This book does the work of several all in one. Peter Drucker gives us an historical materialist approach to the history of sexuality, an exploration of global queer politics, an analysis of the modern gay identity within the neoliberal context, and suggests a path to radicalizing queer politics and queering radical politics. An essential read for anyone invested in queer liberation.

Leslie Feinberg was both a poet and a theoretician. This book is a beautiful weaving together of personal narratives as well as queer history and theory. Feinberg shares with us in this book their vision for a radically transformed world and inspires us to believe it is possible. A true revolutionary whose words I will be returning to over and over again.

A wonderful book made no less great by its brevity. Farber does an amazing job at raising up Che‘s revolutionary and radically egalitarian politics while also being able to point out his very real short comings as a revolutionary leader. Exploring Che‘s bohemian, petit bourgeois upbringing and values that he carried throughout his life helped to shed light on these short comings and the very real limits to his politics.

This book is a serious deep dive into the Democratic 2020 primaries. Very much written for and by politicos with a focus on the who‘s who of the campaigns and the personalities of the leadership. It does, however, speak very well to how the Democratic Party establishment coalesced around the centrist candidate in a race being pulled to the left, and how they and events made sure he crossed the finish line.

This book is a deep dive into the experiences of the New Communist Movement of the 70s-80s, but starts with its roots in the 60s radicalism of the New Left. Elbaum‘s “Revolution in the Air” gives insight into the lives and struggles of people at a time of colonial revolutions in the global south, continued struggles around race in the US, and divisions in the Communist Bloc. An important read for the emerging left today.

This book is, in a word, magnificent. TJ Klune was able to make me tear up from his beautiful depiction of family and unconditional love on the same pages where he had me laughing at his deliciously dark humor. A true adventure!

The Bolsheviks Come to Power is a wonderfully deep dive into the personalities and events of the Russian Revolution of 1917. It challenges the western narrative of a coup lead by a small underground fringe, and what in 1976 was the Soviet narrative of an inevitable success of a uniform Bolshevik party. A stunning portrait of the complex events that inspired millions across the globe to believe a radically different world was possible.

Loved this adventure! So wonderful to explore the world that Django has created, and unravel the mysteries of the Chosen and the Ghouls in the ruins of a world they‘ve left behind to the humans. The story follows the divergent paths of a brother and sister who find themselves torn apart and set on conflicting paths charged by the those elusive, ancient civilizations. Cannot wait to read what happens next!

David Harvey does a fantastic job of explaining the ideology behind neoliberalism and its history for those like me without econ degrees. Thoroughly researched and accessible. In addition to his explanation of neoliberalism he also delves into its sibling, neoconservativism. Great analysis of both the policies of these “isms” and how they fit into the wider society and culture. Also worth reading for his helpful analysis of the Chinese economy.

So glad @LiteraryinLititz gave this rec!! Absolutely loved this debut novel by Alex Michaelides! This book is a wonderful and delightfully thrilling ride. Michaelides really dove into the world of psychotherapy to tell this story, and it adds so much. He is also beautifully inspired by Greek tragedies and myth in the creation of his characters‘ struggles. Not to mention the plot twist you won‘t see coming!! A must read.

Here Ellen Wood outlines the development of capitalist imperialism, comparing it to pre-capitalist modes of imperial power. An enlightening exploration of the paradoxes of increasingly global markets alongside the continued/increased relevance of nation-states, and the unique role of military power in today‘s struggle for hegemony. A critical read during what some are already calling a new Cold War between the US and China/Russia.

Aiden Thomas had an excellent story to tell in this book. A wonderful story about self-acceptance, family, friendship, and love. Of course the magic and adventure add to the fun as well! The story could have benefited from a first person or omniscient narration where we got to go deeper into these characters. The vast majority of this story is dialogue and it misses out on really bringing us along on the emotional journeys of the characters.

This is Wood‘s response to the “post-Marxist” intellectual movement of the 80‘s. While this particular tendency isn‘t still in vogue, replaced by the outright anti-Marxism of those who used to be “post-Marxist,” this work is still fantastic in its argument for the centrality of class in politics. Though the “post-Marxists” might be no more, many of their ideas survive in today‘s discourse and Wood‘s argument remains as relevant as ever.

Loved it! What can I say about Riley Sager that I haven‘t already?? The guy is a genius. He has a style that you can certainly identify in his books, but it doesn‘t make the stories he tells predictable. I did not see the twist in this story coming, and it has me ready to pick up another of his thrillers ASAP.

Beaud took on a challenge in this book, trying to synthesize 500 years of capitalism into a helpful and coherent narrative. Beaud‘s great strength is in the many sources he brings; providing dates, names, and economic figures which I found very helpful. It deserves a spot on the shelf on this count alone. However, it fell short for me where “The Origin of Capitalism” succeeded, in explaining the development of the relations of capital.

I took advantage of the Verso and Haymarket sales going during the holiday season to snatch up these lovelies! 📚 ❄️ ☕️ Very excited to dive into these in the not too distant future, I hope! 🤞

This book is hot! Thanks go to @BennettBookworm for the rec ❤️ A thrilling read with everything a scifi/fantasy fan could want; dragons, prophecy, the Cold War, and parallel universes. Patrick Ness has created a thrilling universe and a gripping mystery you won‘t want to end.

I am a huge Ellen Wood fan! Wood has such amazing skill as an historian. She refuses to offer tautologies or transhistorical assumptions to explain historical processes. I guarantee that reading this book will make you a better student of history if only by demonstrating the importance of asking the question, “is this theory assuming precisely what needs to be explained?” You‘ll be surprised by how often historians do just that! #nonficnovember

A fascinating and thought provoking anthology of writings by participants in the Trotskyist movement. They bring a lens shaped by their activism in the early years of the 30s and 40s as well as the revival of leftist politics in the 60s. A heartfelt portrayal of the movement, but not a romanticized one. The book ends with critical questions regarding the shortcomings of the Trotskyist movement that are worth taking note of. #nonfictionnovember

This was a little tougher than I expected! Can you spell November with book titles you have around the house?
Thanks for the challenge @EadieB !

Eric Williams wrote a watershed exploration of the critical role the slave trade and slavery in the West Indies played in the development of English capitalism. Williams was West Indian himself, and you can feel his connection to the material in the book. A fantastic work of historical materialism with critical insights that are still so relevant for today‘s struggles for liberation.

Loved it! Sager has such a great way of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. “Lock Every Door” is a wonderful thriller, with a surprisingly terrifying villain.

Three really fantastic books on racism and Black liberation. “From #blacklivesmatter to Black Liberation,” by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, was my favorite, with amazing historical and political analysis that is so needed. Cornel West wrote what felt like a prophetic call for America in “Race Matters.” And Ibram X. Kendi wrote equal parts memoir and politics, weaving them together to make a very moving and powerful work.

I have a problem!! I haven‘t finished all the books I already have and I go out and buy more... 🤷‍♂️ I just couldn‘t resist stopping in our local bookshop and comic book store when I was taking a walk yesterday, and decided to treat myself.

My parents just visited my husband and I, and brought boxes of my old stuff with them. We‘ve spent days going through the tons of books I had packed away after college. Managed to find these old friends! We used this “Basic Russian” textbook at my high school, and I bought my own copy in college, along with these others, when I thought I‘d try and pick it up again. Maybe it‘s time to give it another go?? 🤔😜 Maybe one day... 🤷‍♂️

This was my first horror/thriller novel and I loved it! I simply couldn‘t put it down until I finished it. Sager keeps you on the edge of your seat, both with high adrenaline scenes as well as unexpected twists and turns. There were so many points where I thought I had this book all figured out and Sager just pulled the lever on the trap door I didn‘t know I was standing on! I‘ll certainly be adding more of him to my reading list #blameitonlitsy

This will be my first Litsy-recommenced read, and I can‘t wait to start! It‘s also my first dip into the horror/thriller genre. 😬 Hopefully I‘m brave enough to see it through to the end! 😅

Neil Gaiman has an amazing talent for peeling back the layers of our ordinary reality to reveal a thrilling magical world just beneath it. In this book we get to accompany the unnamed narrator as he recalls the fantastic and dark experiences of his childhood. It‘s a wonderful story on what it means to be a child and what we lose in adulthood. A haunting and yet strangely comforting tale that I‘m sure I will want to revisit again and again.

This is my first book by N. K. Jemisin and I am totally in love. She has created such a fascinating and exciting world that is an adventure to explore. The book explores themes of prejudice, discrimination, power, and more that make it not only a pleasure but also a thought provoking read. Looking forward to continuing the journey!