Sponsored by White Tears/Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad.
Called “powerful and provocative” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of the New York Times bestseller How to be an Antiracist, this explosive book of history and cultural criticism reveals how white feminism has been used as a weapon of white supremacy and patriarchy deployed against Black and Indigenous women, and women of color, often offering a soft face for brutal tactics. Taking us from the slave era through the centuries of colonialism to the modern workplace, White Tears/Brown Scars is “exactly the kind of book that every ally needs to read right now” (Cosmopolitan, A Best Nonfiction Book of the Year)
Ready for some non-stressful news? Here are your new releases nonfiction highlights for the week!
The Times I Knew I Was Gay by Eleanor Crewes
A graphic memoir! I love a graphic memoir. Crewes tells the story of her life and, pivotally for this particular title, her coming out journey. I love that a significant part of this centers around her obsession with Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Importantly for those confused about the process of coming out, it “reminds us that people sometimes come out not just once but again and again; that identity is not necessarily about falling in love with others, but about coming to terms with oneself.” Yis.
American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World by Joe Berkowitz
Hahaha like I’m not going to highlight the cheese book. Do you want to learn a lot about different kinds of cheeses and maybe feel a bit more knowledgeable at the grocery store? Great. Berkowitz goes “from the underground cheese caves in Paris to the mountains of Gruyere, leaving no curd unturned, all the while cultivating an appreciation for cheese and its place in society.” I love books like this. Just dive all the way into a topic! And if it is artisanal cheese, all the better. #NightCheese
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee by Shannon Lee
Ok, so this takes the idea that the teachings of martial arts can be expanded into philosophies that can be used for personal growth, and I am on board. Lee famously said to be like water. What does that mean and how can it help us be better? Well, his daughter is here to help with that. Each chapter is a lesson from Lee’s teachings and an expansion on how living life with more fluidity can help everyone.
Be Antiracist: A Journal for Awareness, Reflection and Action by Ibram X. Kendi
I am terrible at journaling, but it helps me every single time. You might have read Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist, and this companion journal “helps you reflect on topics such as body, power, class, gender, and policy, as well as specific questions like, “Who or what scares you the most when you think about race?” and “How can we go about disconnecting Blackness from criminality?” and “What constitutes an American to you?””
That is IT for this week’s new releases. Doesn’t the recent chill in the air (if you live in a place that experiences cold temperatures) just make you want to read more? Thank goodness new books get published every week. As always, you can find me on social media @itsalicetime and co-hosting the nonfiction For Real podcast with Kim here at Book Riot. Until next time, enjoy those facts, fellow nerds.