Without realizing it, we chose our books well for the year we now find ourselves in. Rules for Radicals, What if We Get it Right, Not the End of the World, The Upswing—we unintentionally packed our shelves (and digital libraries) with books about civil society, organizing, effective activism, informed optimism, and how to carry on when things seem grim.

Not all of the books we read last year were new, but all of them were new to us, and all of them offered important or inspiring insight about where we've been and where we're—hopefully—going.

We hope you and yours will find them valuable as we venture into this brave new year together.

What If We Get It Right?
by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

One of our favorite genres at AGO is informed optimism—particularly about climate—and this is the guiding concept behind Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's latest book, What If We Get It Right? As the title suggests, Johnson presents the reader with a series of interviews with experts working on different climate solutions that can lead us to a brighter future.

“Dr. Johnson moves beyond hope to focus on actionable strategies for climate solutions in this series of conversations. The book confronts the sober realities and significant changes needed in our daily lives and asks us to rethink what we consider to be a happy and fulfilling future. It invites readers to embrace the hard work ahead and imagine new ways of living in harmony with nature and climate goals." —Carla Yuen, Strategy Director

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)

Our Secret Society by Tanisha C. Ford

Successful movements require funds, and Our Secret Society goes into fascinating detail about Mollie Moon, a little-known hero and benefactor of the civil rights movement in the United States, and the "luncheons, galas, cabarets, traveling exhibitions[...], Negro press, and titans of industry" that made it all possible. It is an engrossing biography—both of a person, and of a movement.

“Volunteers need to eat. Organizers need to be paid. It took billions of dollar to fight Jim Crow laws and pass the Civil Rights Act. This book reminds us that we need to break the taboo about talking money if we want to bring more resources to our movements.” —Prab Laoharojanaphan, Program Director, Thailand

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)

Practical Radicals by Deepak Bhargava & Stephanie Luce

Especially in this moment of intense political tribalism in the United States and around the world, people working for positive social change need all of the expert advice they can get. This book is, among other things, full of practical advice for consensus and coalition building. Drawing on case studies of real, successful grassroots movements, it provides, as Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal says on the dust jacket, "a clear, expert, and inspiring guide to social change."

“Practical Radicals is a must read for anyone eager to learn about the strategies currently at the forefront of effective movement building. At AGO, it inspired us to think differently about developing coalitions that truly build collective power and turn bold visions into operationalizable progress." —Maud Pernet, Strategy Consultant, Program Incubation

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Audible (audiobook)

Cassandra Speaks
by Elizabeth Lesser

The Cassandra referenced in the title of Elizabeth Lesser's book, Cassandra Speaks, is a tragic figure of Greek mythology: a priestess given the gift of accurate prophesy and the curse of never being believed. A fitting metaphor for the way women have been systematically sidelined and written out of history, power, and culture for millennia, as Lesser explains. But this is a book about looking forward, and Lesser arms readers with a new critical lens for examining the stories we've been told about, well, everything, and what happens when women reclaim the storyline.

"This is a powerful re-examination of our history as women, and an invitation to challenge the stories we've learned about all cultures, religions, and societies. It's an invitation to rethink what we've thought to be true." —Gillian O'Neill, Executive Director

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)

Not the End of the World
by Hannah Ritchie

Continuing our survey of the banner year for non-doomy climate books, Not the End of the World makes a compelling data-based case for why we we have ample reason for hope—carbon emissions per capita are down, deforestation peaked in the 80s, humans have gotten much more efficient at food production, and more. In this book, Hannah Ritchie goes deep on where the data has been misundersood or misinterpreted, where incredible progress has already been made, and what we can do to make sure the tide continues to turn in our favor.

"I think my main takeaway from Not the End of the World is that there are many truisms and dire predictions that I'd internalized without enough skepticism. I came away from it with the understanding that we're much closer to a positive tipping point than I'd realized—a comforting perspective in this moment of apocalyptic news and doomy algorithms." —Rachel Thomas, Senior Writer

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm

I Never Thought of It That Way
by Monica Guzman

In the style of other AGO favorites like The Persuaders and Saving Us, I Never Thought of It That Way encourages readers to approach people across the political aisle with grace and curiosity. In an approachable, conversational style, Monica Guzman (Senior Fellow for Public Practice at the very cool organization Braver Angels) puts forward a simple strategy for lowering the political temperature, building trust, healing the social fabric, and, ultimately, making space for common sense-making.

"We're living in a tricky moment for nuance. So many of our conversations happen in anonymous digital spaces that encourage us to be our worst selves. This book reminds us that there's a different, better way. It's a super interesting guide to being curious and making space for conversations with people who have views we disagree with." —Andrew Kessler, AGO co-founder

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)

Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit

At its core, Orwell's Roses is about many things, but one central theme is the idea of joy as an act of resistance—another favorite genre here at AGO. The book meanders through different chapters in Orwell's life, as well as other moments in time, geopolitics, and social movements. This book will please gardeners, fans of the great author, and those who will appreciate the sumptuousness of Solnit's writing.

"This book reveals a different side of Orwell—not just the political thinker, but someone who found deep meaning in beauty and the natural world. Planting a tree or a rose bush isn’t just about creating beauty in the present, it’s an act of hope for the future." —Mariana Botero, Strategy Lead

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)

The Fifth Estate by William H. Dutton

For all the flaws and chaos of digital spaces like social media, William H. Dutton argues that they are becoming the most important check on power, politics, and governance since the printing press enabled the rise of the the Fourth Estate in the eighteenth century. Dutton is an academic with a long list of impressive credentials—and he writes like one—but this book will interest anyone eager for a deep dive on democracy and the digital information ecosystem.

"At a time when digital discourse skews negative, The Fifth Estate is a refreshing reminder of the internet’s power to empower, connect, and drive positive change." —Rafa Teixeira, Creative Director

Where to buy it: Amazon

Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky

This book definitely falls into the category of "new to us," because Rules for Radicals has been a classic since its publication in the 1970s. The central question it asks the reader is: Do you want to talk about change, or do you want to make it happen? The author, Paul Alinsky, an activist and political theorist, also concerns himself with the kind and quality of the change we should aspire to. This book belongs on the shelf of every activist and radical. Better late than never, we say.

"Reading Rules for Radicals isn’t just about ideas, it’s about unlocking a way of thinking that challenges your assumptions, redefines the fight for justice, and encourages you to see the world through a lens of possibility, not limitation." —Marco Grasso, Senior Designer

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)

The Upswing by Robert D. Putnam

The Upswing is the sequel to another classic book, Bowling Alone, published in 2000, which was political scientist Robert Putnam's fascinating chronicle of the rise and fall of clubs in America, and all of the knock-on effects that had for American civil society, the social fabric, loneliness, and political polarization. Readers with less patience for academic prose may appreciate the documentary film about Putnam's work, Join or Die.

"In a time when society feels scattered, deunified, and overwhelmed by polarization and inequality, The Upswing offers a powerful reminder that we’ve been here before—and we found a way forward. By looking at how America transitioned in the past, as Putnam puts it, from a fragmented "I" society to a more unified "We" society, this book proposes that change is possible and provides a hopeful blueprint for how to get to a better place." —Laure de Dainville, Program Lead

Where to buy it: Bookshop.org, Libro.fm (audiobook)