The rain has kept the Corgis inside, and Dylan in particular hates the rain. Heaven forbid his tiny little paws get wet in the grass. Gwen is more of a thundering herd; I can’t believe we are nearing the end of Disability Pride Month! It’s been a wild month but full of great reading. Today we’re looking at new books for Disability Pride and two classics that I recommend more than any other disability titles.
But first, make sure to check out Book Riot’s newest podcast, First Edition, where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot’s editors pick the “it” book of the month.
Bookish Goods
Fabric Book Cover – Forest Sky Charcoal by Floral Flamingo Shop
I often worry about taking hefty nonfiction books places. I remove the book jacket and store it somewhere safe. But these book sleeves are a great way to protect your book. Plus, it’s stunning! $19+
New Releases
Head Above Water: Reflections on Illness by Shahd Alshammari
When Shahd Alshammari was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, the doctors said she’d be lucky to live past 30. But despite their grim words, she decided to pursue her dreams anyway. By the time she turned 30, she had already received her PhD and taught students around the world.
The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight by Andrew Leland
Andrew Leland has a condition that, as it progresses, will make him completely blind. But he has no idea how long that will take. Leland writes about living in the in-between space, neither fully sighted nor completely blind.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau
When someone asks me, “Disability Pride? What’s that?” I always recommend this book. Emily Ladau provides a wonderful introduction to disability terms, history, and the current disability justice movement. There are lovely illustrations and lists of other books for further reading. Ladau strikes a beautiful balance with her tone. She lays out the facts, but also understands that the people coming to this book genuinely want to learn. She takes such a kind way of introducing nondisabled people to disability studies without shying away from the difficult reality of living in an ableist society.
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Piepzna-Samarasinha delves into ideas about Disability Justice, an idea founded on mutual aid and looking at disability from an intersectional perspective. Each essay looks at a different topic presented in a way that highlights Piepzna-Samarasinha’s personal experiences. We see them working in San Francisco as a member of different disability collectives. They describe going on tour with another disability justice activist. We also get an intimate look into Piepzna-Samarasinha’s daily struggles as a disabled person. It’s such a beautiful book. I highlighted SO much of the book that my copy looks like a rainbow exploded across its pages. There are so many lines that I’ve returned to for reassurance, reminding myself that even though I may be physically isolated, I’m not alone.
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