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.
As my family’s resident book professional, I typically gift books. My family has a host of upcoming birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries, and I like to start early.
Finding the right book for someone is a bit of an art. I want to ensure I’m gifting something I can safely assume my family members will love. So here are a few of my most gifted nonfiction books.
Enemy of All Mankind by Steven Johnson
My spouse has a history degree and a love of lesser-known historical facts. He’s also a huge fan of adventure. So when I gave him this book about a pirate that changes the course of history, it was a hit! In the 17th century, Henry Every was one of the world’s most notorious pirates. When he attacks an Indian treasure ship, he thinks he’s made a lucrative acquisition. Johnson, however, argues that this one event changes the course of the global economy. This lesser-known story will have you saying “did you know” to your pirate story loving friends.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat
If you’ve subscribed to this newsletter for any length of time, you’ve probably already heard me gush about how much I love this cookbook. Not only did it arrive in my life when I was going through a rough time and needed a pick-me-up, but it also has an audiobook, making it accessible to me, which is rare for cookbooks. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is fantastic because it isn’t just a tome of recipes; it teaches readers HOW to cook. After I had read it, I gave it to every family member and friend with even the slightest interest in cooking. I used to buy it in batches because I knew I would go through them that fast.
World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
As a kid growing up, I spent hours reading through books about animals, learning about their habitats, life cycles, and origins. As an adult, I still crave learning new, fun facts about the natural world. Enter World of Wonders, the perfect combination of animal knowledge and personal essays. Nezhukumatathil describes how her parents taught her a love of nature, but as an Indian immigrant, she didn’t see many people like her on nature trails. From the anecdotes of Nezhukumatathil’s life to the cute illustrations by artist Fumi Nakamura, World of Wonders is the perfect package.
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That’s it for this week! 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
English (US) · 