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
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
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.
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
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 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.
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