Recently, I’ve been working on a project that centers around telling rural stories and emphasizes why rural stories are so important to tell. I quickly fell down a rabbit hole, which I still haven’t come out of, even after several weeks. So today, I’m sharing a couple of titles that I think are great examples of nonfiction writers reporting from rural America.
But first, let’s check out more new books and a reminder that Book Riot’s editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required!
Bookish Goods
Leather Barn Owl Bookmark by Raven King Crafts
I LOVE owls. And this is such a cute idea for a bookmark. Plus, there are several different colors of tassels to choose from! $10
New Releases
End Credits: How I Broke Up with Hollywood by Patty Lin
When Patty Lin quit her job as a TV writer, everyone thought she was making a huge mistake. But for Lin, it was one of the best choices that she ever made. Her memoir End Credits gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and an intimate look at her life.
Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion by Mitchell S. Jackson
If you haven’t discovered the world of sports fashion yet, you are missing out! Fly celebrates basketball fashion— the shoes, the suits, everything!
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
American Harvest by Marie Mutsuki Mockett
Marie Mutsuki Mockett’s family owns a wheat farm in Nebraska, and every year, a crew of wheat harvesters arrive. One year, Mockett decides to follow the wheat harvesters on their yearly journey across the heartland to harvest that year’s crop. As a progressive biracial Japanese American, Mockett didn’t think she’d have much in common with the harvesters. But during their journey, Mockett gets to know the team of harvesters, having conversations with them about their faith.
Death in Mud Lick by Eric Eyre
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Eyre broke the story about how drug companies sent over 12 million opioid pills into Kermit, West Virginia over a 12-year period. The town had a population of under 400. His book, Death in Mud Lick, shares the story of his reporting and gives more in-depth information about the opioid crisis in West Virginia. His work is another example of why we need local journalism, even in isolated, rural places like Appalachia.
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