very flawed human being. They work through their sexuality and faith throughout their story, eventually coming to a place that works for them. Their story doesn’t end wrapped up in a pretty bow. Instead it’s more untidy, glorious in its own imperfections. This is a queer memoir unlike anything I’ve ever read and definitely worth your time.
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That’s it for this week! You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave, over on Instagram @kdwinchester, or on my podcast Read Appalachia. 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