Nonfiction November is just a week away, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s like the best sort of holiday for all of us nonfiction lovers. I’m preparing my nonfiction TBR just as we speak. (The Corgis remain unimpressed, to no one’s surprise.) At any rate, gift-giving season is just around the corner. So, I’ve included a couple of books that are perfect for the nonfiction lovers in your life.
But first, bookish goods and a shoutout for our personalized TBR service, where you can get book recommendations tailored to you.
Bookish Goods
Reading Tracker Journal by The Book Sisters Shop
These are some of the most adorable reading trackers that I’ve seen! I love that they are created to allow you a lot of creativity. $25
New Releases
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
One of America’s best nonfiction writers tells us the story of her backyard, all through the point of view of the creatures that live there. The Comfort of Crows follows a year in their lives.
The Called Us Exceptional: And Other Lies That Raised Us by Prachi Gupta
Prachi Gupta writes about the intense pressure of being seen as the “perfect immigrant” from the outside. But while others saw that her dad was a doctor and that she had perfect grades, they didn’t see the imprisoned feeling behind her mask.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, and History’s First Global Manhunt by Steven Johnson
History lovers are sure to enjoy this swashbuckling narrative about a pirate who changes the course of the world’s economy. In the 17th century, Henry Every was one of the world’s most notorious pirates. When he attacks an Indian treasure ship, he thinks he’s just made a lucrative acquisition, but Johnson argues that that one event changes the course of the global economy. This lesser-known story will have you saying, “Did you know?” to all your pirate story-loving friends.
World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, illustrated by Fumi Nakamura
Nature lovers are sure to adore World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Many of you may already know this, but I love this book so much. From the anecdotes of Nezhukumatathil’s life to the cute illustrations by artist Fumi Nakamura, World of Wonders is the perfect package. Nezhukumatathil describes how her parents taught her a love of nature, but as an Indian immigrant, she didn’t see a lot of people like her on nature trails. The different chapters of World of Wonders examine what it’s like to be a South Asian nature-lover in America.
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