A post-Trump America has sparked widespread reflection on democracy, identity, and collective responsibility. In this transformative time, it’s best to prepare by reading up on how to survive in these wild times. Check out our essential reading list for a post-Trump America inside.

These must-read books provide insights into the challenges we face and the tools to forge a more equitable future. From reading on autocracy and disinformation to climate and environmental activism, these reads will have you taking action against a really screwed up system. 

Check out a few of the books from our list categorized below:

On Autocracy and Disinformation:

In examining authoritarianism’s threat, 1984 by George Orwell and Masha Gessen’s Surviving Autocracy resonate profoundly. Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century offers a blueprint to safeguard democracy, while Lee McIntyre’s On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy empowers readers to combat propaganda and misinformation.

Racial Justice and Black Liberation:

For a deeper understanding of systemic racism and Black resilience, James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and Peniel E. Joseph’s The Black Power Movement are indispensable. W.E.B. DuBois’s Black Reconstruction in America and Cedric Robinson’s Black Movements in America highlight historical struggles for equality. Contemporary works like Unbossedby Khristi Lauren Adams and First and Only by Jennifer R. Farmer explore the modern-day impact of Black leadership and perseverance.

Climate and Environmental Activism:

As climate anxiety grows, books like Lynne Sedgmore’s Presence Activism and David B. Spence’s Climate of Contemptanalyze the intersection of environmentalism and policy. Angelou Ezeilo’s Engage, Connect, Protect advocates for empowering diverse youth as leaders in the climate justice movement.

Empowerment and Resistance:

Jamie Margolin’s Youth to Power: Your Voice and How to Use It equips young activists with tools to enact change. Similarly, Steven Robinson’s Turf War details grassroots activism triumphing over political corruption, exemplifying the power of collective action.

Fictional Insights into Power and Oppression:

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale serves as a chilling reminder of the fragility of women’s rights, while George Orwell’s 1984 explores the dangers of totalitarianism. Both narratives highlight the importance of vigilance and resistance.

Personal Growth and Liberation:

Chichi Agorom’s The Enneagram for Black Liberation and Khristi Lauren Adams’s Parable of the Brown Girl emphasize the sacredness of identity and healing. These works inspire readers to embrace their full selves amid societal struggles.

By engaging with this essential reading list, we can better understand the complexities of our world and actively participate in shaping a more just, informed, and resilient society. These books are more than literature. They are guides to navigating the challenges of our time.

Check out the full list of books below:

1984 – George Orwell

The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwell

The Fire Next Time – James Baldwin

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From The Twentieth Century – Timothy Snyder

On Disinformation: How To Fight For Truth And Protect Democracy – Lee Mcintyre

Youth To Power: Your Voice and How To Use It – Jamie Margolin

Surviving Autocracy – Masha Gessen

Climate of Contempt: How To Rescue the U.S. Energy Transition From Voter Partisanship – David B. Spence

Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety – Lynne Sedgmore

Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth As Environmental Leaders – Angelou Ezeilo

Turf War: How a Band of Activists Saved new York From Donald Trump’s “Masterpiece” – Steven Robinson

The Black Power Movement – Peniel E. Joseph

Black Reconstruction in America– W.E.B. DuBois

Autocracy Inc.: The Dictators Who Want To Run The World – Anne Applebaum

Black Movements in America – Cedric Robinson

First and Only: A Black Woman’s Guide to Thriving at Work and in Life – Jennifer R. Farmer

Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color – Khristi Lauren Adams

Black Suffering: Silent Pain, Hidden Hope – James Henry Harris

The Enneagram for Black Liberation: Return to Who You Are Beneath the Armor You Carry – Chichi Agorom

Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way – Khristi Lauren Adams

You Mean It or You Don’t: James Baldwin’s Radical Challenge – Jamie McGhee and Adam Hollowell

White Malice: THE CIA and the Covert Recolonization of Africa –  Susan W