Recs if you like A Peopleโs History of the United States: 1492 - Present...
the government never cared for us ๐ฎ๐ผโโ๏ธ๐๐๏ธ
required reading for learning praxis, fighting fascism & neoliberalism, and embracing protest and uprising against capitalism and violence. not central to the U.S. additionally, includes books on queer politics, disability rights, indigenous fights for landback and much more. now is the time where it is more vital than ever that we sacrifice ourselves for the greater good. get educated folks.
Imperialism and the cost of American intervention
Project 2025 of the Trump administration included 18 mentions of Venezuela along with China, North Korea and Russia "The US has an opportunity to lead these democratic nations in the fight against these external pressures" The list includes historical books with the addition of a few works of fiction based on stories of a similar political climate, the main themes being โข The US history of enforcing foreign governments โข The economics of an "empire" โข The media of expansion and propaganda
So You Survived Fundie Homeschooling โค๏ธ โค๏ธ โค๏ธ
Recommendations for homeschool survivors, from homeschool survivors. These are books (and additional resources, in the comments) that have helped me and other former homeschoolers begin to fill in some gaping holes in our education.
They didn't teach us that
history you probably didn't learn in school
(Mostly) Modern Leftist Thinking
If you don't know where to start with the left, start here.
Check the comments for reading order and why.
Radical accessable reads
Radical left wing books that are available for free at theanarchistlibrary.org or other online spaces! Very open to recommendations
Handbook for the Revolution
Why we need a revolution and how we get there
understanding & dismantling systems that hurt us
learn what those in power have done to us across industry and government throughout American history, learn about the oppressive systems that need razing, and help create a dignified, fulfilling future for all of us. Recs welcome!!
HarperCollins American Classics
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, HarperCollins curated a list of their books they say "define the nation". This is that list of books!
How did we get here??
Books to help understand and grapple with the current fall of the US into a fascist white supremacist autocratic state. How did we get here? Is anyone else seeing this? What do we do now? For those people who feel less panicky if they have an explanation for the absolutely baffling. Mostly non-fiction but with a few chillingly accurate fiction adds.
Yes, the government actually would do that
Non-fiction books inspired by the sound clip: "And remember, kids - the next time somebody tells you, 'the government wouldn't do that'. Oh, yes they would."
Become radicalized
History repeats, and most of us need an education.
Includes classics on American history & contemporary looks at the many -ismโs that consume us. Some microhistories are also thrown in. See them as case studies.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to comment other titles!
(left) communist reading list
The leftcom perspective: the line running from Marx to Lenin, to the foundation of the Third International and the birth of the Communist Party in Livorno, 1921. The struggle against Stalinism and the degeneration of the revolution in Moscow.
Missing a lot of important articles by virtue of them not being books. Google "ultraleft new reading list" for the whole thing
I like history so I also added some Marxist-adjacent history works that (I think) are a good complement to all the theory here
American Political History
A primer for filling in the gaps school definitely missed.
A History of the U.S. Labor Movement & Unions
For those who like the weekend, fair wages, the 40 hour work week (already seems unattainable!), and don't believe in child labor - a history of the fight. Seems like we are still having to work at it, since there are some that want to take these rights away. This is a non-fiction list - and I am open to recommendations!
Learning about the world in different ways
A collection of non fiction to understand the history of the world and why and how we got here!
In Defiance of Religious Hypocrisy
For those of us deconstructing, for those of us questioning, for those of us hurting, for those of us no longer religious, you are not alone. May you feel supported and angered.
Citizen's Library
Books to help you stay informed, engaged, and hopeful.
Books I recommend when Iโm feeling pretentious
Books I genuinely enjoy, but likely only read because I thought it would make me look/be smarter
read these before they're banned
books on power, propaganda, obedience, and democratic backsliding
ยฉ 2025 Pagebound