Categories
True Story

Nonfiction Humor Hour

It’s been warm enough that we’ve been taking the Corgis to the dog park, and they come back covered head to floof in mud. Bless their little hearts. At least they have a great time. Giving Corgis baths is labor intensive, so I have at least 1 ½ hours of uninterrupted audiobook listening. Recently, I’ve been loving some books on the funny side of things. But before we get to those, it’s time for bookish goods!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a graphic featuring a white kitten reading while wearing purple-pink sunglasses

Digital Artwork Neon Pink Cat wearing Glasses Reading a book by Made On Windsor

This reading cat is fantastic! Everything about it—the colors, the glasses, the book—perfection. $3

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of My Side of the River: A Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

My Side of the River: A Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

As a teenager, Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez became the sole provider for her younger brother when both of her parents were deported back to Mexico. Determined to make it work, Camarillo Gutierrez moved Heaven and Earth to make sure her brother was looked after and could pursue his dreams.

a graphic of the cover of Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor by  Ronald Drabkin

Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor by  Ronald Drabkin

As a WWI hero, Frederick Rutland fought for England in the Royal Air Force. Years later, he became a spy for Imperial Japan during WWII to fund his incredibly lavish lifestyle in Hollywood. Based on recently declassified documents, Ronald Drabkin gives a look into Rutland’s fascinating double life.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby

We Are Never Meeting in Real Life. by Samantha Irby

From the first essay that I listened to Irby read, I knew she was going to be one of my favorite writers. Her essays are hilarious but still filled with more serious topics, like growing up with a disabled mom and a dad who died far too soon. Yes, Irby uses humor to cope with the difficult things, but she also uses humor to express the bright spots in her life. She describes meeting her wife and falling in love with such tenderness and laugh-out-loud anecdotes.

a graphic of the cover of Sh*t, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West

Sh*t, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West

I love movies and TV. There’s just something about watching a story that taps into universal feelings that we all hold close to our chest. But I also love essays, so when I heard Lindy West had an essay collection all about modern cinema, I downloaded that audiobook so fast. And Sh*t, Actually is a delight. West is known for her over-the-top way of expressing herself, which lends itself to writing about movies. I laughed so much. I can’t recommend it enough if you just need something ridiculous (in the absolute best possible way) to read/listen to as a pick-me-up.

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

Two Must-Read Books By Black Feminists

It’s been pouring rain here in South Carolina, which has definitely made me want to stay inside and curl up with a good book. There’s just something about that wet, winter gloom, you know? But thankfully, there was no shortage of books for me to read, so I picked up the feminist classic, Ain’t I A Woman by beloved Kentucky author, bell hooks. Before I jump into discussing my feminist favs, it’s time for bookish goods!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a photo of an art print that features bell hooks. It made in the style of a stain glass window.

bell hooks, Wall Art Print by Pan-African Gifts

In honor of today’s bell hooks feature, I saw this portrait of bell hooks on Etsy. Just stunning. $36

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Private Equity: A Memoir by Carrie Sun

Private Equity: A Memoir by Carrie Sun

Carrie Sun seems to have it all. She graduated early from MIT, is doing incredibly well at her job, and has a great catch for a fiance. But Carrie isn’t happy. So, to find a better life for herself, she leaves her job, drops out of her MBA program, and goes to work for one of the most prestigious hedge funds in the world.

a graphic of the cover of A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime by Casey Sherman

A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown’s Most Shocking Crime by Casey Sherman

Here’s one for the true crime lovers! It’s Hollywood in the 1950s, and Lana Turner is one of Tinseltown’s brightest stars. But when the police are called to Lana’s home, they find her ex-boyfriend dead on the floor, with Lana’s daughter Cheryl claiming to have stabbed him in order to protect her mother. A Murder in Hollywood follows the ensuing trial, which made headlines for months.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism

Ain’t I A Woman by bell hooks

Now that bell hooks’ backlist has been turned into audiobooks, I’m finally getting the chance to read them for the first time. My latest pick is Ain’t I A Woman, which pulls together a lot of hooks’ early writing about how white feminists and the Black men of the Civil Rights Movement ignore the intersectional experience of Black women. bell hooks reiterates over and over that as people who live with both sexism and racism, Black women’s experiences are unique. As hooks describes at the end of her book, a truly inclusive feminist movement is an intersectional one.

a graphic of the cover of Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall discusses how modern-day feminist movements have huge gaps in their organizing efforts. Kendall argues that feminism, particularly white feminism, fails to address issues like food insecurity, safe housing, disability, access to education, and the ability to earn a living wage. Each essay discusses a different area that modern feminism could improve upon, providing an intersectional approach to her writing. Kendall makes so many incredible points as she calls out feminism’s weaknesses and the areas where it could improve. If feminism is to continue to improve the lives of women, it must evolve.

A photo of Dylan, a very handsome red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi, sitting regally on a furry blanket with his little t-Rex arm throne over a husband pillow.
Dylan, regal, handsome, perfection

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

Women Writers from Around the World

Here in the United States, most of the books published are by authors from the U.S. or the U.K., so it’s easy to get into the habit of just going with the flow. But for readers who want to broaden their perspectives, it’s important that we think about where our books are coming from — their country of origin, their original language, etc. — and how we can incorporate more books from around the world into our lives.

With that goal in mind, today I’m recommending two books featuring authors from around the world, each writer sharing her perspective on the world. But before we jump into books, it’s time for bookish goods!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a photo of a graphic featuring a quote from bell hooks that says, "One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by sustaining communities of resistance. Places we know we are not alone."

Communities Of Resistance — Bell Hooks Quote by Ink2Inspire

This week, I’m featuring bookish gifts for galentine’s day. I adore bell hooks, on of my favorite Appalachian authors, so this print seems like the perfect gift. $16+

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of How To Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir by Shayla Lawson

How To Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir by Shayla Lawson

Kentucky author Shayla Lawson writes about traveling as a femme-presenting Black person, the ups, the downs, and everything in between. They explore ideas around Blackness in other countries and cultures, going through transformative experiences as they discover new things about themself in each new place.

a graphic of the cover of Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti

Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti

Author Sheila Heti kept a diary for ten years, writing down her observations about life. In this new memoir, she types up her journals and organizes the sentences from A to Z, creating something wholly unique.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Dinner on Monster Island: Essays by Tania De Rozario

Dinner on Monster Island: Essays by Tania De Rozario

In her short collection of essays, queer Singaporean author Tania De Rozario shares her experience growing up as a fat, biracial girl during a time when Singapore required children with a “high” BMI to participate in food restriction and extra exercise. Much of the novel follows De Rozario as she begins her journey of self-acceptance, embracing her body and sexuality as they are, not as society tells her they should be.

a graphic of the cover of It's Not About the Burqa

It’s Not About the Burqa, edited by Mariam Khan

Editor Mariam Khan has gathered together a stunning group of Muslim women writers who all share their experiences. In 2016, Mariam Khan heard David Cameron had linked the radicalization of Muslim men to the “traditional submissiveness” of Muslim women. Appalled, Khan decided to push back with a collection of essays of Muslim women from around the world. They discuss issues around family, marriage, sex, gender, and so much more. This is such an incredible collection with so many different views and perspectives. A must-read for any nonfiction 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

Must-Read Graphic Memoirs

I didn’t get into graphic memoirs until I was in my mid-20s. But once I read my first one, I fell into the genre, discovering a brilliant new-to-me world of visual art and text. Over the years, I’ve read so many wonderful titles, like Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and Good Talk by Mira Jacobs. So today, I’m sharing a new favorite and a recent favorite. But first, bookish goods!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a photo of a moth with the quote from Virginia Woolf that says, "I rise from my worst disasters. I turn. I change."

Feminism Poster: Virginia Woolf Quote by Fabulously Feminist

Galentine’s Day is just around the corner! So, this week, I’m sharing a few gift options. This poster is a favorite of mine, but I must admit, I’m a bit biased— I’m a Virginia Woolf fan. $27

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Dinner on Monster Island: Essays by Tania De Rozario

Dinner on Monster Island: Essays by Tania De Rozario

In her new collection, Singaporean author Tania De Rozario writes about her experience growing up as a fat, queer Brown girl in a society that favors thinness and pale skin. Her essays examine the ongoing effort of LGBTQ rights activists and artists as they try to make space for themselves on their “Monster Island.”

a graphic of the cover of Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page before the Lights Go Out by Shannon Reed

Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out by Shannon Reed

Perfect for book enthusiasts (that’s us!), Why We Read delves into all things libraries, bookstores, and just the general love of reading. New York Times contributor Shannon Reed explores the world of books and the people who love them.

Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

Cartoonist Kate Beaton heads to western Canada to work in the oil sands, taking advantage of the oil rush to help her save money so she can more fully dedicate herself to her art. But out west, she’s confronted with the harsh realities of working in the small communities popping up because of the oil industry. In these sort of episodic-like snippets, she gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at her life, pointing out the many issues — sexism and violence towards women in particular — that are common in these communities.

a graphic of the cover of The Complete Persepolis

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Anjali Singh

I discovered Persepolis, a modern classic of the genre, during one of my very first Women In Translation Month celebrations. This graphic memoir follows Marjane Satrapi through the Iranian Revolution and her flight to France. She goes to school in Paris for a few years, but eventually, she returns home to Iran. She finds it completely changed. Satrapi’s illustrations capture your attention from the first page, and her memoir is a testament to her love of Persian culture and the grief she experiences as she can no longer live in her home country.

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

Mother Nature In All Her Glory

Now that we have had some warmer weather, the Corgis have taken to frapping around the yard again. There are few things that they love more than playing fetch endlessly. And with so many stunning audiobooks at my disposal, everybody wins! It’s that time of year when I begin thinking that, sure, it would be nice to see spring again. So this week, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite collections of nature writing. But first, bookish goods!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a picture of four wooden bookmarks featuring floral and mushroom designs

Flowers and Mushroom Forest – Engraved Hardwood Bookmarks by Dark Rim Shop

Since today is all about nature books, I thought that these adorable bookmarks would be perfect. I especially love the mushroom ones. I’m so grateful mushrooms are having a moment. $20

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir by Ai Weiwei with Elettra Stamboulis, Illustrated by  Gianluca Costantini

Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir by Ai Weiwei with Elettra Stamboulis, Illustrated by Gianluca Costantini

Ai Weiwei grew up in exile during the Cultural Revolution, and the first comics he ever read were government propaganda. But the form, the use of art in storytelling, stayed with him all of these years. Now, he tells his own story through graphic art, using the Chinese zodiac as inspiration.

a graphic of the cover of Errand Into the Maze: The Life and Works of Martha Graham by Deborah Jowitt

Errand Into the Maze: The Life and Works of Martha Graham by Deborah Jowitt

Martha Graham was declared the “Dancer of the Century” by Time magazine for her innovative choreography and understanding of the emotional life of the body. With this new detailed biography, readers will see Martha Graham’s life and work in a way they never have before.

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

Riot Recommendations

Today is all about nature writing, with one old favorite and one new one.

a graphic of the cover of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

There’s a reason this book is much beloved. The way Kimmerer writes about the natural world just sweeps you off your feet. You are there in the water with her, trying to save her pond from being reclaimed by the land, or you are right beside her as she leads dozens of students out into nature on a guided hike. Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, also discusses her Native Nation’s culture around plants and the traditional practices she was taught by her elders that help care for the land. She investigates these traditions and discusses how these practices work from a scientist’s perspective.

a graphic of the cover of The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl

The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl

Essayist Margaret Renkl is back with a beautiful book all about a year in her backyard. Each week, she writes about her world as she sees it. Maybe she writes about the many birds who come to eat from her bird feeders. Or maybe she tells us about the tadpoles that she kept in a tank, going so far as to order them special plants. The book itself, the physical object in your hands, is stunning. Her husband, Billy Renkl, has created vibrant, full-color illustrations for each chapter. And if you’re an audiobook fan, you’ll love her performance, complete with her beautiful Southern accent describing the plants and animals with which she shares her home.

a photo of Gwenllian, a black and white Cardigan welsh corgi, sitting next to the book White Cat, Black Dog.
Gwenllian has been practicing her book modeling as well.

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

Appalachian Foodways

During this bout of cold weather that we’ve had recently, I’ve been perfecting my chicken and vegetable soup recipe. I start with onions, garlic, carrots, and spices, cooking them down in olive oil. Then, I add stock, unsweetened regular almond milk, and frozen peas. We always have leftover chicken that could use a little makeover, so my go-to is adding that last. Then, I cook it down for an hour or two. It’s not a science, but it always turns into an incredible soup with so much depth and flavor.

I’m always looking for more cooking inspiration, and what could be better than fellow Appalachian cooks? So today, we’re looking at two books from two of my favorite Appalachian food people. But first, bookish goods!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A photo of a wooden bookmark carves with a mountain scene on the front of it.

Mountain Hiker Handmade Engraved Wooden Bookmark by Minecraft

I have to admit, I love woodcrafting. I know there are these fancy machines that cut out all sorts of designs now. But still, it’s beautiful. $12+

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World--And How You Can, Too by Ijeoma Oluo

Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World — And How You Can, Too by Ijeoma Oluo

From the author of So You Want To Talk About Race, Be a Revolution looks at the everyday people working to bring change to systems of oppression that have harmed so many. Oluo also highlights ways readers can make change in their own communities.

a graphic of the cover of Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes by Moshe Kasher

Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes by Moshe Kasher

Moshe Kasher grew up as a CODA (child of Deaf adult) in an ultra-Hasidic Jewish family and eventually left his community to become a comedian. His memoir follows his experience on the edges of different communities, never quite fitting in but always trying anyway.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson

Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson

From the moment that I heard Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts was coming into the world, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Crystal Wilkinson served two terms as Kentucky’s poet laureate and has long been a member of the Affrilachian Poets. With Praisesong, Wilkinson gives readers a look into her family’s history, starting with her ancestor Aggie, an enslaved woman born in Kentucky in the late 1700s. From there, she traces her family’s history through food and the recipes passed down from mother to daughter. She celebrates Black country cooks and shares Appalachian recipes from her own box of recipe cards. The book is full of beautiful photos of her family and the food they make. This book is such a beautiful, one-of-a-kind reading experience.

a graphic of the cover of Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, with Recipes by Ronni Lundy

Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, with Recipes by Ronni Lundy

Victuals, which won a James Beard Award, is a cookbook I picked up because of Wilkinson’s recommendation, and I fell in love with it from the moment I saw it. In the last several years, Southern Appalachian cooking has been making its mark on the literary world. Ronni Lundy looks at traditional, heritage recipes from Appalachia, celebrating simple ingredients like beans and greens. The photos by Johnny Autry are gorgeous, taking me back to summers watching my grandparents eat salted tomato slices while relaxing on the back porch of their cabin.

a photo of Dylan, a red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi, posing with a copy of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts
Dylan loves Wilkinson, too.

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 Perfect for Your Weekend Reading

There are few things that I love more than creative nonfiction. There’s just something about the prose, the storytelling that draws me in and keeps my attention. So today, we’re looking at a couple of recent creative nonfiction favorites that will be perfect for your TBR. But first, let’s jump into bookish goods.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a photo of different kinds of crochet flower bookmarks

Crochet Flower Bookmark by AnhsEmFash

I love that crochet is having a moment. And these flowers are a beautiful way to celebrate the joy that is crochet art. Plus, they’re bookmarks! $11

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of The Cancer Factory: Industrial Chemicals, Corporate Deception, and the Hidden Deaths of America’s Workers by Jim Morris

The Cancer Factory: Industrial Chemicals, Corporate Deception, and the Hidden Deaths of American Workers by Jim Morris

Jim Morris tells the story of one of the worst documented work-related cancer outbreaks in North American history. We follow the lawyer who worked to get justice for the workers who gave their lives and well-being to their workplace, only to have the companies they worked for deny their involvement in their workers’ illnesses.

a graphic of the cover of Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism by Jenn M. Jackson

Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism by Jenn M. Jackson, PhD

Dr. Jenn M. Jackson examines the history of Black women’s activism. Over the course of 11 essays, Dr. Jackson looks at the roles several Black women had in the political and civil rights movements.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza

Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza

Cristina Rivera Garza’s sister, Liliana, was in college when she was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. Decades later, Cristina goes to Mexico City in search of her sister’s case file. But when the police inform her that Liliana’s case file was lost, she decides to make a sort of file of her own, an act to force the world to bear witness to her sister’s life. The rest of the book is about Rivera Garza’s memories of her sister while they were growing up. We learn about all the squabbles they had as kids and all the love they shared as they got older. Rivera Garza also interviews Liliana’s friends from college in Mexico City. This way, she creates a collection of snapshots of her sister’s life leading up to the time of her death. This incredible memoir is one of the best that I read in 2023. It’s a truly stunning testament to sisterly love.

a graphic of the cover of Upstream: Essays by Mary Oliver

Upstream: Essays by Mary Oliver

Last year, Pushkin released a new audiobook of Mary Oliver’s incredible essay collection, Upstream. Hala Alyan, Joy Sullivan, and Kate Baer read different sections of the collection, each introducing their portion with some personal thoughts on why they treasure Oliver’s writing. The collection itself is a meditation on the natural world. Oliver writes her prose with a poet’s eye for word choice, each sentence carefully crafted. I’d never read Mary Oliver before, so Upstream was such a perfect choice as an introduction to her work. So, if you’re looking for a place to start reading Oliver’s extensive backlist, I’d definitely recommend you start with Upstream. And if you’re already familiar with her work, Pushkin’s new audiobook edition of this essay collection is a must-listen.


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

All You Can Read Books About Food

While South Carolina has been experiencing freezing temperatures, the Corgis and I have been hiding indoors. Every time I look up, the Corgis seem to have made one more nest, burrowing under blankets and curling into golden-fried or chocolate-covered donuts. My response has been perfecting my chicken soup recipe that I make from scratch. During these cold winter days, I always feel inspired to read more food writing and books about food. So today’s newsletter is all about heartwarming recipes perfect for your next cooking adventure.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a photo of an illustration of a desk set up near a bright window. Text of above the illustration reads, "A Room of One's Own."

Virginia Woolf A Room Of One’s Own Book Poster by Beyond the Shelf Shop

I own several copies of A Room of One’s Own. I can’t help but buy every edition I see. But this illustration is something new. It definitely needs to be hanging in my library. $20

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson

Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson

“Part memoir, part cookbook, Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts celebrates the culinary legacy of generations of Black Appalachian cooks. Former Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson shares her treasured family recipes, telling the stories of the generations of Black women who perfected them.” You can read more about my most anticipated books of the first half of 2024 here.

a graphic of the cover of The Heirloomed Kitchen: Made-From-Scratch Recipes to Gather Around for Generations by Ashley Schoenith

The Heirloomed Kitchen: Made-From-Scratch Recipes to Gather Around for Generations by Ashley Schoenith

With gorgeous photos by Heidi Harris, The Heirloom Kitchen presents recipes that have stood the test of time. These Southern-inspired recipes span from buttermilk biscuits to Derby Mint Juleps. Taken as a whole, Schoenith has created a beautiful cookbook.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook by Miguel Trinidad and Nicole Ponseca

I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook by Miguel Trinidad and Nicole Ponseca

This incredible cookbook is a 2019 James Beard Award Finalist. Plus, it was named a Best Cookbook of the Year by The New Yorker, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times Book Review, Houston Chronicle, Food52, PopSugar, and more. This cookbook invites readers into the diverse range of Filipino cuisine with all of its many influences, including Chinese, Arab, Mexican, and Spanish cooking techniques. The authors invite readers to learn more about the origins of their recipes through a cookbook that is such a wonderful celebration of Filipino cooking.

a graphic of the cover of The Taste of Country Cooking: The 30th Anniversary Edition of a Great Southern Classic Cookbook by Edna Lewis

The Taste of Country Cooking: The 30th Anniversary Edition of a Great Southern Classic Cookbook by Edna Lewis

One of the most famous cookbook writers from Southern Appalachia, Edna Lewis is a true treasure of the region. Her recipes are structured around the four seasons. She encourages readers to cook with what is in season and to cherish every flavor. When reading her recipes, I can’t help but think that Lewis’ recipes harken back to another time. With recipes like Cornpone and Brandied Peaches, I can’t help but wonder if my own Southern grandmother would have cooked these dishes too. Lewis is such a phenomenal cornerstone for Southern Appalachian cuisine.

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

This One’s for the History Lovers

If you asked my spouse and my Corgis, you’d probably hear about the frozen tundra that we’ve found ourselves in. Granted, we’re in the American South, where our county possesses a singular snow plow, so overall, it’s not really that cold, but for us, it’s quite chilly. The Corgis have been burrowing in their blankets, and I’ve added on several layers for their afternoon walks. But overall, I’ve enjoyed a chance to snuggle up and read in front of my Netflix fire on my TV. Today, we’ll be talking about new books and history titles that are perfect for a long winter spent beneath fuzzy blankets.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

a photo of of a leaf bookmark made out of recycled materials

Leather Leaf Bookmark by Hammerthreads 

I am a huge fan of leaf designs on just about anything. These bookmarks are made out of recycled materials and will look adorable in your current read. $14

New Releases

a photo of Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity by Michele Norris

Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity by Michele Norris

Award-winning journalist Michele Norris created the prompt, “Race. Your Story. Six Words. Please Send.” What followed were thousands of answers that challenged the way American society views race.

a graphic of the cover of Sex with a Brain Injury: On Concussion and Recovery by Annie Liontas

Sex with a Brain Injury: On Concussion and Recovery by Annie Liontas

Annie Liontas writes about how she experienced three concussions in one year, which changed her life in ways she never could have expected. Told in beautiful prose and with vulnerability, Sex with a Brain Injury reveals the world of traumatic brain injury like few before it.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lapore

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

I didn’t realize that most Americans don’t have US history in college. So I was thrilled to find These Truths, which gives people a bird’s eye view of American history. It’s great for people who aren’t from the US and includes the history of minority groups, such as African Americans and Indigenous peoples. Jill Lepore tells the story of America in a way that you have never heard before. In this macro look at the history of the American colonies to the modern day, Lepore examines how America came to be and the way that it evolved over the decades. In a sprawling history of the United States, Lepore uses people to anchor the perspective at any given time in history. She makes sure to introduce a new character before another one dies, passing the baton, as it were, to carry you through the overall narrative.

a graphic of the cover of Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Isabel Wilkerson is such an incredible writer and researcher. I adored The Warmth of Other Suns and couldn’t wait to pick up her next book. In Caste, she compares America’s systemic racism to the Caste systems in India and Nazi Germany. She argues that America has a similar Caste system, just by a different name. I really appreciated her insight. Her writing is always thought-provoking, but Caste asks readers to reconsider how they view America’s history of racism. It’s definitely a read you won’t want to miss.

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

Women in STEM!

Now that we’re back into the new year, I realized I needed to take more photos for my Bookstagram. When I pulled out my camera, Dylan got out of his bed by the Christmas tree (we never get ours down before February, TBH) and plopped down, ready to model. He has eight years of book modeling experience. Few people can say the same! And I have to say, he has excellent taste in books.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Well, today we have some new books to tell you about. Plus, let’s give it up for women in STEM. But first, bookish goods!

Bookish Goods

a photo of handmade bookmarks depicting five styles of cat in front of a radiating sun. The bookmarks are printed and laminated here in the studio, corners are rounded for comfort. Each bookmark comes with a silky soft tassel.

Cozy Sun Cat Bookmark by SavvyLeaStudio

These are handmade bookmarks depicting five styles of cat in front of a radiating sun. The bookmarks are printed and laminated in the studio, corners are rounded for comfort. I don’t know about you, but I may need one of each. $5

New Releases

a graphic of the cover of So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We're Still So Obsessed with It) by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We’re Still So Obsessed with It) by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

Mean Girls has become a beloved classic, especially for us Millennials. But why? Author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong delves into what has made Mean Girls the cultural touchstone that it is.

a graphic of the cover of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka

Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka

Spend any time trying to create content, and you’ll know that social media algorithms suck. But Kyle Chayka looks deeper, attempting to explain how algorithms are actually narrowing users’ worldviews.

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

Riot Recommendations

a graphic of the cover of The Disordered Cosmos

The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey Into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein’s The Disordered Cosmos took the world by storm when it was released in 2021. This book also received a delightfully ridiculous number of accolades, including the 2021 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Science & Technology, the 2022 Phi Beta Kappa Book Award in Science, the 2022 PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award, and it was a finalist for the 2022 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. Dr. Prescod-Weinstein dives into ideas around physics from her perspective as a Black woman scientist. She discusses how science, like other fields, contains an intense amount of sexism, racism, and other kinds of oppression. I really appreciate her viewpoint, and she deftly explains a scientific field that I have zero background in. There’s something about Dr. Prescod-Weinstein’s enthusiasm for the topic that is infectious.

a graphic of the cover of Women in Science

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

I’m always looking to learn more about prominent women in history, especially key figures in traditionally male-dominated fields. So, I love Rachel Ignotofsky’s books about women from history. The first one is about women in science. Each woman is featured on a beautiful two-page spread filled with her biography, fun facts, and incredible illustrations. And if you love this one, there’s also Women in Sports and Women in Art. Yes, I do indeed own them all and would recommend them to anyone and everyone.

a photo of Dylan, a red and white Corgi with brushes of white fur across his eyebrows and muzzle. He is nothing if not a majestic senior Corg. He is laying his head on top of a book called Greta and Valdin.
Dylan is well into his silver fox era.

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