Categories
True Story

Perfect Listening for Your Holiday Weekend

This year, my spouse, the Corgis, and I are staying home for the holiday. I spent several hours today prepping everything for our dinner tomorrow. Gwen was right there, ready to clean up any carrot peels or pieces of celery that flew off the counter. I made one of my favorites, cranberry sauce, made from scratch. Since I am the only one who likes it at my house, I always have way more than I need. As the person who makes Thanksgiving dinner at my house, I have a lot of extra time to listen to audiobooks, the way I consume the majority of my nonfiction. So, I’m going to be sharing two audiobooks I’ve listened to of late. But first, new books!

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

a photo of a tree ornament that features an adorable bookstore

Customized Book Store Ornament by Love Boutique Books

With the holiday season upon us, Christmas tree ornaments abound! I adore finding all sorts of bookish ways to trim my tree. And this one is just too cute. $21

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of The Book of James: The Power, Politics, and Passion of Lebron by Valerie Babb

The Book of James: The Power, Politics, and Passion of Lebron by Valerie Babb

Author Valorie Babb writes about the social juggernaut that is LeBron James. Babb follows James through his rise to fame and discusses how James’s Blackness has been perceived over the course of time.

a graphic of the cover of All Things Edible, Random & Odd: Essays on Grief, Love & Food by Sheila Squillante

All Things Edible, Random & Odd: Essays on Grief, Love & Food by Sheila Squillante

In this book of essays, Sheila Squillante describes how cooking gave her a path to work through her grief after the death of her father. Her father loved food, and recreating his favorite dishes helped her understand better who her father was.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Jenn Shapland

Thin Skin by Jenn Shapland

As I chopped vegetables, made cranberry sauce, and prepped my turkey brine, I listened to Thin Skin by Jenn Shapland. In her essay collection, Jenn has several long pieces about her experience traveling alone and the role that clothes have played throughout her life. With each of these base ideas, she connects her personal experiences to ideas in wider society. For example, in her essays about clothes, she ties together ideas of consumerism and how clothes help us perform societal expectations. I was struck over and over again by how Shapland’s work contains multiple layers of depth and meaning. Her prose feels so intentional, as if she’s already thought of and discarded every other possible way of expressing what she wants to say.

a graphic of the cover of high on the hog

High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America by Jessica B. Harris

Just a few hours ago, I saw that the second season of Netflix’s High on the Hog has been released! Based on Jessica B. Harris’ book of the same name, the docuseries chronicles how enslaved Africans brought their culinary traditions to America. In her book, Harris describes how African cooks created one of the primary foundations for American cuisine as we know it today. She follows African American foodways, describing the growth of Black Southern cooking and how those food traditions traveled across the country during the great migration. High on the Hog is a must-read book (and now a must-watch docuseries) for any food lover.

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

Categories
True Story

Nonfiction Audiobooks for Native American Heritage Month

To the Corgis, this week is known as “food week.” A number of delicious smells enter the house on a weekend, and half a week later, I start cooking all of the things, often dropping tasty morsels of green beans and potatoes on the floor. For most of my adult life, I’ve cooked Thanksgiving at home, inviting college students, international grad students, or chosen family to come over and spend time with my spouse, the Corgis, and me. But this year, it’s just the four of us.

Besides learning how to halve all of my recipes written to feed 8-12 people, I’m learning to sit in the quiet, to appreciate the small joy that comes from cooking a meal for my favorite people (errr Corgis?). Whenever I’m cooking, I listen to audiobooks. So today is all about great nonfiction books on audio. But first, new books!

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

a photo of a blanket with a moody depiction of a bookshelf, complete with a bookshelf cat

Dark Academia Book Blanket by Ink and Shadow 

This blanket is perfect for a chilly night on the couch reading a good book. There’s even a cat! So cute. $68

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Critical Hits: Writers Playing Video Games by Carmen Maria Machado and J. Robert Lennon

Critical Hits: Writers Playing Video Games edited by Carmen Maria Machado and J. Robert Lennon

In this anthology, writers explore the impact that video games have had on our lives. From Elissa Washuta to Alexander Chee, each author has their own take on the fantastical world to be explored, all through their TV and computer screens.

a graphic of the cover of Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South by Elizabeth Varon

Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South by Elizabeth R. Varon

It’s about that time of year when we all scramble to find and present the best dad books we possibly can. One potential candidate is Longstreet, a biography of a Confederate General who changed his perspective after the war. He went on to push for Black voting rights and led a militia against white supremacists in Louisiana.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo

Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo, Performed by Joy Harjo

“I loved poetry. It was singing on paper.” In this memoir of her early life, Joy Harjo describes her experience coming into her own as a young woman and as a poet. Harjo, of the Mvskoke/Creek Nation, describes how the stories passed down to her sparked her imagination. She paid close attention to the plants, trees, and animals around her, taking her time to better understand the natural world. On the audio edition, Harjo gives a stunning performance, often singing the poems in the text rather than just reciting them.

aa graphic of the cover of The Fire This Time edited by Jesmyn Ward

The Fire This Time edited by Jesmyn Ward, Performed by Cherise Boothe, Michael Early, Kevin R. Free, Korey Jackson, Susan Spain

Back in 2016, Jesmyn Ward edited this phenomenal collection of essays responding to the ideas in James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. The collection includes writers like Kiese Laymon, Edwidge Danticat, Honoree Jeffers, Carol Anderson, Jericho Brown, Clint Smith, Claudia Rankine, Isabel Wilkerson, and more. Ward’s essay centers around the idea that knowing where you come from is a privilege that many Black people don’t have. Through the course of the essay, she describes how she bought her parents DNA tests. Her dad found out that he was 51% percent Native American. Eventually, her dad was able to reconnect with his Indigenous heritage by enrolling with the Choctaw of Slidell, Louisiana.

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

Categories
True Story

Indigenous Nonfiction for Your TBR

With just a month and a half left in the year, my TBR still looks a mile high. Somehow, no matter how many books I read, the books on my TBR shelves still appear as if they are multiplying. At any rate, I’m having to make some hard choices: what books do I want to read by the end of the year? And with “best of” lists dropping every day, I’m overwhelmed with choices, in the best possible way. I’ll let you know what I decide.

In the meantime, today’s recommendations are all about nonfiction books perfect for Indigenous Heritage Month. But first, new books!

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Bookish Goods

a photo of a book that has been crystalized. IT looks almost frozen, dripping with ice.

Crystalized Book by The Gilding Alchemist

I have been seeing these crystalized books all over TikTok. They are gorgeous! Buying someone their favorite book immortalized in crystal forever more sounds like quite the romantic gift idea. $98

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Chasing Bright Medusas: A Life of Willa Cather by Benjamin Taylor

Chasing Bright Medusas: A Life of Willa Cather by Benjamin Taylor

Benjamin Taylor details the life of Willa Cather, an American writer who was not afraid to write the stories she wanted to tell. Taylor’s biography highlights Cather’s unique place in American letters and details Cather’s rise to literary stardom.

a graphic of The Death of a Jaybird: Essays on Mothers and Daughters and the Things They Leave Behind by Jodi M. Savage

The Death of a Jaybird: Essays on Mothers and Daughters and the Things They Leave Behind by Jodi M. Savage

In this memoir centering on three generations of women, Savage writes about growing up being mostly raised by her grandmother. Her mother struggled with addiction, and when Savage’s grandmother passed away, Jodi found herself as the caregiver for her mother.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

It’s Indigenous Heritage Month, so here are two picks for your TBR this month and beyond.

a graphic of the cover of The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Truer

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer

Many of us remember the incredibly popular Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, in which Dee Henderson argued that Indigenous culture functionally ended at the massacre at Wounded Knee. But in The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, Ojibwe writer David Truer writes about how Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island are very much alive. Following Indigenous history from 1890 to the present, Truer features interviews and research about Indigenous peoples preserving and celebrating their cultures. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee presents an Indigenous history that is very much alive and ongoing.

a graphic of the cover of Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga

Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga

Investigative journalist Tanya Talaga writes about the long-lasting impact of residential schools on Indigenous youth today. In the 1960s, a 12-year-old Indigenous boy froze to death while trying to escape a residential school. Talaga follows how this boy’s death is connected to the deaths of seven Indigenous high school students from 2000 to 2011. Talaga combs through archives and interviews Indigenous elders, students, and school administrators, illustrating how this one northern, small-town school is emblematic of Canada’s history of settler colonial violence against Indigenous peoples across the continent.

a photo of Dylan, a red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi, sitting on a blue rug while his new hedgehog toy is lying in front of him.
I brought back toy hedgehogs for the Corgis. Dylan claimed them both. Gwen doesn’t mind. She’s more of a dinosaur gal anyway.

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

Categories
True Story

Must-Read Anthologies for #NonfictionNovember

This past weekend, I left my spouse and Corgis behind and ventured down to Charleston, South Carolina, for my first-ever Yallfest. Yallfest is a young adult and middle grade book festival that brings together dozens of authors from all over. I was WAY out of my depth, but I enjoyed just going along for the ride. As my friend, a middle grade author herself, guided me from panel to panel, I couldn’t help but become mesmerized by the scores of people around me. But now that I’m back, it’s time to jump into some nonfiction.

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Bookish Goods

a photo of a gallery wall of books whose pages are folded in different creative ways.

Gallery A: Folded Book Wall Art by Beauregard and West

Since the holiday season is almost upon us, I have been thinking about different bookish gift ideas. I love that books are being turned into art installations in and of themselves. Here is a beautiful example. $50

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades by Rebecca Renner

Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades by Rebecca Renner

Rebecca Renner reports on the mysterious world of Alligator poaching. Follow officer Jeff Babauta, who goes undercover to discover more about the people who illegally deal in gators.

a graphic of the cover of Eyeliner: A Cultural History by Zahra Hankir

Eyeliner: A Cultural History by Zahra Hankir

Journalist Zahra Hankir writes about the history of kohl, or eyeliner as we know it today. What might at first seem a simple makeup product actually has an incredible past.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Today, we’re looking at anthologies that were published to give some urgently needed perspective on two very different regions of the world by centering the voices of writers actually from those regions.

a graphic of the cover of Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World edited by Zahra Hankir

Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World edited by Zahra Hankir

Before Eyeliner, Zahra Hankir edited a collection of Arab women journalists reporting from the Arab world. Palestine, Egypt, Yemen, Syria — these journalists report on wars, uprisings, and protests. From their vantage point, they are able to tell stories that male journalists would never have access to in their own work. They center women’s experiences as they write about sexual assault or trying to travel without a male relative. Western society often carries a lot of assumptions about the Middle East. These brave Arab women are here to tell their own stories, risking everything to bring their much-needed perspective of their home regions.

a graphic of the cover of Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy edited by Anthony Harkins and Meredith McCarroll

Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy, edited by Anthony Harkins and Meredith McCarroll

After the memoir Hillbilly Elegy hit shelves, everyone began crafting their own opinions about the region. J.D. Vance certainly had his. In Appalachian Reckoning, writers from a wide range of backgrounds respond to Vance’s memoir, sharing what they feel he got wrong (or right, in some cases). Meredith McCarroll and Anthony Harkins write about how they wanted to give Appalachian people a platform to respond to the now incredibly famous book that painted all of Appalachia —millions of people across 13 states — with a single brush. But Appalachia, just like the rest of America, is not a monolith.

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

Categories
True Story

Perfect Books For Holiday Gifting!

With the holiday season right around the corner, a gift-giving extravaganza is almost here. But when you have book-loving people on your list, how do you know if they already have any given book? When I come up against this issue, I always try to find a lesser-known title, usually from an indie or university press. This way, I have much better odds that that person doesn’t already have the book I’m giving them. So this week, I’m recommending two beautiful books perfect for gift-giving this holiday season. But first, new books!

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

a photo of a bookmark featuring a reading tracker on one side and a pile of book spines for you to fill in

Library Card Bookmark by She Me You Care

Maybe you aren’t a book journal type of person. Maybe you are more of a simple bookmark-reading tracker sort of person. Etsy is here for you, as always. $3

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of To Free the Captives: A Plea for the American Soul by Tracy K. Smith

To Free the Captives: A Plea for the American Soul by Tracy K. Smith

Former Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith weaves together personal narrative and family history as she delves into big questions around who the United States is and what it stands for as a country.

a graphic of the cover of The View From Down Here: Life as a Young Disabled Woman by Lucy Webster

The View From Down Here: Life as a Young Disabled Woman by Lucy Webster

Lucy Webster writes about life as a disabled woman, with all of its joys and struggles. She describes her life experiences as a wheelchair user and advocates for a more accessible world.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Sown in the Stars: Planting by the Signs by Sarah L. Hall, Photos by Meg Wilson

Sown in the Stars: Planting by the Signs by Sarah L. Hall, Photos by Meg Wilson

Hall’s gorgeous book delves into the world of planting crops by the signs in the stars. It’s a beautiful blend of culture, folklore, and foodways rooted in generations of tradition. Hall talks to central and eastern Kentuckians who have been planting by the signs for decades. They all have their own traditional practices of crop planting. Some gardeners plant by the phases of the moon, while others use the stars to guide their lives as a whole. Wilson’s photos are stunning, making this book an incredible gift for any gardener or general plant lover.

a graphic of the cover of A is for Affrilachia by Frank X Walker, Illustrations by upfromsumdirt

A is for Affrilachia by Frank X Walker, Illustrations by upfromsumdirt

Former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker coined the term “Affrilachian” to refer to the unique experiences of Black Appalachians. A is for Affrilachia is a beautiful children’s alphabet book that highlights the accomplishments of Affrilachian people across the region. In the back of the book, there is more detail on each of the people, places, or things mentioned, giving adults more information to share with the kids in their lives. It’s a great way to start conversations about the importance of Affrilachian people to the region. This book makes a great gift, and I’ve already bought several copies for baby showers and birthday presents.

a photo of Dylan, a red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi, standing behind the stable of a large ceramic nativity scene.
Dylan always loves helping with holiday decorations.

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

Categories
True Story

A Couple of the Best Memoirs of the Year

With scary season over, we begin heading into the last few weeks of fall before the holidays bring forth everything from peppermint bark to twinkling fairy lights. But here in the South, our weather still hasn’t caught up. This past weekend, my spouse and I took the Corgis to the park in gorgeous 70-degree weather. I’ll admit, I’m glad the Corgis still have a chance to frap with their friends as I listen to my Nonfiction November TBR on audio.

Of course, here at True Story, every month is nonfiction month. So here are a few of my favorite nonfiction books from this year.

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

a photo of two spiral reading journals. One has a black cover, the other white. They both have woodland plants and creatures across the front.

Reading Journal by The Book Sisters Bookshop

This week’s reading journal is one with STICKERS. I also love the details where you can write in the titles of the books you read. So many custom options for plenty of creativity. $42

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of A Death in Malta: An Assassination and a Family's Quest for Justice by Paul Caruana Galizia

A Death in Malta: An Assassination and a Family’s Quest for Justice by Paul Caruana Galizia

Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered after a car bomb exploded and took her life. Now, her youngest son investigates her death, trying to find closure for him and his family.

a graphic of the cover of Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education by Stephanie Land

Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education by Stephanie Land

The author of Maid, which was made into an incredibly successful series on Netflix, is back with a new memoir exploring more ideas around single motherhood and class. Class is also a Good Morning America Book Club pick.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of a cover of Liliana’s Invincible Summer by Cristina Rivera Garza

Liliana’s Invincible Summer by Cristina Rivera Garza

In one of my favorite memoirs of the year, Cristina Rivera Garza chronicles how she tries to track down her sister’s last days before she was murdered. Rivera Garza interviews Liliana’s friends at university, goes through her journals, and looks through official documents. But Liliana’s Invincible Summer is not a true crime story. Instead, it’s a beautiful testament celebrating Liliana’s life and the joy she brought to the world.

a graphic of a cover of A Living Memory by Nicole Chung

A Living Memory by Nicole Chung

Nicole Chung is one of my favorite nonfiction writers. From her memoir All You Can Ever Know to her newsletter for The Atlantic, Chung writes with such vulnerability and clarity. A Living Memory follows Chung’s experience with the death of her father and her mother’s diagnosis of cancer. But when the pandemic arrives, Chung finds herself unable to be with her mother in her last days. This memoir is so intimate, so heart-rending, as Chung voices what many of us experience when a loved one passes away and we can’t be there for them. A Living Memory is truly a stunning book.

a photo of Dylan, a red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi, standing at the park with his pink ball in his water bowl.
Dylan likes to keep his favorite ball in his water bowl while he drinks. He must make sure that no one steals his beloved.

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

Categories
True Story

Cookbooks Perfect for Gifting Season

Now that it’s November, I’m finalizing my gifting plans for the holiday season. Every holiday season, without fail, I’m gifting one of my favorite cookbooks. I ADORE cookbooks and books about food culture and history. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite food books that might be perfect for the food lovers on your list.

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

So, let’s jump in with new books!

Bookish Goods

a photo of a reading journal sitting on a decorative cutting board. The cover is a blend of different color grays with metallic details embossed on the cover

Written in the Stars Reading Journal by Stella Bookish Art

This cover! This particular reading journal is a favorite that I have seen circulating around the bookish internet for the last couple of years. I love the metallic details on the cover. $22

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook: A Cookbook by Sohla El-Waylly

Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook: A Cookbook by Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly gives new cooks the confidence to advance their skills in the kitchen. Start Here is the perfect starting place for cooking 101.

a graphic of the cover of Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third-Culture Kitchen: A Cookbook by Jon Kung

Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third-Culture Kitchen: A Cookbook by Jon Kung

Jon Kung’s cooking is rooted in his diasporic identity. Using his third culture perspective, he introduces home cooks to a wide range of delicious recipes they won’t be able to find anywhere else.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat, Illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton

Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat, Illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton

I’ve given Salt Fat Acid Heat to everyone I can think of, even going to the length of buying several copies to have on hand just in case I need a last-minute gift. Nosrat walks readers through concepts around cooking, particularly around ideas about the elements of salt, fat, acid, and heat. She doesn’t just tell you what or how to cook; she describes WHY we cook in certain ways. This gives home cooks the tools to create their own delicious dishes without having to follow a recipe from someone else.

a graphic of the cover of Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie

Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie 

Rodney Scott took over his parents’ barbecue place and wanted to take it to the next level. Scott began trying new things with barbecue and worked through the logistics of cooking a ridiculous amount of it. Eventually, Scott received a James Beard Award for his mastery of BBQ, establishing himself as a legend of South Carolina BBQ traditions. His cookbook delves into his story and shares some of Scott’s favorite recipes.

a photo of Gwen, a black and white cardigan welsh corgi, sitting next to a copy of the book Killers of the Flower Moon

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

Categories
True Story

New Month, New Books!

As we head into the holiday season, I keep trying to sort out which books I want to finish before the end of the year. While I have over 50 books on my TBR cart that I’d love to get to, I think I’m going to start having to make some hard choices. #BookLoverProblems

Today in the newsletter, we’re talking about some backlist books to take us through our October to November transition. But first, new books!

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

a graphic of an illustration of an iPad featuring a digital reading journal that includes pre-made spreads for readers to keep track of their reading on their iPad.

Digital Reading Journal by Dot Dot Planner

So far, I’ve featured reading tracking journals that are in physical form. But here is one for tablet fans! I love how detailed this is! And there’s still plenty of creativity and customization. $9

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir by Jami Nakamura Lin

The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir by Jami Nakamura Lin

Using ancestral storytelling and mythology, Jami Nakamura Lin writes about her experience growing up with undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Her sister, Cory Nakamura Lin, drew the illustrations throughout the memoir, creating a truly unique reading experience.

a graphic of the cover of Mischievous Creatures by Catherine McNeur

Mischievous Creatures by Catherine McNeur

Author Catherine McNeur explores the lives of Margaretta Hare Morris and Elizabeth Carrington Morris, two sisters who were both scientists exploring the natural world. The sisters made vital scientific discoveries in botany and entomology but have been forgotten for far too long.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

November is Indigenous Peoples’ Month, so I have to tell you about a poetry anthology full to the brim with Native poets. But first, let’s give scary season one last gasp before we say goodbye to Halloween for the year.

A graphic of the cover Ghostland by Colin Dickey

Ghostland by Colin Dickey

If you love narrative nonfiction, Ghostland will be right in your wheelhouse. In this book, Colin Dickey travels around America to inspect the most haunted places in the nation. Hotels, abandoned hospitals, empty prisons — no location is too creepy or sinister for Dickey. He asks deep questions about how we, the living, relate to these haunted spaces and how these moments and places from our past impact our future.

a graphic of the cover of New Poets of Native Nations

New Poets of Native Nations, edited by Heid E. Erdrich

Heid E. Erdrich (yes, she’s the sister of Louise Erdrich) edited this anthology of new Indigenous poets. There’s such a range of different kinds of poetry in this collection from poets from many different Native Nations, giving you a broad look at Indigenous poetry in the 21st century. After reading these poems, you’ll be itching to look up each contributor to find more of their work.

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

Categories
True Story

It’s almost #NonfictionNovember!

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

a photo of two spiral notebooks with the words Reading Tracker, one with a black background and one with a white background. They are both covered in little symbols that spark the imagination.

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

a graphic of the cover of The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl

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.

a graphic of the cover of They Called Us Exceptional

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

a graphic of the cover of Enemy of All Mankind by Steven Johnson

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.

a graphic of the cover of World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

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

Categories
True Story

Celebrity Memoirs!

Every fall, I wait for the big celebrity memoirs to hit shelves. Now, I wasn’t always this person. I used to be a little dismissive, like, why would I want to read about famous people? Aren’t their lives already perfect? Of course, that was very silly of me. In their memoirs, celebrities tell their own stories while also engaging with the stories already out there. This whole dynamic creates a very meta kind of storytelling that I’ve come to love. So this week, we’re taking a look at different celebrity memoirs, both new releases and backlist titles.

But first, bookish goods and a shoutout about our personalized TBR service, where you can get book recommendations tailored to you.

Bookish Goods

a photo of a hardback reading journal with gold embossing that says "reading journal" across the front.

Reading Journal for Book Lover  by Duncan and Stone

It’s planner time! Maybe it’s just me, but I take a ridiculously long time to choose my planner (This past spring, I started thinking over what I would choose for 2024. I didn’t decide until September. *lol sob*) So I’m going to be featuring some reading journals here to give y’all ideas! Here’s the first one. I really love a hardcover with embossing. I also love the sections of book lists and the reading challenge in the back. $24

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

So many of us grew up with Britney Spears’ meteoric rise to fame when she appeared on the pop music scene in the ’90s. And just recently, she finally was able to free herself from the conservatorship, which allowed her family members to control so much about her life. Now, she is here to tell her story.

a graphic of the cover of Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith

Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith

You may have already heard the buzz from the many interviews Jada Pinkett Smith has done to promote her new memoir, but — my stars — she reveals a lot in her new memoir. We follow her life, her acting career, and her high-profile relationship with Will Smith.

For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Making a Scene by Constance Wu

Making a Scene by Constance Wu

When Constance Wu’s hit show Fresh Off the Boat was renewed for its sixth season, Wu was intensely disappointed. She had planned on doing new projects that would help her spread her wings and challenge herself. But when she expressed that frustration on Twitter, she received intense negative feedback, and her name started trending in a terrible way. They called her ungrateful, hateful, and spoiled. Wu took some time off of social media, apologized to the cast and crew of Fresh Off the Boat, and wrote this essay collection. Making a Scene covers Wu’s beginnings as an aspiring actor, her early jobs, and many of her failed relationships. Wu writes about herself in a way that forces her to confront her mistakes.

a graphic of the cover of I’m Glad My Mom Died by ​​Jeanette McCurdy

I’m Glad My Mom Died by ​​Jennette McCurdy

When I found the last hardback edition of this memoir at my Barnes & Noble, I snatched it up. The memoir was a bestseller, but the book was backordered everywhere. Book lovers scoured the internet, trying to find a way to get their hands on a copy. But why was everyone so obsessed with Jennette McCurdy’s memoir? Well, like it says on the tin, McCurdy was proclaiming to the world that she was glad her mom died. What at first looks like a punchy, eye-catching title unravels into a complex portrait of McCurdy’s mother, who abused and manipulated her children for years. The memoir follows McCurdy as she breaks out as a child star, with her world seeming perfect to everyone from the outside. But in reality, McCurdy was trapped in a life and career that she never really chose for herself.

a photo of Gwen, a black and white cardigan Welsh Corgi, and Dylan, a red and white pembroke welsh corgi, sitting in the grass and surrounded by fall leaves.

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