The following are the top ten best books I’ve read since this time last year — in alphabetical order by the author’s last name because agonizing over a precise order would take all the fun out of remembering these books:
- The Haunted Forest Trilogy — Jarod Anderson (2024): A gentle, wonder-filled blend of nature writing, folklore, and encouragement to stay grounded and hopeful — perfect for seeking solace and imagination in these difficult times.
- Civil Resistance Tactics in the 21st Century — Michael Beer (2021)
A concise, practical guide to nonviolent resistance, offering concrete tools for organizing, mobilizing, and sustaining movements in the face of authoritarianism. - Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning — Peter Beinart (2025)
A courageous, timely reflection on moral responsibility and political conscience in our current ethical landscape. - Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present — Ruth Ben-Ghiat (2020)
A clear, historically grounded examination of how authoritarian leaders rise and maintain power—and the warning signs ‘we the people’ must watch for today. - You Better Be Lightning — Andrea Gibson (2021)
A luminous, emotionally honest poetry collection about love, illness, grief, and resilience—an antidote to despair and a reminder of our shared humanity. - Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know — Erica Chenoweth (2021)A highly accessible overview of the research showing why nonviolent movements often succeed, grounding activism in evidence rather than myth.
- Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age — Chip Conley (2024)
A hopeful, wisdom-rich reframing of aging that emphasizes purpose, growth, and reinvention at midlife and beyond. (I’m also a big fan of his book A Year of Wisdom.) - Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal — Mohammed El-Kurd (2025)
A piercing critique of narratives about Palestine, power, innocence, and resistance—demanding deeper moral clarity in an era of propaganda. - Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America — Elie Mystal (2025)
A sharp, engaging, and unapologetically progressive diagnosis of the legal structures harming our democracy, written with Mystal’s trademark clarity and fire. - The Wilderness That Bears Your Name — James Pearson (2024)
A contemplative exploration of nature, spirituality, and personal transformation—ideal for readers seeking meaning in uncertain and turbulent times.
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