It’s time for another round of the Read Harder Challenge! As detailed on the main site, Read Harder is back with a new set of prompts encouraging readers to step outside their comfort zone and expand their reading horizons. This week, we’re looking at prompt 16) Read a genre-blending book.
Even if you’re not participating in the Read Harder challenge, you’ll find something to love with these genre-blending nonfiction works.
How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina ImblerScience journalist Sabrina Imbler profiles a sea creature in each of their essays, using the creature as a launching point for their ideas around family, relationships, society, and so much more. This multi-model memoir delves into Imbler’s experience as a queer, biracial person trying to figure out their place in the world. Beautifully written and thought-provoking, How Far the Light Reaches is perfect for memoir lovers looking to branch out into science writing. |
The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia by Emma Copley EisenbergSince I first read it back during the pandemic, I’ve been fascinated with The Third Rainbow Girl. It’s an incredible combination of so many things. I often find myself at a loss for how to describe it. First, it’s part memoir. Eisenberg volunteered to work for a nonprofit in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. She lived there for years, falling in love with the region and its people. It’s also part true crime. While living in Appalachia, Eisenberg learned of two middle-class white women who were murdered as they were traveling through the area. The Third Rainbow Girl also adds regional history to the mix, discussing the unique aspects of Eisenberg’s adopted home. Even with its many moving parts, Eisenberg deftly weaves the different threads together to create something unique. |
South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of the South by Imani PerryFor the history and sociology lovers in your life, Imani Perry’s National Book Award-winning South to America is the perfect blend of personal narrative, sociology, and history. Perry explores the history of Black Americans living in the South. She travels around the country, describing the history of places like Appalachia, Atlanta, and Charleston. She also returns to her Alabama roots, sharing portions of her own family history in the South. Perry challenges readers to rethink their assumptions of the South, whether they are from the region or not. She deftly navigates through complex issues around the region. |
Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal WilkinsonI will never stop talking about this incredible book. In her culinary memoir, former Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson delves into her family history through the food that they make. She takes us back through her family tree, highlighting the recipes they passed on to each other. She includes recipes in every section, detailing how you can make her most beloved meals at home. What’s more, she includes photos of her family members and gorgeous food photography, creating an incredible reading experience all around. |
