Kendra Winchester is a Contributing Editor for Book Riot where she writes about audiobooks and disability literature. She is also the Founder of Read Appalachia, which celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. Previously, Kendra co-founded and served as Executive Director for Reading Women, a podcast that gained an international following over its six-season run. In her off hours, you can find her writing on her Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester.
I don’t know about you, but my TBR is getting out of hand. In fact, I have an entire TBR wall of double-stacked bookshelves bursting with books that I would like to read . . . someday. I think it’s about time that I sort out my TBR and face the reality that I may never actually get to some of these books.
I’ve been scrolling through reviews, articles, and BookTube videos trying to figure which ones I want to keep and which books to pass along. But really, where do I even start? If you’re in the same boat, I’m here for you. Here are a handful of backlist books well worth the hype or that remain must-read hidden gems.
Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby
Hands down, Hannah Gadsby’s Ten Steps to Nanette is one of my favorite memoirs of all time, and it’s woefully underhyped. Gadsby shares what it was like to grow up as a queer, autistic kid in Tasmania, Australia. Gadsby is well-known for their comedy special Nanette, which you can still watch on Netflix. Their memoir expands on the ideas in Nanette and gives us a closer look into how Gadsby’s life led to them creating this incredible one-person show.
The audiobook is out of this world as Gadsby performed with perfect comedic timing and understated style of humor.
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Kendra Winchester is a Contributing Editor for Book Riot where she writes about audiobooks and disability literature. She is also the Founder of Read Appalachia, which celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. Previously, Kendra co-founded and served as Executive Director for Reading Women, a podcast that gained an international following over its six-season run. In her off hours, you can find her writing on her Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester.
The Erratics by Vickie Laveau-Harvie
This book is one of my favorite hidden gems. It won the Stella Prize several years ago, but has somehow still flown under the radar.
The Erratics follows Vickie Laveau-Harvie as she flies back home to Canada to care for her elderly parents after her mother’s fall. When she arrives, Vickie discovers that her mother has been starving her father. What follows is her account of trying to navigate care for her parents while coming to terms with her difficult childhood.
I especially love the Australian audiobook, which Vickie Laveau-Harvie performs herself.
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio made waves with Undocumented Americans, a book featuring the stories of undocumented families and communities across the U.S. Cornejo Villavicencio also shares how her family has lived undocumented in America for decades. While showing incredible promise, getting high grades, scholarship, and honors, she worried about her and her family’s undocumented status.
White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color by Ruby Hamad
Written by Arab Australian author Ruby Hamad, White Tears/Brown Scars discusses the harm caused by white feminism and the role white women play in white supremacy. Using examples from around the world, Hamad tackles the topic from several different angles, giving readers a wide range of perspectives.
You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave or over on Instagram @kdwinchester. 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
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