Key Takeaways:
- The article discusses the current state of the world, marked by grief, anger, and division, and how reading can provide hope, understanding, and comfort in these challenging times.
- Prominent activists, writers, and thought leaders share their book recommendations for finding solace, inspiration, and intellectual strength in the face of adversity.
- The recommended books cover a range of topics, including environmentalism, social justice, feminism, and personal resistance, and offer a way to engage with the world’s problems and find ways to counter them.
- The article highlights the importance of reading and learning from the past to create a better future and to fight against the darkness that is creeping in.
- The recommended books include "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, "The Handmaid’s Tale" by Margaret Atwood, "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque, and "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela, among others.
Introduction to the Current State of the World
The world is currently facing numerous challenges, including environmental disasters, social injustices, and political upheavals. The recent antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney has added to the sense of grief, anger, and division that pervades the globe. As 2025 comes to a close, it is clear that the year has been marked by significant setbacks, including the Earth reaching its first "catastrophic" climate tipping point and the rise of autocracy in the US. In the face of such bleak realities, it can be tempting to look away and seek escape. However, it is also possible to face our fears and threats, and to find hope and inspiration in the words of others.
Bob Brown’s Recommendations
Environmental activist and writer Bob Brown recommends several books that offer a way to engage with the world’s environmental problems. His first recommendation is "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, a picture book that speaks to the importance of protecting the environment. Brown also suggests "12 Rules for Strife" by Jeff Sparrow and Sam Wallman, a comic book call to action and social unity, as well as "The Shortest History of Australia" by Mark McKenna, which offers a unique perspective on the country’s history. Additionally, Brown recommends "A Feeling For Nature" by Stanley Breeden, a memoir that explores the author’s interactions with nature, and "A Memory of Solferino" by Henry Dunant, which tells the story of the founding of the Red Cross.
Anna Funder’s Recommendations
Celebrated Australian author Anna Funder recommends books that offer a way to engage with the world’s problems, including social injustices and environmental disasters. She suggests "The Handmaid’s Tale" by Margaret Atwood, which explores the primal power move in all societies, and "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque, which offers a powerful anti-war message. Funder also recommends "How Fascism Works" by Jason Stanley, which shows how fascism is an extreme form of patriarchy, and her own book "Wifedom", which examines tyranny from below. These books offer a way to understand the world’s problems and to find hope and inspiration in the face of adversity.
Behrouz Boochani’s Recommendations
Award-winning Kurdish author and journalist Behrouz Boochani recommends books that offer a way to engage with the world’s problems, including personal and collective resistance. He suggests "Then The Fish Swallowed Him" by Amir Ahmadi Arian, which chronicles a political prisoner’s torture and survival in Tehran’s Evin prison, and "Whītiki, Mātike, Whakatika" by Te Waka Hourua, which follows a group of Māori activists in New Zealand. Boochani also recommends his own book "Freedom Only Freedom", a collection of essays about resistance and resilience, and the documentary film "Gulîstan, Land of Roses", which tells the story of female Kurdish fighters opposing Islamic State.
Kate Fullagar’s Recommendations
Nonfiction writer and historian Kate Fullagar recommends books that offer a way to engage with the world’s problems, including climate change and social injustices. She suggests "What We Can Know" by Ian McEwan, which explores the big questions of our epoch, and "What is Called Thinking in the Anthropocene?" by Liane Carlson, which makes a case for why studying thought matters. Fullagar also recommends anything written by Australian constitutional law academic Megan Davis, and Anna Funder’s "All That I Am", which offers a vision of a modern Australia that is decent and viable for refugees.
Thomas Mayo’s Recommendations
Union leader, justice advocate, and author Thomas Mayo recommends books that offer a way to engage with the world’s problems, including social injustices and personal resistance. He suggests "Because A White Man’ll Never Do It" by Kevin Gilbert, which exposes Australian race relations, and "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky, which offers wisdom on organizing and resistance. Mayo also recommends "Hegemony How-To" by Jonathan Smucker, "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela, and "Why We Can’t Wait" by Martin Luther King Jr., which offer inspirational messages and guidance for creating a better world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of reading and learning from the past to create a better future. The recommended books offer a way to engage with the world’s problems, including environmental disasters, social injustices, and personal resistance. By reading and learning from these books, we can find hope and inspiration in the face of adversity, and work towards creating a more just and equitable world. As the world faces numerous challenges, it is more important than ever to engage with the words of others, and to find ways to counter the darkness that is creeping in.
