It’s the end of August — the end of the summer! For the Winchester household, that means fall cleaning! I may have started early this year. Of course, this means starting with the Corgis. They both tolerate baths, but Dylan is terrified of the dryer, so I just towel them off and let them dry in the sun. There’s brushing, clipping, trimming — all things Dylan hates. But he certainly loves to prance around when he’s freshly groomed. While I’m cleaning, Corgis or otherwise, I listen to audiobooks. It makes tedious tasks go by so much faster. Today we’re taking a look at two of my backlist favorites.
But first, new books and a reminder to check out Book Riot’s New Release Index. Delighting velocireaders since 2017, the Index will keep you in the know about all the latest books. New books for days. Subscribe today — you won’t be able to read them all, but it’s fun to try!
Bookish Goods
Custom Hair Clip by Simply North Woods, LLC
These adorable hair clips are perfect for sweeping your hair up out of your face while you’re reading. And they come in a lot of colors. $10
New Releases
Vergil: The Poet’s Life by Sarah Ruden
Scholar Sarah Ruden is known for her translation of the Aeneid. Now she’s back with this extensively researched book about the life of Vergil. Ruden presents the legendary figure’s story in a new light.
Live to See the Day: Coming of Age in American Poverty by Nikhil Goyal
Goyal follows the lives of three Puerto Rican children living in Kensington, Philadelphia. As they grow older, they face the challenges of being marginalized in America. But all three are determined to defy the odds and make it out of poverty. This is their story.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
I always love a good cult book, and Amanda Montell’s is one of the best. Only, it’s not about one cult. It’s about the language of cults and how everyday exposure to this language influences how people view the world. Through her skill at narrative storytelling and incredible research skills, Montell takes us deep into the influence of cults and the words that help build them.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
In the Dream House is a Book Riot favorite for a reason. Machado writes about her relationship with her girlfriend. As her girlfriend becomes more and more controlling and abusive, Machado realizes she needs to leave the relationship. The book is made up of chapters that each start with “The Dream House as…” This experimental structure lends itself to the story and the unique narrative that Machado is weaving in this memoir.
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