You might like...
Books, podcasts, and more you might find interesting.
A round-up of what I’ve been reading and listening to lately. If you have questions, would like my opinion, have read it yourself, or would like to discuss it further, please leave a comment. I love discussing books, so feel free to chat away.
📚 Finished reading recently:
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
On the surface, it's a reflection on Israel's genocide of Palestinians through the lens of American and, more broadly, Western liberal support for the violence. It's really a deeper reflection on the self-interest, violence, apathy, and disconnection of the Western, liberal soul from the consequences of its power. 5/5 ⭐
Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read
The subtitle sums it up pretty well. The author shares the history of and provides commentary on the deep ties between the government and what is now commonly referred to as multi-level marketing or network marketing companies. She focuses on how these companies exploit vulnerable people and overstate or lie about the success of the schemes to encourage more people to sign up and spend.
Were it not for the significant donations and connections to political campaigns and candidates (that ultimately led to high-level positions in the government for leaders in the MLM industry), these schemes would almost certainly be illegal. I wish everyone had to read this book (or one of the similar books or podcast series on the topic) before deciding to sign up for these companies. 4.5/5 ⭐
Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael Lewis
A series of stories about everyday civil servants who have done amazing things. If we want to better appreciate what the government does for us, we need to understand who the government is and learn about the fantastic work it does with little fanfare.
This book was so good, not in a “suck you in, on the edge of seat” way but in a “feel good stories to know good people are doing great work for all the right reasons.” Every Congressperson should have to read 10 different versions of this book before deriding, firing, or belittling any civil servant. 5/5 ⭐
📚 Currently reading:
On Freedom by Timothy Snyder
Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life (several authors), a slow read that I will complete throughout the year as I follow along with the Slow Read book club from Pantsuit Politics
🫶🏼 Want to know what else I've been reading and what's on my TBR list? Follow me on Storygraph (the non-Amazon, woman-owned alternative to Goodreads).
🎧 Podcasts I loved:
The World’s Most Valuable Unused Resource on Freakonomics Radio - An interesting discussion on the concept of Time Banking, which is creating an economy based around the exchange of human labor valued by time instead of by dollars. In other words, you get ‘credits’ for hours of work you put into the community collective and then can get services and such back based on how much time you’ve “banked.” The idea has been around for a while, but it’s growing more popular now as AI threatens to take jobs from many humans, leaving them struggling to participate in an economy based on money they don’t earn without a job.
Reimagining Citizenship by Pantsuit Politics - This 30-day series of short podcasts and articles reflects on various aspects of being a good citizen in a democracy. What does it mean? What does it ask of us? What can we learn about citizenship by examining it through the lens of history? Each daily piece is short and thought-provoking.
🗞️ Interesting Articles and Notes:
The destruction of democracy is coming for us, but not as you might expect. What I think many Americans aren’t realizing is a real threat to freedom.
Community connections and local reliance will be sources of resistance. Here are a few “shop small” successes lately that feel lighter to discuss, yet reinforce the deep importance of building connections with our neighbors.
I hope we can all say this about being leaders and participants in activism against an oppressive government. “I have no desire to be chosen, but if I am forced to help lead the rise of the resistance, then I would do all I could to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly into the arena. I would keep doing the next needed thing. I would light someone else’s candle with my single flame.”
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